MAx Web Server: The High-Performance Apache Replacement for WordPress and More

CloudLinux unveils a new NGINX-based web server that delivers up to 35x faster performance while maintaining full compatibility with .htaccess

CloudLinux is making significant strides in the web hosting space with the development of MAx Web Server, a high-performance solution designed to fully replace Apache while preserving traditional configurations and dramatically improving performance—particularly for WordPress sites.

Currently in beta, MAx is built on NGINX but introduces a game-changing feature: support for .htaccess files, a long-standing challenge when migrating from Apache. This hybrid approach allows users to benefit from NGINX’s speed without losing the convenience and flexibility of Apache’s familiar syntax, significantly smoothing the transition process.

No Reverse Proxy, No Cache Purge Needed

Unlike previous NGINX-based solutions integrated into panels like cPanel or DirectAdmin, MAx is not a reverse proxy and doesn’t rely on a cache layer to perform. Instead, it acts as a full drop-in replacement for Apache, which eliminates the need for cache purging or syncing when content updates occur.

As CloudLinux CEO Igor Seletskiy stated in the company’s blog, “MAx does not cache responses”, making it inherently more reliable and simpler to manage. However, for WordPress users, performance can be further boosted using a caching plugin like AccelerateWP (free), which turns dynamic content into static pages that NGINX serves efficiently.

Growing Compatibility with Control Panels

Currently, MAx Web Server supports CloudLinux OS with cPanel, but plans are underway to expand compatibility to Plesk and custom panels. Integration with Imunify360 is also evolving, as the team recently solved performance issues caused by mod_security in NGINX environments by introducing a new WAF engine. This engine is now used in MAx and will be adopted across other CloudLinux NGINX offerings.

Technical Advancements in Latest Versions

Since version 1.3-7, CloudLinux has released several key updates (from versions 1.3-8 to 1.3-12), focusing on reliability, compatibility, and performance:

• Advanced Apache directive conversion, including full support for RewriteRule, RewriteCond, and Header directives with environment variable handling.
• Security and SSL enhancements, such as SSLOptions StdEnvVars, and improved handling of .htaccess auth files.
• Early configuration validation to prevent 500 errors during transitions and avoid faulty NGINX deployments.
• Fixes for PHP misinterpretation issues, where files were being downloaded instead of executed.
• Improved memory handling during cPanel hook executions under high load.
• Accurate processing of PHP handlers and charset settings to ensure seamless content delivery post-migration.
• Optimized NGINX config generation, handling special characters and inline Apache comments properly.
• Full support for addon domains, suspended pages, and port protection in Imunify360 environments.

Security and Automation Enhancements

MAx now features real-time monitoring of .htaccess files, automatically updating NGINX configurations upon changes. It also improves translation of Apache directives like Allow, SetEnvIf, and FallbackResource, ensuring consistent access control and security behavior after migration.

The system includes robust error prevention mechanisms, such as better exception grouping, type safety fixes, and full configuration testing before deployment.

Recommended Versions for Stability

CloudLinux recommends upgrading to the following packages for optimal results:

• max_webserver-1.3-12
• ea-nginx-1.26.3-5.cloudlinux.6
• ea-nginx-mod-apache-compat, mod-lsapi, mod-wafcl, and other required modules
• alt-python27-cllib-3.4.29-1, cloudlinux-venv-1.0.8-1

The full changelog is available at:
👉 https://changelog.cloudlinux.com/max_webserver

Looking Ahead: Seamless Apache-to-NGINX Migration

CloudLinux’s goal is clear: achieve 100% successful conversions from Apache to NGINX with no loss of functionality. Significant progress has already been made, and the team is targeting Q3 2025 for pre-production status.

By merging NGINX’s raw performance with Apache-style usability, MAx Web Server positions itself as a robust, secure, and high-speed option for hosting providers, especially those serving WordPress clients.

MAx Web Server is available free of charge with CloudLinux OS, and new updates are released weekly. Installation guides and full documentation are available at:
👉 https://docs.cloudlinux.com/cloudlinuxos/max_webserver/