Web server (Apache/Nginx)

A web server ✕ A server is a powerful computer that provides data or services to other devices — for example serving a website or storing your cloud files. More in the glossary → is the software that handles browser ✕ A browser is the program you use to open websites and surf the internet — such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. More in the glossary → requests and sends them your site’s pages; it should not be confused with the physical server (the machine), but is the program running on it. When someone types your address, the web server receives the request, locates or generates the page and returns it. The two most widespread are Apache, very flexible and classic, and Nginx, prized for its performance under heavy traffic ✕ Traffic is the amount of data your website transfers, determined by visitor numbers and page size. Some hosting plans cap monthly traffic. More in the glossary → ; some hosts use alternatives like LiteSpeed. The choice and configuration of the web server affect speed and how load is handled at peak times. On most hosting ✕ Web hosting is renting space on a server so your website is reachable around the clock. The host takes care of the technology, security, and availability. More in the glossary → this comes already tuned by the provider. Which providers offer the fastest configuration is covered in the best web hosting comparison.