When choosing a web hosting provider or upgrading your current environment one key decision is often overlooked: the web server software. For many years, Apache has been the default engine powering cPanel-based hosting. But now, LiteSpeed is becoming the performance-driven alternative that hosting providers are offering to speed up websites, handle more traffic, and reduce server load.

If your hosting company offers both Apache and LiteSpeed, this article will help you and your clients understand the performance differences, use cases, and when it’s worth upgrading.

What Are Apache and LiteSpeed?

Apache HTTP Server is the oldest and most widely used open-source web server. It’s included in nearly every Linux hosting environment and integrates natively with cPanel.

LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) is a high-performance, drop-in replacement for Apache. It’s compatible with .htaccess, mod_rewrite, and mod_security, and it integrates seamlessly with cPanel. But unlike Apache, it’s proprietary and requires a license.

Key Differences: Performance, Features, and Usability

1. Speed & Concurrency

LiteSpeed consistently outperforms Apache in benchmarks, especially under high load. It uses an event-driven architecture, meaning it can handle thousands of concurrent connections with minimal memory usage. Apache, being process-based, struggles under high concurrency.

2. PHP Performance

LiteSpeed uses LSAPI, a custom PHP handler optimized for performance and security. It’s significantly faster than Apache’s mod_php or even PHP-FPM in real-world use cases.

Benefits include:

• Lower CPU usage

• Faster response times

• Better handling of sudden traffic spikes

3. Caching Support

LiteSpeed includes LiteSpeed Cache (LSCache), a built-in, server-level full-page cache for WordPress, Joomla, Magento, and other platforms.

With Apache:

• Caching typically requires third-party plugins (e.g., W3 Total Cache, WP Super Cache)

• Server-level caching is not native and usually slower

LSCache provides:

• Edge-side includes

• ESI block caching

• Smart purge rules

• Tight CMS integration

4. Security and Stability

Both servers support ModSecurity, IP throttling, and SSL/TLS.

LiteSpeed also:

• Automatically mitigates DDoS attacks

• Offers connection-level throttling

• Integrates with Imunify360 and cPanel security tools

Apache is secure but lacks built-in advanced protections without heavy configuration and additional modules.

5. Resource Usage

LiteSpeed is optimized for minimal RAM and CPU usage even under heavy loads.

6. Cost & Licensing

• Apache: Free and open-source

• LiteSpeed: Requires a license (cost varies by number of domains and RAM)

Many hosting providers absorb the cost of LiteSpeed for performance-oriented plans, offering it as a value-added feature or upgrade.

Which One Should You Choose?

Use Apache If:

• You’re on a tight budget and traffic is low to moderate

• You’re hosting small blogs or personal sites

• Your provider doesn’t offer LiteSpeed as an option

Choose LiteSpeed If:

• You run high-traffic WordPress or WooCommerce sites

• Page speed and SEO are a priority

• You want built-in caching without complex plugin setups

• Your site frequently experiences traffic spikes

Final Thoughts

LiteSpeed is quickly becoming the go-to solution for performance-focused hosting. While Apache remains a solid default, it can’t match LiteSpeed’s speed, scalability, and integrated caching for modern websites.

If your hosting plan supports LiteSpeed or offers it as an upgrade it’s a worthwhile investment for serious site owners, e-commerce stores, and agencies managing multiple high-performance websites.