OpenLiteSpeed is an open-source web server developed by LiteSpeed Technologies, designed for high performance, security, and ease of use. It handles high-traffic websites efficiently and is ideal for serving both static and dynamic web content. OpenLiteSpeed is commonly used for applications that need to process dynamic content quickly, and it is compatible with popular content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
Key Features of OpenLiteSpeed
High Performance
OpenLiteSpeed is optimized for speed, making it capable of handling many simultaneous connections with minimal resource usage. It uses an event-driven architecture that efficiently manages high concurrency, making it ideal for high-traffic websites.
HTTP/3 and QUIC Support
OpenLiteSpeed supports HTTP/3 and QUIC, the latest protocols designed to reduce latency and improve connection reliability. This feature enhances website performance, especially in environments with unreliable network conditions.
LiteSpeed Cache (LSCache)
The LSCache module is built into OpenLiteSpeed, providing powerful caching for both static and dynamic content. It speeds up load times by caching frequently accessed content, reducing server load, and improving site performance. It is particularly effective for applications like WordPress, Joomla, and Magento.
Built-in Web Application Firewall (WAF)
OpenLiteSpeed includes an integrated Web Application Firewall (WAF) that provides protection against common web attacks, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and file inclusion vulnerabilities. This feature enhances server security without requiring additional configurations.
SSL/TLS Support
OpenLiteSpeed supports SSL/TLS, making it easy to implement secure HTTPS connections. It also integrates with Let’s Encrypt for automatic SSL certificate installation, ensuring secure communication for users without additional setup.
Dynamic Content Handling
OpenLiteSpeed supports several scripting languages, including PHP, Python, and Ruby. With the LSAPI (LiteSpeed SAPI) module, it offers high-performance PHP processing. This makes it ideal for serving dynamic content, such as that generated by CMS platforms or web applications.
Load Balancing and Reverse Proxy
OpenLiteSpeed can distribute incoming traffic across multiple backend servers using load balancing, improving scalability and redundancy. It can also act as a reverse proxy, forwarding client requests to backend servers and providing additional security and scalability.
User-Friendly Admin Interface
The web-based admin panel in OpenLiteSpeed provides a simple, intuitive interface to manage server configurations, monitor performance, and manage virtual hosts. This makes it easier for administrators to set up and manage their server without needing extensive technical expertise.
Rewrite Rules and ModSecurity Compatibility
OpenLiteSpeed supports .htaccess
rewrite rules, allowing users to configure URL rewriting in the same way they would on Apache. It is also compatible with ModSecurity, an open-source WAF, which can be used to further secure the server.
Resource Efficiency
OpenLiteSpeed is designed to use fewer resources compared to other web servers, offering fast performance while consuming minimal CPU and memory. This makes it suitable for environments where system resources are limited.
Advantages of OpenLiteSpeed
- Better Performance with Fewer Resources: OpenLiteSpeed provides faster page loads and can handle more traffic without requiring high-end hardware, offering better performance with fewer system resources compared to Apache and Nginx.
- Free and Open Source: OpenLiteSpeed is free to use and open-source, providing an excellent option for users who need a high-performance web server without the cost of a commercial license.
- Ease of Configuration: The intuitive web admin interface makes it easy to manage OpenLiteSpeed, allowing even beginners to configure virtual hosts, security rules, and performance settings quickly.
- Optimized for CMS: OpenLiteSpeed works well with popular CMS platforms, like WordPress, and has built-in optimizations to improve performance for these types of websites.
- Advanced Caching: With LSCache, OpenLiteSpeed offers advanced caching features that help reduce server load and improve the user experience by delivering content faster.
Use Cases for OpenLiteSpeed
High-Traffic Websites
OpenLiteSpeed is well-suited for handling high-traffic websites. Its performance optimizations allow it to handle many simultaneous users without slowing down, making it ideal for popular blogs, news sites, and e-commerce platforms.
WordPress Websites
With built-in LSCache support for WordPress, OpenLiteSpeed can dramatically improve the performance of WordPress sites by caching content and reducing load times. It also includes features like optimized PHP handling and security enhancements for WordPress.
E-commerce Sites
OpenLiteSpeed is excellent for e-commerce platforms, especially those using CMS platforms like Magento or WooCommerce. Its ability to handle dynamic content and support SSL makes it ideal for secure and fast online stores.
Web Applications
OpenLiteSpeed’s support for dynamic content and scripting languages makes it an ideal choice for serving complex web applications. Whether it’s a custom-built app or a popular CMS, OpenLiteSpeed can handle the backend requests with speed and efficiency.
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
OpenLiteSpeed’s caching features are ideal for CDNs. It can cache static content such as images, CSS, and JavaScript, ensuring that content is served quickly to users from multiple locations across the globe.
How to Install OpenLiteSpeed
- On Linux (Ubuntu Example): OpenLiteSpeed can be installed on Ubuntu using official installation scripts. The process typically involves adding the OpenLiteSpeed repository, installing the server, and configuring it to start automatically. After installation, you can access the server’s web admin interface at
http://localhost:7080
. - On Docker: OpenLiteSpeed offers an official Docker image, making deployment simple in containerized environments. This method is convenient for users looking to deploy OpenLiteSpeed in a consistent, isolated environment.
- On Windows: OpenLiteSpeed also provides a version for Windows. The installation process is simple, and you can begin using OpenLiteSpeed with minimal configuration.
OpenLiteSpeed vs Other Web Servers
OpenLiteSpeed vs Apache
Compared to Apache, OpenLiteSpeed offers better performance, particularly when serving dynamic content. While Apache is highly configurable and widely used, OpenLiteSpeed’s built-in features like LSCache and efficient handling of PHP give it an edge in terms of speed and resource usage.
OpenLiteSpeed vs Nginx
OpenLiteSpeed and Nginx are both lightweight, high-performance web servers, but OpenLiteSpeed has the advantage in serving dynamic content. While Nginx excels at serving static content, OpenLiteSpeed’s ability to handle dynamic content efficiently and its built-in caching make it a superior choice for CMS-driven websites.
OpenLiteSpeed vs LiteSpeed Enterprise
LiteSpeed Enterprise is a commercial version of OpenLiteSpeed that offers additional features and support. While OpenLiteSpeed is fully functional and free, LiteSpeed Enterprise includes advanced security features, enhanced performance, and premium support for enterprise environments.
Step 1: Create an Instance
To get started, create a server instance running Ubuntu 24.04.
Access the Dashboard: Log in to your Shape.Host account and navigate to your Dashboard.
Click Create: Click on the “Create” button located in the top-right corner.
Select Instances: From the dropdown menu, choose “Instances” to create a new cloud server.

Select Location: Choose a data center location closest to your target audience for optimal performance.

Choose a Plan: Select a server plan that fits your project needs, such as Standard, CPU-Optimized, or Memory-Optimized.
Choose an Image: Select Ubuntu 24.04 as the operating system.

Authentication and Finalize: Choose your preferred authentication method, either SSH keys or password, and click Create Instance.

- Obtain IP Address
- Once your instance is created, return to the dashboard.
- Find your instance’s IP address under the Resources section and use it to access your server.

Step 2: Connect to Your Instance
Once your instance is ready, connect to it using SSH:
- Linux/macOS: Open a terminal and use:
ssh root@<your_server_ip>
- Windows: Use PuTTY. Enter the server’s IP, select SSH, and log in as
root
with your password or key.
Step 3: Update and Upgrade Your System
Before installing OpenLiteSpeed, ensure your system is up-to-date:
apt update -y && apt upgrade -y

Step 4: Install Required Dependencies
Install the necessary tools, including curl
, gnupg2
, and ca-certificates
:
apt install curl gnupg2 ca-certificates lsb-release

Step 5: Download and Install OpenLiteSpeed
Download the OpenLiteSpeed installation script:
wget -O openlitespeed.sh https://repo.litespeed.sh

Run the script to configure the repository and install OpenLiteSpeed:
bash openlitespeed.sh

Then, install the OpenLiteSpeed package:
apt install openlitespeed

Step 6: Start and Enable OpenLiteSpeed
Start the OpenLiteSpeed service and enable it to run at system boot:
systemctl start lshttpd && systemctl enable lshttpd
Verify the service status:
systemctl status lshttpd

Step 7: Configure Admin Credentials
Set up the OpenLiteSpeed web admin password using the following script:
bash /usr/local/lsws/admin/misc/admpass.sh
Follow the prompts to set your admin username and password.

Step 8: Access the OpenLiteSpeed Web Interface
Once the setup is complete, you can access the OpenLiteSpeed web interface using your server’s IP address at the following URL:
http://<YourIPAddress>:7080
Log in using the admin credentials you set during the configuration.

Once logged in, you will see the following dashboard.

You have successfully installed and configured the OpenLiteSpeed Web Server on Ubuntu 24.04. You can now use its intuitive interface to manage your web server and host your websites.
For reliable hosting solutions optimized for web servers, consider Shape.Host Linux SSD VPS. Their services ensure high performance and scalability for your web applications.