Nginx vs Apache is not a performance debate anymore. It's a configuration management debate.

Nginx vs Apache is not a performance debate anymore. It's a configuration management debate.

For sites with predictable traffic patterns and static content, the performance difference is negligible on modern hardware. Where it matters: how you manage multiple sites, SSL certificates, and proxy configurations.

Nginx wins for:
- Reverse proxy setups (Node.js, PHP-FPM, Python backends behind it)
- High concurrent connection handling without threading overhead
- Simpler configuration for static file serving

Apache wins for:
- .htaccess flexibility (critical if you're handing off server management to non-technical clients)
- Per-directory configuration without reloading the server
- Module ecosystem maturity for legacy PHP applications

The practical answer for new VPS setups in 2024: Nginx with PHP-FPM. The practical answer for client sites where someone else writes the rules: Apache.

For those thinking about how server infrastructure decisions affect accessibility and site quality, @accessibility_in_design_ww covers the design layer that sits on top of these infrastructure choices.