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Apache vs mod_fastcgi

Based on 528 and 2 real audits

MetricApachemod_fastcgiWinner
Performance514Apache
Accessibility8682Apache
Best Practices8896mod_fastcgi
SEO9077Apache
Security6777mod_fastcgi
TTFB638ms1079msApache
Composite7478mod_fastcgi
Performance
Apache
51
mod_fastcgi
4
Accessibility
Apache
86
mod_fastcgi
82
Security
Apache
67
mod_fastcgi
77
SEO
Apache
90
mod_fastcgi
77
Composite
Apache
74
mod_fastcgi
78

Apache outperforms mod_fastcgi in 4 of 7 categories, with a stronger composite score (74 vs 78). mod_fastcgi leads in best practices, security, composite score.

When to choose Apache

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

When to choose mod_fastcgi

Choose mod_fastcgi when your primary concern is security and best practices. Its audit data shows consistent strength in these areas across the sampled sites.

How this comparison was built

Scores are medians across 528 audited Apache sites and 2 audited mod_fastcgi 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 →

Small sample: one or both technologies have fewer than 10 audited sites. Treat these numbers as directional — medians stabilize around 20–30 audits per side.

FAQ

Which is faster, Apache or mod_fastcgi?
Based on real BeaverCheck audits, Apache sites score higher on Lighthouse performance (51 vs 4 on average).
Which has better security, Apache or mod_fastcgi?
mod_fastcgi sites score higher on security analysis (77 vs 67 on average).
Which has better accessibility, Apache or mod_fastcgi?
Accessibility scores measured by Lighthouse WCAG 2.1 checks favor Apache (86 vs 82). 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 or mod_fastcgi?
Apache sites score higher on Lighthouse SEO signals (90 vs 77 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 or mod_fastcgi?
Apache sites show lower Time to First Byte (638 ms vs 1079 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 or mod_fastcgi for my website?
Both platforms have trade-offs. Apache scores higher on overall composite score while Apache 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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