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One of the names often heard in web servers is Nginx. This open-source software, developed initially to solve traditional web servers’ performance problems, has become one of the most popular options for launching and managing websites. This article will examine Nginx, its uses, and how it compares to competitors such as Apache, LiteSpeed, and Caddy.

What is a web server?

When you visit a website, type its address into your browser and press Enter. But behind the scenes, an essential piece of software is responsible for responding to your requests. This software is the web server.

A simple definition of a web server

A web server is software that receives user requests (via browsers), processes them, and sends the appropriate response, usually in the form of HTML pages, CSS/JS files, or images, to the user.

In simpler terms, a web server is like a waiter at a restaurant who takes your order (a web page request), takes it to the kitchen (the server or application), and brings you the food (the desired page).

How does a web server work?

1. The user enters the site address (e.g., example.com)
2. The browser sends a request to the server via the HTTP or HTTPS protocol
3. The web server receives this request and checks what page is being requested
4. If the corresponding file exists (or via a backend application), it prepares a response
5. The response is sent to the browser, and the user can see the site content

What files do web servers usually serve?

• HTML files
• Styles (CSS)
• JavaScript scripts (JS)
• Images and multimedia files
• API data in JSON or XML format

Types of web servers

• Apache – old and powerful, with broad support
• Nginx – lightweight, fast, and suitable for high traffic
• LiteSpeed ​​– high-performance, especially for WordPress
• Caddy – modern and easy to set up
• Microsoft IIS – for Windows

Hardware or software?!

Sometimes, the term “web server” is also used to mean hardware (e.g., the computer on which the website is hosted). But in most cases, when discussing a web server, we refer to the software installed on the server that manages requests.

Key role in web hosting

Without a web server, no site will load—all hosting systems, whether shared, dedicated, or cloud, work based on a web server.

What is Nginx?

Nginx (pronounced “Engine-X”) is an open-source, high-performance web server developed in 2004 by Igor Sysoev. Initially, its purpose was to solve the problem of Load Handling, or managing a high load on the server. As a web server, Nginx is used as a Reverse Proxy, Load Balancer, Mail Proxy, and HTTP Cache.

Main Uses of Nginx

Web Server

Nginx’s most important role is serving web pages to visitors. This web server is specifically designed for high performance and low resource consumption.

Reverse Proxy

Nginx can redirect user requests to other servers (such as application servers), increasing security and efficiency.

Load Balancer

Load Balancing distributes traffic across multiple servers and prevents excessive pressure on a particular server.

Mail Proxy Server

Nginx supports SMTP, IMAP, and POP3 protocols and can act as a Mail Proxy.

Static File Server

Serves static files such as HTML, CSS, JS, or images at high speeds.

Caching

With caching enabled, Nginx can store cached versions of pages to reduce user response time.

Read More: What Is a Tower Server?

Advantages of Nginx

• Breakneck response speed
• Low usage of server resources (RAM and CPU)
• High scalability for large projects
• Ability to work with containers (like Docker)
• Excellent support for HTTP/2 and TLS
• Active user community and complete documentation

When to use Nginx?

• If you need high speed and high traffic tolerance.
• If your website or application works in real-time (chat or live streaming).
• If you plan to use Load Balancing or Reverse Proxy.
• If you are looking for an open-source and scalable solution.

Nginx vs. Other Web Servers

Nginx vs. Apache

Apache is one of the world’s oldest and most widely used web servers. Although it is easier to configure and supports many modules, it performs poorly compared to Nginx under heavy loads and concurrent requests. In contrast, its event-driven architecture enables Nginx to handle thousands of simultaneous connections with much lower resource consumption. For this reason, it is a better choice for high-traffic sites.

Nginx vs. LiteSpeed

LiteSpeed ​​is swift and resource-efficient. It is also fully compatible with Apache configuration files. However, its full and professional version is not free and requires a license for commercial use. On the other hand, Nginx is entirely free and open source. Although its configuration may be a little more complicated, it offers similar or even better performance than LiteSpeed ​​in many applications.

Nginx vs. Caddy

Caddy is a modern, simple web server that supports HTTPS by default and automatically issues and renews SSL certificates. It’s an excellent choice for small projects or developers looking for a quick setup. But Nginx still comes out on top and offers a broader range of power, flexibility, and performance features on large projects.

What companies use Nginx?

Many tech giants and popular sites use Nginx:

• Netflix
• Airbnb
• GitHub
• Dropbox
• WordPress.com
• Twitch
• And even some Google services

Why do developers love Nginx?

• Fast and straightforward installation on Linux
• Strong support for professional configurations
• Docker and Microservices architecture support
• High security and extensive customization
• Large community and detailed documentation

Summary

Nginx is one of the world’s most powerful and widely used web servers. Due to its high speed, stability, and flexibility, it is used by many large websites such as Netflix, Dropbox, WordPress.com, and GitHub. If you want to launch a fast and reliable website, Nginx is one of your best choices.