TOOL SIGNAL / ACTIVE

ApacheBench (ab)

Apache Software Foundation

Micro-benchmark CLI Open Source Self-hosted
Official site ↗
Pricing model
Free; Apache License 2.0.
First released
1995
Latest release
2.3
Last verified
Answer

ApacheBench (ab) is an open-source command-line tool designed for benchmarking HTTP servers, specifically to measure the number of requests per second that an Apache installation can serve. It is bundled as a support program with the Apache HTTP Server distribution.

About

ApacheBench (ab) is an open-source command-line tool designed for benchmarking HTTP servers, specifically to measure the number of requests per second that an Apache installation can serve. It is bundled as a support program with the Apache HTTP Server distribution.

Best for

  • Quick HTTP or protocol micro-benchmarks from a single machine
  • Teams that prefer open-source licensing and self-hosting options
  • Groups comfortable scripting in C

Not the best fit when

  • Full multi-protocol enterprise journeys and rich business-flow reporting
  • Teams unwilling to operate generators, results storage, and scaling

Architecture and concurrency

ApacheBench (ab) is typically driven as a CLI micro-benchmark with C. It favors single-host or simple distributed runs rather than enterprise controller grids.

Compare and alternatives

ApacheBench (ab) alternatives 12 alternatives compared

Features

  • Benchmarking HTTP servers for requests per second throughput
  • Support for HTTP KeepAlive
  • Custom HTTP methods and headers
  • SSL/TLS protocol specification
  • Capability to export results to gnuplot or TSV files
  • POST and PUT data support
  • Proxy server support with basic authentication
  • Configurable verbosity levels

Latest release

2.3 · 2021

Pricing

Free and open-source (distributed under the Apache License 2.0)

Specs

Scripting
C
Protocols
HTTPHTTPS
Operating systems
WindowsmacOSLinux
Tags
apacheclihttp

Sources

SHOW SOURCES

LAST VERIFIED · 2026-08-11 · GROUNDED VIA EXA · CURATED BY NAVEENKUMAR NAMACHIVAYAM

Frequently asked

ANSWER-SHAPED
Who is ApacheBench (ab) for?

ApacheBench (ab) is best for developers who need fast HTTP or protocol micro-benchmarks from a terminal. It is open source, so teams can self-host and extend it. Vendor: Apache Software Foundation. Deployment model: self-hosted. Free; Apache License 2.0. Confirm details against the official site and a short proof-of-concept in your environment.

How does ApacheBench (ab) differ from Vegeta?

Compared with Vegeta, scripting centers on C rather than Go. ApacheBench (ab) lists protocols HTTP, HTTPS; Vegeta lists HTTP, HTTPS. Status is active versus active. Use the Test Rig to compare full specs side by side before a proof-of-concept. Confirm details against the official site and a short proof-of-concept in your environment.

What scripting language and concurrency model does ApacheBench (ab) use?

ApacheBench (ab) uses C for scripting or scenario definition. Runtime model: CLI-driven request generation with a lightweight concurrency model suited to single-host benchmarks. OS support: Windows, macOS, Linux. Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS. Match these to how your team already authors tests and which systems you must drive under load.

What is the cloud or enterprise path for ApacheBench (ab)?

ApacheBench (ab) is primarily self-hosted; teams typically run generators on their own machines, CI runners, or private cloud. Plan for generator capacity, network access to targets, and result storage yourself. As open source, commercial support or hosted siblings may exist separately. Check the official site. Pricing note: Free; Apache License 2.0.

What are known limitations of ApacheBench (ab)?

ApacheBench (ab) limitations to weigh: CLI micro-benchmarks excel at raw HTTP throughput but usually lack enterprise scenario orchestration, rich reporting, and multi-protocol suites; self-hosted tools require you to provision, scale, and observe load generators yourself. Status: active. Always validate against your target protocols and scale with a proof-of-concept.