Nginx + Apache vs Pure Apache on Shared Hosting: Real Speed Test Results

When it comes to shared hosting performance, server stack matters as much as hardware specs. You can have all the RAM in the world, but if your web server isn’t optimized for modern traffic patterns, you’re still leaving speed on the table.

That’s why at TD Web Services, we run Nginx in front of Apache on our Business Shared Hosting — a setup designed to combine Nginx’s raw static file speed with Apache’s flexibility. Today, we’re putting this to the test.

Why We Run Nginx in Front of Apache (Reverse-Proxy Cache)

In a traditional shared hosting setup, Apache handles every single request — static images, CSS files, HTML pages, PHP scripts — all of it. Apache is great for compatibility and .htaccess rules, but it’s not the fastest at serving static content.

Nginx, on the other hand, is a high-performance web server that’s built to handle static files at lightning speed.

When you use Nginx as a reverse proxy in front of Apache:

• Nginx serves cached pages and static assets directly from memory or disk.
  
• Apache only wakes up for dynamic content (like uncached PHP pages).
  
• The result? Faster TTFB (Time to First Byte), lower CPU load, and better handling of high traffic bursts.
  

We also enable Nginx micro-caching — which means even dynamic PHP-generated pages can be cached for a few seconds, dramatically reducing load during peak traffic.

Test Setup: Identical WordPress Sites, Same Server

To get an apples-to-apples comparison, we:

• Installed two identical WordPress sites with the same theme, same plugins, and same demo content.
  
• Hosted both sites on the same shared server with identical CPU, RAM, and PHP settings.
  
• Tested performance with GTmetrix (for page load metrics) and Loader.io (for concurrent user load testing).
  

One site ran Nginx + Apache (reverse-proxy with micro-cache).
The other ran pure Apache (no Nginx, no caching layer).

Results: Nginx + Apache Wins — By a Mile

Here’s the raw data from our tests:

Nginx + Apache: 220 ms TTFB, 250 concurrent users

• Page loads were visibly snappier.
  
• Server CPU stayed cooler under high load.
  
• Loader.io stress test handled double the concurrent users before slowdown.
  

Pure Apache: 420 ms TTFB, 120 concurrent users

• Higher initial response time.
  
• Slower LCP (Largest Contentful Paint).
  
• Struggled with traffic bursts, triggering higher server load averages.
  

How to Enable Nginx Cache in TDWS Business cPanel (One-Click Toggle)

If you’re on TDWS Business Shared Hosting, enabling Nginx caching is as easy as:

1. Log in to your cPanel.
   
2. Go to Nginx Cache Manager.
   
3. Toggle Enable Micro-Cache.
   
4. Save changes — done!
   

From that moment, Nginx will automatically cache eligible content and serve it instantly to visitors.

Clearing Cache & Common .htaccess Rules That Still Work

Worried about updating content and showing old versions? Clearing cache is easy:

• From Nginx Cache Manager, hit Clear Cache anytime.
  
• Or use the Purge Cache button in WordPress if you have the TDWS helper plugin installed.
  

Even with Nginx in front, your .htaccess rules for redirects, rewrites, and security headers will still work, because Apache still processes dynamic requests.

The Bottom Line

In our Nginx Apache shared hosting speed comparison, the hybrid stack won clearly:

• Nearly 2x faster TTFB
  
• Over 100% more concurrent user capacity
  
• Lower server load under stress
  

If you want shared hosting that can handle real-world spikes and still load fast, TD Web Services Business Shared Hosting includes Nginx micro-cache by default.

Open a ticket today for a free speed check on your site — let’s make it faster.