nginx Download: Stable vs Mainline, Linux Packages and Windows
nginx · for Linux, Windows and macOS
Developer: nginx project (opens in a new tab)
- Linux
- Windows
- macOS
The download link points to the program’s official source; the file is not hosted on this site. Link address: nginx.org
Link not working? Let us know
nginx is a free, open-source web server and reverse proxy. nginx.org offers mainline and stable source releases, official Linux packages and Windows builds; the Windows version is considered a beta with performance limitations.
nginx serves a large share of websites, either directly or as a reverse proxy in front of an application. Downloading it from nginx.org means choosing a branch and a package type.
Mainline or stable?
nginx.org lists two current branches side by side, mainline and stable, each with its own version number, source archive and Windows zip. Older legacy releases are listed below them. Official Linux packages are offered for both branches, so you can choose either and update within it.
Installing on Linux
- The Download button opens the official download page on nginx.org.
- For servers, use the Linux packages for stable and mainline versions linked from that page; they are installed through your distribution’s package manager.
- Source archives are there if you need to compile nginx yourself.
Your distribution’s own repositories (for example on Ubuntu or Debian) also carry nginx, but sometimes an older version.
nginx on Windows: a beta
nginx.org offers zip downloads for Windows, with important limits. The official documentation says nginx for Windows is considered a beta version:
- It uses only the select() and poll() connection methods, so high performance and scalability should not be expected.
- Although several workers can be started, only one actually does any work.
- UDP, and therefore QUIC, is not supported.
- It runs as a console application, not a service.
So Windows builds are fine for learning and local tests, but production nginx belongs on Linux or another Unix-like system.
To add HTTPS to an nginx site, use Certbot.
Pros
- Official Linux packages for both branches
- Works as a web server and reverse proxy
- Free and open source
Cons
- Windows version is a beta with performance limits
- Configuration is done in text files
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use nginx stable or mainline?
Both are current, official branches on nginx.org, and official Linux packages exist for each. Check the nginx changes log for what each release contains before choosing.
Can I run a production site with nginx on Windows?
The official documentation calls nginx for Windows a beta: only one worker does any work, high performance should not be expected and UDP/QUIC is not supported. Use Linux or another Unix-like system for production.
nginxOpen source
Download (opens in a new tab)
