LiteSpeed Web Server License
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A drop-in Apache replacement that reads existing configuration files while delivering higher concurrency and built-in caching.
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From$4.50/mo
LiteSpeedvsApache
LiteSpeed vs Apache
A commercial event-driven web server against the open-source process-based standard, compared on architecture, caching and cost.
Quick verdict
Apache remains a sound choice for low-traffic sites and environments where licensing cost is unacceptable. LiteSpeed is the stronger option under concurrency, and its built-in LSCache typically produces a larger real-world speed gain than any Apache tuning.
Apache is the long-standing default web server on Linux hosting. LiteSpeed is a commercial alternative built to read Apache's own configuration files, which makes it unusually easy to adopt: in most cases it can replace Apache without rewriting virtual hosts or .htaccess rules.
At a glance
Architecture
Connection handling
- LiteSpeed
- Event-driven — stronger on this point
- Apache
- Process or thread based (MPM dependent)
Performance
Behaviour under high concurrency
- LiteSpeed
- Maintains throughput with stable memory use — stronger on this point
- Apache
- Memory use scales with concurrent connections
Built-in page caching
- LiteSpeed
- LSCache included at server level — stronger on this point
- Apache
- Requires mod_cache or an external cache layer
Compatibility
Configuration format
- LiteSpeed
- Reads Apache httpd.conf and .htaccess
- Apache
- Native
Module ecosystem
- LiteSpeed
- Supports common Apache modules
- Apache
- Very large module ecosystem — stronger on this point
Cost
Licensing
- LiteSpeed
- Commercial, per server
- Apache
- Free and open source — stronger on this point
Protocols
HTTP/3 and QUIC
- LiteSpeed
- Supported — stronger on this point
- Apache
- Requires additional configuration or a proxy
Strengths and trade-offs
LiteSpeed
Strengths
- Higher throughput under concurrency
- Built-in server-level caching
- Drop-in Apache configuration compatibility
- HTTP/3 and QUIC support
Trade-offs
- Commercial license required
- Smaller module ecosystem than Apache
Best for: Busy dynamic sites, shared hosting servers, and WordPress or WooCommerce workloads.
Apache
Strengths
- Free and open source
- Very large module ecosystem
- Universal documentation and community support
- Available in every distribution's repositories
Trade-offs
- Memory use grows with concurrent connections
- No built-in full-page cache
- Requires more tuning to reach comparable throughput
Best for: Low-traffic sites, environments requiring specific Apache modules, and deployments where no licensing cost is acceptable.
Architecture
Apache traditionally allocates a process or thread per connection. That model is simple and robust, but memory use grows with concurrency. LiteSpeed's event-driven design handles many connections per worker, so memory stays roughly flat as concurrency rises.
Caching
LSCache serves cached pages at the server level, before PHP is invoked at all. For a dynamic CMS this usually produces a larger improvement than any amount of application-level caching, because the request never reaches the interpreter.
Which should you choose?
For a server hosting dynamic sites at any meaningful traffic level, LiteSpeed with LSCache generally delivers a performance improvement that justifies the license. For low-traffic or strictly zero-cost deployments, Apache remains entirely adequate.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to rewrite my configuration to move to LiteSpeed?
Usually not. LiteSpeed reads Apache configuration files and .htaccess rules directly, so most virtual hosts and rewrite rules keep working after the switch.
Can I roll back to Apache?
Yes. On cPanel servers the LiteSpeed plugin offers a one-click switch back, and the existing Apache installation remains in place.
Products compared
cPanel & WHM License
Instant activation
The industry-standard Linux hosting control panel, licensed without an account cap and bundled with Softaculous, SitePad and FleetSSL for the same server.
Popular
From$4.50/mo
Related guides
Advanced22 min
LiteSpeed Performance Tuning
Tune LSCache, compression and connection handling to get the most from a LiteSpeed server.
Intermediate15 min
How to Install LiteSpeed on cPanel
Replace Apache with LiteSpeed Web Server on a cPanel server, keeping your existing configuration.
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