Apache vs Nginx Performance Comparison

In this article, we will compare the performance of Apache and Nginx, two of the most popular web servers used in production environments. We will benchmark their performance using multiple tests, including serving static content, reverse proxying, and load balancing.

Test Design

For this benchmark, we will use three tests to evaluate the performance of Apache and Nginx. The first test will evaluate the performance of both web servers when serving static content over HTTP. The second test will evaluate their performance when serving static content over HTTPS using TLS certificates. The third test will evaluate their performance as reverse proxies and load balancers.

Implementation Overview

For each test, we will deploy both Apache and Nginx on dedicated virtual machines (VMs) with identical hardware configurations. We will use a Kubernetes cluster to generate load and simulate traffic to both web servers. We will collect metrics on the performance of both web servers, including latency, throughput, and CPU usage.

1st Test: Serving Static Content over HTTP

In this test, we will serve a static website generated with React, which compiles to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. We will use plain HTTP protocol and enable compression on both web servers. We will generate load using a Kubernetes cluster and measure the latency and throughput of both web servers.

2nd Test: Serving Static Content over HTTPS

In this test, we will serve the same static website over HTTPS using TLS certificates. We will set up a private certificate authority and issue certificates to both web servers. We will enable HTTP/2 protocol and measure the latency and throughput of both web servers.

3rd Test: Reverse Proxying and Load Balancing

In this test, we will use both web servers as reverse proxies and load balancers. We will deploy two application replicas behind each proxy and use round-robin to distribute traffic across the applications. We will measure the latency and throughput of both web servers.

Results

The results of the tests are as follows:

• In the 1st test, Nginx outperforms Apache, serving more requests per second and having lower latency.
• In the 2nd test, Apache performs better than Nginx, serving more requests per second and having lower latency.
• In the 3rd test, Apache outperforms Nginx, serving more requests per second and having lower latency.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the performance of Apache and Nginx varies depending on the specific use case. Nginx performs better when serving static content over HTTP, while Apache performs better when serving static content over HTTPS and when used as a reverse proxy and load balancer. These results are surprising and warrant further investigation.