Nginx (pronounced “engine-x”) is web server software that handles incoming requests and delivers your website’s files to visitors’ browsers. It’s one of the two most widely used web servers, alongside Apache.
What Makes Nginx Popular
Nginx is known for handling a large number of simultaneous visitors efficiently, using fewer server resources than some older alternatives. This makes it a common choice for busy websites that need to stay fast under heavy traffic.
Nginx vs Apache
Apache has traditionally offered more flexible configuration, particularly through .htaccess files. Nginx generally performs better under high traffic but requires editing central configuration files instead, since it doesn’t support .htaccess in the same way.
Some hosting setups even combine both, using Nginx to quickly serve static files like images while passing more complex requests to Apache.
Does This Matter to You?
For most WordPress site owners, this runs entirely behind the scenes. It becomes relevant mainly if you’re comparing hosting providers or troubleshooting a server-level configuration issue with support.