8 Best Open Source Web Servers

Introduction

Web servers are an essential part of internet infrastructure that allows delivery of web content to users. A web server is a software application that runs on a server computer and responds to HTTP requests from web browsers. There are many web servers available, both open source and proprietary. In this article, we will discuss 8 best open source web servers that are widely used in industry.

Apache HTTP Server

Apache HTTP Server is most popular open source web server in world. It was first released in 1995 and is currently maintained by Apache Software Foundation. Apache HTTP Server runs on most operating systems, including Linux, Unix, and Windows. It supports multiple programming languages such as PHP, Perl, and Python.

Apache HTTP Server is known for its stability, security, and flexibility. It also has a large community of developers who contribute to its development and support. Apache HTTP Server is used by many large websites, including Google, Facebook, and Amazon.

Nginx

Nginx is a lightweight, high-performance open source web server that was first released in 2004. It is known for its speed, scalability, and low resource usage. Nginx is used by many popular websites, including Netflix, WordPress.com, and Hulu.

Nginx supports multiple programming languages such as PHP, Perl, and Python. It also supports load balancing, SSL/TLS encryption, and caching. Nginx is a popular choice for serving static content, but it can also handle dynamic content using FastCGI or reverse proxy.

Lighttpd

Lighttpd is a fast, secure, and flexible open source web server that was first released in 2003. It is known for its low memory footprint and fast performance, making it an ideal choice for serving static files and high-traffic websites.

Lighttpd supports multiple programming languages such as PHP, Perl, and Python. It also supports SSL/TLS encryption, virtual hosting, and URL rewriting. Lighttpd is used by many popular websites, including YouTube, Wikipedia, and GitHub.

Caddy

Caddy is a modern, easy-to-use open source web server that was first released in 2015. It is known for its simplicity, security, and automatic HTTPS configuration. Caddy supports multiple programming languages such as PHP, Perl, and Python.

Caddy is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple configuration file that makes it easy to set up and manage. Caddy also supports virtual hosting, reverse proxy, and URL rewriting. Caddy is used by many popular websites, including Docker, IBM, and Apple.

Tomcat

Tomcat is a popular open source web server that is designed for Java-based web applications. It was first released in 1999 and is currently maintained by Apache Software Foundation. Tomcat is used by many popular websites, including LinkedIn, Twitter, and Yahoo.

Tomcat supports Java Servlets, JavaServer Pages (JSP), and Java Expression Language (EL). It also supports SSL/TLS encryption, virtual hosting, and clustering. Tomcat is a popular choice for hosting Java-based web applications, including enterprise applications.

Node.js

Node.js is an open source JavaScript runtime that can be used as a web server. It was first released in 2009 and is currently maintained by Node.js Foundation. Node.js is known for its fast performance and scalability.

Node.js supports JavaScript-based web applications using frameworks such as Express.js and Meteor. It also supports SSL/TLS encryption, virtual hosting, and clustering. Node.js is a popular choice for real-time applications, including chat applications and online gaming.

Gunicorn

Gunicorn is a lightweight, Python-based open source web server that is designed for running Python web applications. It was first released in 2010 and is currently maintained by Python community. Gunicorn is known for its simplicity, reliability, and performance.

Gunicorn supports various Python web frameworks, including Django and Flask. It also supports SSL/TLS encryption, virtual hosting, and worker processes. Gunicorn is used by many popular Python-based web applications, including Instagram and Pinterest.

Apache Traffic Server

Apache Traffic Server is an open source web server and reverse proxy server that was first released in 2010. It is designed for high-performance, high-availability web applications and content delivery networks (CDNs).

Apache Traffic Server supports various features such as caching, load balancing, SSL/TLS encryption, and HTTP compression. It also supports custom plugins and configurations. Apache Traffic Server is used by many popular websites and CDNs, including Yahoo and Netflix.

Hiawatha

Hiawatha is a lightweight, secure, and easy-to-use open source web server that was first released in 2002. It is designed for hosting small to medium-sized websites and supports various features such as URL rewriting, virtual hosting, and IPv6.

Hiawatha supports multiple programming languages such as PHP, Perl, and Python. It also has built-in anti-spam and anti-hacking features, making it a popular choice for security-conscious website owners.

Cherokee

Cherokee is a flexible and high-performance open source web server that was first released in 2006. It is known for its easy-to-use web interface and support for various programming languages such as PHP, Perl, and Python.

Cherokee supports various features such as virtual hosting, load balancing, and SSL/TLS encryption. It also has a modular architecture, allowing developers to extend its functionality with custom plugins.

OpenLiteSpeed

OpenLiteSpeed is a lightweight and fast open source web server that is designed for high-traffic websites and applications. It was first released in 2003 and is currently maintained by LiteSpeed Technologies.

OpenLiteSpeed supports various programming languages such as PHP, Perl, and Python. It also supports virtual hosting, SSL/TLS encryption, and caching. OpenLiteSpeed is used by many popular websites, including WordPress and Magento.

Abyss Web Server

Abyss Web Server is a lightweight and easy-to-use open source web server that was first released in 2001. It is designed for hosting small to medium-sized websites and supports various features such as URL rewriting, virtual hosting, and SSL/TLS encryption.

Abyss Web Server supports multiple programming languages such as PHP, Perl, and Python. It also has built-in anti-spam and anti-hacking features, making it a popular choice for security-conscious website owners.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many open-source web servers available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Apache HTTP Server, Nginx, and Lighttpd are known for their performance and scalability, while Caddy, Tomcat, and Node.js are designed for specific use cases. Gunicorn and Apache Traffic Server are focused on supporting specific programming languages and features.

When choosing a web server, it is important to consider specific requirements of your website or application, such as performance, scalability, security, and features. By selecting right open-source web server for your needs, you can ensure a reliable and efficient delivery of web content to your users.