LiteSpeed Web Server
Double your capacity and eliminate 3rd party caching layers with our Apache alternative.
Securely handle thousands of concurrent clients while consuming minimal memory and CPU.
Install LiteSpeed Web Server and replace Apache in 15 minutes with zero downtime!
Experience the LiteSpeed Difference
Can the software you run make that much of a difference? Yes, it can.
Our lightweight Apache alternative conserves resources without sacrificing performance, security, compatibility, or convenience.
Double the maximum capacity of your current Apache servers with LiteSpeed Web Server's streamlined event-driven architecture, capable of handling thousands of concurrent clients with minimal memory consumption and CPU usage.
Protect your servers with already familiar ModSecurity rules while also taking advantage of a host of built-in anti-DDoS features, such as bandwidth and connection throttling.
Conserve capital by reducing the number of servers needed to support your growing hosting business or online application.
Reduce complexity by eliminating the need for an HTTPS reverse proxy or additional 3rd party caching layers.
Main Features
LiteSpeed Web Server is a drop-in replacement for Apache, and can load Apache configuration files directly. It can be used with any control panel that was designed for Apache, including cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin. LiteSpeed is not a frontend proxy, but a complete replacement, featuring more efficient engines for popular Apache features, like Rewrite and ModSecurity. Replace Apache with LiteSpeed Web Server in less than 15 minutes with zero downtime and litte-to-no need for retraining!
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HTTP/2, QUIC, HTTP/3
Reliable support for new technologies before anyone else -
Event Driven Architecture
Fewer processes, less overhead, and enormous scalability -
Cutting-Edge HTTP/3 Support
Most up-to-date, best performing HTTP/3 implementation -
Apache Drop-in Replacement
Reads Apache config files directly, supports .htaccess, WAF -
Asynchronous ModSecurity
Processes popular ModSecurity rulesets with maximum efficiency -
Control Panel Compatible
Integrates with cPanel, Plesk, DirectAdmin, CyberPanel, and more -
CloudLinux Integration
Supports LVE, CageFS, PHP/Ruby/Python Selector -
Unlimited Connections
Features support for unlimited concurrent connections -
LSCache Engine with ESI
Advanced server-level cache with hole-punching through ESI -
Namespace Containers
Provide controlled sandboxed environments with no overhead -
Firewall Controller
Blocks detected robots at the firewall level -
Mass Hosting Support
Dynamic vHost setup through Redis backend or Rewrite Rules -
HA for Redis Dynamic vHost
High Availability for Redis dynamic virtual hosts -
HTTPS / TLSv1.3 Certificate
Certificate compression, reduced handshake exchange data size -
SSL Handshake Offloading
Offloading to avoid clogging server main event loop -
Server-Level reCAPTCHA
Defends against Layer-7 DDoS attacks of any size -
Ruby / Python / NodeJS
Support for Ruby, Python, and NodeJS apps in Native configuration -
Zero-Downtime Maintenance
Allows graceful restart and software update with zero downtime -
One-Click Cache Acceleration
Mass deploy LSCache for all WordPress across entire server -
Fastest PHP Available
LSPHP with suEXEC outperforms PHP-FPM in every way
HTTP/3 Support
LiteSpeed is the first to provide a production-ready implementation of this new Internet protocol, previously known as HTTP-over-QUIC.
Learn more about HTTP/3 and LiteSpeed's pioneering efforts here!
Compare LiteSpeed to Apache and nginx
Looking for a new web server? Here's everything you need to know.
Control Panel Plugins
LiteSpeed Web Server is compatible with all control panels written for Apache. For some of the most popular panels, we have developed plugins to allow you to handle common LiteSpeed Web Server processes from within the panel.
Our control panel plugins are currently available for cPanel, Plesk and Direct Admin.
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Easy Installation
Install and Uninstall LiteSpeed Web Server -
Version Management
Upgrade LSWS to latest version, switch between versions -
Port Offset
Fully test web apps by running LSWS on a different port -
One-Click Switch
Easily switch between Apache and LSWS with one click -
PHP LSAPI
Build PHP with LSAPI to match your Apache PHP -
Server Restart
Restart your LiteSpeed Web Server -
License Management
Check license status, migrate licenses, and more -
WebAdmin Portal
Easy access to LiteSpeed WebAdmin console
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LiteSpeed Web Server?
LiteSpeed Web Server is a drop-in Apache replacement and the leading high-performance, high-scalability server from LiteSpeed Technologies. You can replace your existing Apache server with LiteSpeed without changing your configuration or operating system details. As a drop-in replacement, LiteSpeed allows you to quickly eliminate Apache bottlenecks in 15 minutes with zero downtime. LiteSpeed's expansive range of features and easy-to-use web administration console are an asset to any effective web hosting infrastructure.
Three different types of licenses are available for LiteSpeed Web Server: Free Starter, Site Owner and Web Host. Please visit our LiteSpeed Web Server pricing page to choose the best license for your needs.
How will my system benefit by using LiteSpeed Web Server?
Depending on specific server setup, each system may benefit differently. Overall, our customers tell us they enjoy significant decreases in server load and measurably faster site loading times. Other benefits include increased security, reduced hardware costs, ease of upgrade from Apache, and increased customer satisfaction. Plus, LiteSpeed’s caching plugins for the major CMS’s (WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, PrestaShop, Magento, OpenCart and more) make speeding up your sites a breeze.
Is LiteSpeed Web Server Secure?
LiteSpeed takes security seriously. The Web Server is mod_security compatible, and comes equipped with cutting-edge anti-DDoS features to stop attackers before they cause serious problems.
Is LiteSpeed Web Server Cost Effective?
When you switch from Apache to LiteSpeed Web Server, you do incur the cost of a license, but this is typically far below the expense of the hardware upgrade that would be required to get the same performance improvements under Apache.
How often does LiteSpeed Web Server come out with new versions?
We don’t have a set time between each version, but we do like to keep on top of cutting edge technologies so we release new versions often. Check out our release log.
Does LSWS work on VPS’s?
Yes, you can use LiteSpeed Web Server on a VPS.
How does LiteSpeed Web Server compare to Apache and nginx?
LiteSpeed Web Server was built from the ground up to encorporate the best of both worlds: an event-driven architecture like nginx, and Apache .htaccess compatibility.
Being event-driven, LiteSpeed Web Server consumes fewer resources than Apache's process-based model, leading to better performance. LSWS has the ability to serve thousands of clients simultaneously with minimum memory and CPU usage. Sudden traffic spikes are no problem for LiteSpeed Web Server. And because LiteSpeed can read Apache configuration files directly (unlike nginx), LiteSpeed Web Server is thus compatible with control panels written for Apache. Switching from Apache can be done in 15 minutes.
For more info, please visit our Compare LiteSpeed Web Server vs. Apache vs. nginx page.
Does LiteSpeed Enterprise work with CyberPanel?
Yes, LiteSpeed Enterprise does work with CyberPanel. Please see the CyberPanel Guide for more information, or order the LSWS CyberPanel bundle to get started.
What control panels is LiteSpeed Web Server compatible with?
LiteSpeed Web Server can be used with any Apache-compatible control panel, such as cPanel, Plesk and Direct Admin.
