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Apache HTTP Server—often called Apache or Apache httpd—is open-source web server software. It receives requests from browsers and other clients, then returns website resources or passes requests to configured handlers that generate responses. It is software, not a website, programming language, domain registrar, or hosting company.
What Apache HTTP Server means
“Apache” can refer to many projects in the Apache Software Foundation ecosystem. In a web-server context, it usually means Apache HTTP Server, also known as Apache httpd. It is a configurable, modular program that runs in a server environment and handles HTTP requests.
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The word “server” can mean either the software that processes requests or the computer or environment where it runs. Apache httpd is the software; it can run on Linux, Windows, macOS, and most Unix-like systems. The Apache project describes its capabilities as including flexible configuration, TLS/SSL, authentication, access control, HTTP/2, caching, and reverse proxying. Which capabilities are available depends on the installation and its configuration.
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A browser uses a URL to request a resource. Apache receives the request, determines how it should be handled, and sends a response with a status code and, when appropriate, a response body. That response may contain a file or content generated by a program.
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- The client makes a request. A browser or other client connects to the server and asks for a resource.
- Apache maps the request. For static content, the
DocumentRootdirective identifies the filesystem location where website files are stored. - Apache returns or routes the result. It can serve a file directly or pass the request to a configured handler, such as a CGI program or another integration, to produce a dynamic response.
Apache’s text-based configuration uses directives to control how requests and content are handled. Some per-directory directives can also be placed in .htaccess files, often when a user cannot change the main server configuration.
How modules and MPMs fit in
Apache is modular: administrators can enable features by loading modules at build time or while the server runs. The Apache project reports “100+ modules” on its homepage, covering areas such as rewriting, proxying, load balancing, and scripting. This is the project’s stated figure, not an independent performance measure, and it does not mean every module is active in every installation.
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A Multi-Processing Module (MPM) handles low-level request processing, including binding to ports, accepting requests, and assigning work to workers. Apache loads only one MPM at a time. The project documents event, worker, and prefork as choices whose suitability depends on platform capabilities and compatibility needs; none is universally best for every workload.
What Apache is not
- Not Apache Tomcat or Apache Traffic Server: these are separate projects, not other names for Apache HTTP Server.
- Not a hosting company: Apache can run in a hosting environment, but the software itself does not provide hosting.
- Not a programming language or website: it handles web requests and content; other software may create dynamic responses.
Current version and support context
As of October 7, 2026, the Apache HTTP Server Project identifies version 2.4.69, released October 1, 2026, as its latest stable release and recommends it over previous releases. Release information changes, so check the official download page for the current version. The project advises verifying downloads with its published signatures and Apache KEYS file.
The 2.2 branch is end-of-life. Its final release was 2.2.34 in July 2017, and the project says that branch receives no further patches, bug fixes, or security updates. Apache describes the server as open source; consult the official documentation and the license text for precise licensing information.
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