Is NGINX Free? Understanding the Cost of Using NGINX

In this article, we’ll explore the concept of free in relation to NGINX, discussing its importance, use cases, and providing a step-by-step explanation of what you need to know. …

Updated September 21, 2024

In this article, we’ll explore the concept of “free” in relation to NGINX, discussing its importance, use cases, and providing a step-by-step explanation of what you need to know.

As a web server administrator, you’ve likely heard of NGINX, one of the most popular open-source web servers available. But have you ever wondered if NGINX is free? The answer might surprise you.

What does “free” mean in the context of NGINX?

When we talk about software being “free,” we’re usually referring to the absence of licensing fees or costs associated with using the software. However, there are different types of freedom when it comes to software:

Free as in beer: This means that you don’t have to pay a fee to use the software.
Free as in speech: This refers to the freedom to modify and distribute the software.

NGINX is open-source software, which means that it’s free in both senses. You can download and use NGINX without paying any licensing fees, and you’re also free to modify and distribute the software under the terms of its license (2-clause BSD).

Why is NGINX free?

So, why would a company like F5, Inc., which acquired NGINX in 2019, give away such a powerful web server for free? The answer lies in the business model.

NGINX generates revenue through support and services related to its software. This includes:

Commercial subscriptions: NGINX offers commercial subscriptions that provide access to additional features, support, and security updates.
Professional services: NGINX provides professional services such as consulting, training, and custom development.
Partnerships: NGINX partners with other companies to offer bundled solutions.

By offering the core software for free, NGINX can attract a large user base, which in turn drives demand for its commercial offerings. This business model is known as “open-core.”

Use cases where NGINX might not be free

While NGINX itself is free, there are scenarios where you might incur costs:

Commercial support: If you need priority support or customized support, you’ll need to purchase a commercial subscription.
Additional features: Some advanced features, such as the NGINX Plus dashboard, require a commercial subscription.
Enterprise deployments: Large-scale enterprise deployments may require custom development, consulting services, or specialized support, which can incur costs.

Step-by-step explanation of getting started with NGINX

Now that we’ve cleared up any confusion around the cost of using NGINX, let’s walk through the steps to get started:

Download and install NGINX: Head over to the official NGINX website and download the latest version for your operating system.
Configure NGINX: Follow the documentation or tutorials to configure NGINX for your specific use case (e.g., web server, reverse proxy, load balancer).
Test and deploy: Test your configuration and deploy it to production.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NGINX is indeed free in both senses – you don’t have to pay licensing fees, and you’re also free to modify and distribute the software. However, depending on your specific use case, you might incur costs for commercial support, additional features, or enterprise deployments.