Apache or Nginx, and what each suits.
APACHE
Mature, widely documented, and supports .htaccess files, which lets applications and users configure behaviour per directory without server access.
If you host applications expecting .htaccess, including most WordPress setups and shared-hosting-style environments, Apache is the straightforward choice.
NGINX
Efficient with many concurrent connections and lighter on memory. Configuration is central rather than per-directory, so no .htaccess.
Frequently used as a reverse proxy in front of an application server.
LITESPEED
Apache-compatible, including .htaccess, with better performance and built-in caching. Requires a licence.
BOTH TOGETHER
Nginx in front handling static files and proxying dynamic requests to Apache is a common arrangement. It combines Nginx's efficiency with .htaccess compatibility.
More moving parts to maintain.
WITH A CONTROL PANEL
The panel installs and configures the web server for you. Do not install one manually first.
CHOOSING
If unsure, and you run WordPress or similar, Apache or LiteSpeed. If you run a custom application and are comfortable configuring it, Nginx.
