Apache, Nginx, OpenResty, OpenLiteSpeed, and Varnish
Configuring Nginx, Apache, OpenResty, OpenLiteSpeed, and Varnish per user in OpenPanel.
When creating a user, you can set the webserver type to be used:
- Apache
- Apache + Varnish
- Nginx
- Nginx + Varnish
- OpenResty
- OpenResty + Varnish
- OpenLitespeed
- OpenLitespeed + Varnish
Web servers comparison:
| Feature / Webserver | Apache | Nginx | OpenResty | OpenLiteSpeed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varnish Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .htaccess Support | Full | None (requires editing VHost files) | None (requires editing VHost files) | Full (with some limitations) |
| Multiple PHP Versions | Yes | Yes | Yes | No, just 1 version |
| Performance (static content) | Moderate | High | High | High |
| Performance (dynamic PHP) | Moderate | High | High | Very High |
| Ease of User Overrides | .htaccess or VHost Editor | Only via VHost Editor | Only via VHost Editor | .htaccess or VHost Editor |
| Memory Footprint | Moderate (~50–100 MB per process) | Low (~10–30 MB per worker) | Low (~15–40 MB per worker) | Moderate (~30–60 MB per process) |
| Docker Size | ~200 MB | ~120 MB | ~150 MB | ~1000 MB |
Notes:
- Memory / disk footprint values are approximate and depend on configuration and traffic.
- Varnish can offload static content, reducing webserver load significantly.
- With 'docker' module, users can switch webserver type anytime via Change Webserver Type page.
- OpenLiteSpeed is generally best for high-performance PHP apps that need .htaccess support.
Administrators can select the default webserver to be used from OpenAdmin > Settings > User Defaults page.
Apache
Apache can be assigned either to all new users by default or to individual users during account creation.
Set for a Single User
To set Apache for a single user during creation:
- Open the New User form.
- Under the Advanced section, select Apache as the webserver.
Tip: To enable Varnish for this user, simply turn Varnish Cache ON on the same page.
Set as Default
To make Apache the default for all newly created users:
- Go to OpenAdmin > Settings > User Defaults and select Apache as the default webserver.
Nginx
Nginx can be assigned either to all new users by default or to individual users during account creation.
Set for a Single User
- Open the New User form.
- Under Advanced, select Nginx as the webserver.
Tip: Enable Varnish Cache ON if you want to use Nginx + Varnish.
Set as Default
- Go to OpenAdmin > Settings > User Defaults and select Nginx as the default webserver.
OpenResty
OpenResty can be assigned either to all new users by default or to individual users during account creation.
Set for a Single User
- Open the New User form.
- Under Advanced, select OpenResty.
Tip: Turn Varnish Cache ON for OpenResty + Varnish.
Set as Default
- Go to OpenAdmin > Settings > User Defaults and select OpenResty as default.
OpenLiteSpeed
OpenLiteSpeed can be assigned either to all new users by default or to individual users during account creation.
Set for a Single User
- Open the New User form.
- Under Advanced, select OpenLiteSpeed.
Tip: Enable Varnish Cache ON to combine OpenLiteSpeed with Varnish.
Set as Default
- Go to OpenAdmin > Settings > User Defaults and select OpenLiteSpeed as default.