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Apache HTTP Server vs HSTS

Based on 542 and 3294 real audits

View Apache HTTP Server details | View HSTS details
MetricApache HTTP ServerHSTSWinner
Performance5152HSTS
Accessibility8690HSTS
Best Practices8889HSTS
SEO9092HSTS
Security6773HSTS
TTFB647ms403msHSTS
Composite7478HSTS
Performance
Apache HTTP Server
51
HSTS
52
Accessibility
Apache HTTP Server
86
HSTS
90
Security
Apache HTTP Server
67
HSTS
73
SEO
Apache HTTP Server
90
HSTS
92
Composite
Apache HTTP Server
74
HSTS
78

HSTS outperforms Apache HTTP Server in 7 of 7 categories, with a stronger composite score (78 vs 74). Apache HTTP Server leads in no categories.

When to choose Apache HTTP Server

Apache HTTP Server doesn't clearly lead HSTS in any category on the sampled sites — pick it based on developer experience, ecosystem, or existing team skills rather than the audit scores.

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 542 audited Apache HTTP Server sites and 3294 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, HSTS sites score higher on Lighthouse performance (52 vs 51 on average).
Which has better security, Apache HTTP Server or HSTS?
HSTS sites score higher on security analysis (73 vs 67 on average).
Which has better accessibility, Apache HTTP Server or HSTS?
Accessibility scores measured by Lighthouse WCAG 2.1 checks favor HSTS (90 vs 86). 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 (92 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 (403 ms vs 647 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. HSTS 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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