SHSelfHostIndex

Apache HTTP Server vs Nginx Proxy Manager

A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted reverse proxy & gateways options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.

Not the right match-up?
AP Apache HTTP Server The world's most widely used web server VS NG Nginx Proxy Manager Easy reverse proxy management with a web UI and free SSL
FeatureApache HTTP ServerNginx Proxy Manager
CategoryReverse Proxy & GatewaysReverse Proxy & Gateways
LicenseApache-2.0MIT
LanguageCTypeScript
Setup difficultyMediumEasy
Min. RAM128 MB256 MB
Deploymentdocker, binary, bare-metaldocker
GitHub stars★ 4,050★ 33,804
First released19952019
ReplacesNginx, IISCloudflare

Why pick each one

Choose Apache HTTP Server if…

  • Released under the Apache-2.0 license
  • First-class Docker support for quick deployment
  • Active community (4k GitHub stars)
  • Written in C
Apache HTTP Server details

Choose Nginx Proxy Manager if…

  • Beginner-friendly
  • Free certificates built in
Nginx Proxy Manager details

Frequently asked questions

Is Apache HTTP Server or Nginx Proxy Manager better?

Nginx Proxy Manager is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Apache HTTP Server if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are Apache HTTP Server and Nginx Proxy Manager free and open-source?

Yes. Apache HTTP Server is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Nginx Proxy Manager under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run Apache HTTP Server and Nginx Proxy Manager with Docker?

Apache HTTP Server: yes. Nginx Proxy Manager: yes.

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