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Apache HTTP Server vs HSTS

Based on 461 and 2599 real audits

View Apache HTTP Server details | View HSTS details
MetricApache HTTP ServerHSTSWinner
Performance5048Apache HTTP Server
Accessibility8789HSTS
Best Practices8888Tie
SEO9091HSTS
Security6570HSTS
TTFB550ms365msHSTS
Composite7375HSTS
Performance
Apache HTTP Server
50
HSTS
48
Accessibility
Apache HTTP Server
87
HSTS
89
Security
Apache HTTP Server
65
HSTS
70
SEO
Apache HTTP Server
90
HSTS
91
Composite
Apache HTTP Server
73
HSTS
75

HSTS outperforms Apache HTTP Server in 5 of 7 categories, with a stronger composite score (75 vs 73). Apache HTTP Server leads in performance.

When to choose Apache HTTP Server

Choose Apache HTTP Server when your primary concern is performance. Its audit data shows consistent strength in these areas across the sampled sites.

When to choose HSTS

Choose HSTS when your primary concern is server response time and security. Its audit data shows consistent strength in these areas across the sampled sites.

How this comparison was built

Scores are medians across 461 audited Apache HTTP Server sites and 2599 audited HSTS sites in the BeaverCheck database. Every audit runs the same 100+ checks — Lighthouse performance, security headers, accessibility, SEO, server response time — against a real URL. No vendor input, no sponsorship, no affiliate links. Read the full methodology →

FAQ

Which is faster, Apache HTTP Server or HSTS?
Based on real BeaverCheck audits, Apache HTTP Server sites score higher on Lighthouse performance (50 vs 48 on average).
Which has better security, Apache HTTP Server or HSTS?
HSTS sites score higher on security analysis (70 vs 65 on average).
Which has better accessibility, Apache HTTP Server or HSTS?
Accessibility scores measured by Lighthouse WCAG 2.1 checks favor HSTS (89 vs 87). Both technologies can be made fully accessible with care — the difference reflects common patterns in the sampled sites, not inherent platform limits.
Which is better for SEO, Apache HTTP Server or HSTS?
HSTS sites score higher on Lighthouse SEO signals (91 vs 90 on average), which cover meta tags, crawlability, mobile friendliness, and structured data. Content strategy and backlinks still matter more than platform choice for ranking.
Which has faster server response (TTFB), Apache HTTP Server or HSTS?
HSTS sites show lower Time to First Byte (365 ms vs 550 ms on average). TTFB depends heavily on hosting and CDN setup rather than the technology itself, but the sampled sites suggest a meaningful difference in common deployment patterns.
Should I choose Apache HTTP Server or HSTS for my website?
Both platforms have trade-offs. Apache HTTP Server scores higher on overall composite score while Apache HTTP Server may excel in metrics you care about most. Run a free BeaverCheck audit on a real site using each to compare the metrics relevant to your use case.
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