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Web Server Market Share: Surprising Trends and Forecasts

The world of web servers is constantly evolving, with fierce competition among industry giants such as Nginx, Apache, and Microsoft.

But beyond these household names lies a dynamic landscape of companies vying for a slice of the market share.

From the rise of Cloudflare and LiteSpeed to the emergence of OpenResty, this article will delve into the latest trends, updates, and rankings that shape the fascinating web server industry.

Join us on this journey as we uncover the secrets behind the ever-changing web server market share.

web server market share

According to the latest data in January 2023, the web server market share is as follows: Nginx holds the largest market share with 26.11%, followed by Apache with 20.63%, and Cloudflare with 9.91%.

In terms of active sites, Cloudflare leads with 21.64%, followed closely by Apache with 21.40%, and then Nginx with 21.20%.

Furthermore, Nginx is the preferred choice among web server developers, with a market share of 38.67%, while Apache holds 27.33% and Microsoft lags behind with 10.46%.

Overall, Nginx, Apache, and Cloudflare are the major players in the web server market.

Key Points:

  • Nginx holds the largest market share with 26.11% in the web server market.
  • Apache follows closely with 20.63% market share.
  • Cloudflare is also a major player with 9.91% market share.
  • In terms of active sites, Cloudflare leads with 21.64% market share.
  • Apache closely follows with 21.40% market share.
  • Nginx is the preferred choice among web server developers with a market share of 38.67%.

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💡 Did You Know?

1. The highest recorded web server market share ever achieved was by Apache HTTP Server in 2009, reaching a staggering 69.09% worldwide.
2. In recent years, the web server market share has seen a significant shift towards NGINX, a lightweight, high-performance server. As of now, NGINX holds around 36.72% of the global market share.
3. Despite being the second-most commonly used web server, Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) commands a remarkable hold on the Enterprise market, with a market share of more than 45% in that sector.
4. The web server market share is heavily influenced by the type of websites hosted. For example, Apache is more popular among open-source, community-driven projects, while Microsoft IIS is commonly chosen for Windows-based applications.
5. The web server market share can vary significantly across different regions. For instance, while Apache dominates in Europe, Nginx has a stronger presence in Asia. This regional diversity reflects the preferences and technological landscapes in different parts of the world.


Overall Statistics Of Web Servers Surveyed

The web server market is a dynamic and ever-changing landscape, with millions of websites and domains across the globe. In May 2023, a survey of web-facing computers revealed an astounding 1,109,384,426 sites hosted across 271,534,718 domains, all managed by 12,037,194 computers. This data highlights the sheer scale and complexity of the web server market.

  • The web server market is constantly evolving.
  • There are millions of websites and domains worldwide.
  • As of May 2023, there were over 1 billion sites hosted.
  • These sites were spread across more than 270 million domains.
  • The management of this vast network is handled by over 12 million computers.

“The web server market is a highly competitive and rapidly growing industry, driven by the ever-increasing demand for online presence and data hosting.”

Decrease In Sites, Domains, And Computers For Microsoft

Microsoft, a prominent player in the web server market, experienced a decline in several key metrics. In May 2023, the company lost 495,099 sites, 210,670 domains, and 12,303 web-facing computers. This decrease could indicate a shift in preference among website owners and administrators towards alternative web server solutions.

  • Microsoft experienced a decline in key metrics in May 2023:
  • 495,099 sites
  • 210,670 domains
  • 12,303 web-facing computers
  • This decline suggests a potential shift in preference among website owners and administrators towards alternative web server solutions.

“Any shift in preference within the web server market has the potential to impact the overall landscape of the industry.”

Litespeed Gains Domains And Increases Total Websites

LiteSpeed, a high-performance web server software, experienced significant growth during the survey period. It gained an impressive 202,283 domains, highlighting its appeal among website operators. Furthermore, LiteSpeed also saw an increase in total websites, solidifying its position as a rising star in the web server market.

  • LiteSpeed gained 202,283 domains during the survey period
  • It showcased its appeal among website operators
  • The software saw an increase in total websites, solidifying its position as a rising star

“LiteSpeed is proving itself as a strong contender in the web server market.”

Openresty Gains Sites But Loses Domains

OpenResty, a popular choice for building high-performance web applications, had mixed results in terms of market share. It gained sites, but there was a decline in the number of domains it served. This suggests a potential narrowing of focus or a shift in OpenResty’s target audience within the web server market.

Losses In Sites, Domains, And Computers For Nginx

Nginx, a widely acclaimed open-source web server software, faced setbacks in May 2023. The web server witnessed declines in sites, domains, and web-facing computers. However, it’s important to note that this was the first time Nginx experienced growth in the number of sites since August 2022, suggesting a potential recovery in the near future.

Growth In Sites And Domains For Cloudflare

Cloudflare, a prominent content delivery network (CDN), achieved substantial growth during the survey period. The company experienced an increase in the number of sites and domains it served, reinforcing its position as a major player in the web server market. Cloudflare’s ability to mitigate large denial-of-service attacks has further solidified its reputation as a reliable and secure web server solution.

Comparison Of Nginx And Cloudflare’s Market Share For Sites

When it comes to market share of websites, a notable competition can be seen between Nginx and Cloudflare. While Nginx holds a larger share of websites overall, it is Cloudflare that dominates in the top million sites. This fact highlights Cloudflare’s ability to consistently serve the busiest and most high-profile websites, showcasing its reliability and performance even in demanding scenarios.

Losses In Market Share For Nginx, Apache, And Microsoft

The survey revealed that Nginx, Apache, and Microsoft all experienced a decline in market share for web-facing computers. This implies a shifting landscape within the web server market, with other solutions gaining traction among website operators. The reasons behind these losses vary and could be attributed to factors such as evolving technologies, changing user preferences, and emerging competition.

Ranking Of Web Server Market Share: Nginx, Apache, Microsoft

Based on the survey results, Nginx maintains the largest market share among web servers, with Apache and Microsoft following closely behind. This ranking emphasizes Nginx’s dominant position in the sector and its success in keeping a stronghold in a competitive market. While Apache and Microsoft face some challenges in terms of market share, they still remain significant players in the web server arena.

Cloudflare Becomes Top Web Server For Busiest Sites

In January 2023, Cloudflare achieved a significant milestone by surpassing both Apache and Nginx to become the top web server for the million busiest sites. This shift in dominance can be attributed to Cloudflare’s commitment to providing scalable and reliable web server solutions. With a market share of 21.64%, Cloudflare solidifies its position as a reliable choice for high-traffic websites.

The company’s rise began in February 2021 and continued to gain momentum, replacing Nginx with Pingora in September 2022. This move further strengthened Cloudflare’s capabilities and further cemented its position as a leading web server provider.

The web server market is highly dynamic, with constant fluctuations in market share. While some web servers face losses and challenges, others experience significant growth and ascendancy. The continuous evolution of technology, changing user preferences, and emerging competition contribute to the shifting landscape of the web server market.

  • Cloudflare surpassed both Apache and Nginx to become the top web server for the million busiest sites.
  • Cloudflare’s market share is 21.64%.
  • Cloudflare provides scalable and reliable web server solutions.
  • Cloudflare’s rise began in February 2021 and gained momentum.
  • Cloudflare replaced Nginx with Pingora in September 2022, further strengthening its capabilities.
  • The web server market is highly dynamic with constant fluctuations in market share.

FAQ

Which is the most commonly used web server?

Apache HTTP Server is widely recognized as the most commonly used web server in the world. With a staggering 52% market share, it surpasses all other competitors by a significant margin. Renowned for its versatility, Apache can run on multiple operating systems, including Linux, OS X, and Windows. What sets Apache apart is its open-source nature, as it operates under the Apache License version 2, facilitating the continuous growth and development of the server.

What is the market share of Apache Web server?

Apache Web server holds a significant market share of 13.25% in the web-and-application-servers market. Engaging in competition with 135 other tools in the same category, Apache faces tough rivals such as Nginx, which commands the largest market share of 40.99%, followed closely by OpenResty at 13.46%. Nonetheless, Apache’s market position remains strong with its market share standing at 12.76%.

What is the market share of IIS web servers?

While Microsoft IIS has a respectable market share of 7.91% in the web-and-application-servers market, it faces tough competition from 135 other tools in the same category. In particular, Nginx holds the largest market share at 40.99%, followed by OpenResty at 13.46%, and Apache at 13.25%. Despite the fierce competition, Microsoft IIS continues to maintain a significant presence in the market and remains a viable option for web and application servers.

Does anyone still use IIS?

Despite the moderate market share of 5.2%, Microsoft-IIS continues to be utilized by a substantial number of websites. This enduring presence suggests that there are still organizations or individuals who find value in using IIS as their web server. Despite the variety of available options, IIS may appeal to certain users due to its integration with other Microsoft technologies and its extensive support resources, which may continue to attract those seeking a reliable and familiar web server solution.