stackstash

Apache vs PM2

Apache and PM2 are free.

Apache logo: The open-source HTTP server that still serves a lot of shared hosting and VPS sites.
Apache logo: The open-source HTTP server that still serves a lot of shared hosting and VPS sites.

Apache

Free

The open-source HTTP server that still serves a lot of shared hosting and VPS sites.

Try it

Pros of Apache

  • Available on almost every VPS and shared host

  • The config is plain text you can search

  • No account with a cloud vendor required

Cons of Apache

  • You patch and configure the server yourself

  • A default install is easy to leave too open

PM2 logo: A Node.js process manager that keeps apps running, restarts on crash, and can cluster across cores.
PM2 logo: A Node.js process manager that keeps apps running, restarts on crash, and can cluster across cores.

PM2

Free

A Node.js process manager that keeps apps running, restarts on crash, and can cluster across cores.

Try it

Pros of PM2

  • Simple CLI for production Node

  • Free open-source runtime

  • Great with Nginx reverse proxies

  • Works inside Docker containers

Cons of PM2

  • Focused on Node/Bun, not every language

  • Plus monitoring is paid

  • Less of a fit if you already use Kubernetes