{ Apache VHost Generator }

// build apache virtualhost configs in seconds

Generate Apache VirtualHost configurations with SSL, rewrite rules, directory settings, and logging options. Free browser-based tool, no sign-up required.

// VHOST CONFIGURATION
⚡ Enable SSL by setting Listen Port to 443 or entering certificate paths below.
Leave empty to skip SSL config
Optional — for Let's Encrypt use fullchain.pem
Leave empty to skip proxy config
⚙️

Configure your VirtualHost settings

Fill in the form above and click Generate Config

HOW TO USE

  1. 01
    Fill Basic Settings

    Enter your server name, document root, and choose a listen port. Mark required fields with *.

  2. 02
    Configure SSL (Optional)

    Switch to the SSL tab and enter your certificate paths for HTTPS configuration.

  3. 03
    Add Advanced Options

    Set log paths, proxy rules, custom headers, and extra directives in the Advanced tab.

  4. 04
    Generate & Deploy

    Click Generate Config, copy or download the .conf file, then place it in /etc/apache2/sites-available/.

FEATURES

HTTP + HTTPS SSL/TLS Config Reverse Proxy Rewrite Rules HSTS Headers OCSP Stapling Custom Headers Download .conf

USE CASES

  • 🔧 Setting up new Apache virtual hosts
  • 🔧 Migrating from HTTP to HTTPS
  • 🔧 Configuring reverse proxies for Node.js apps
  • 🔧 Setting up Let's Encrypt SSL configs
  • 🔧 Adding security headers to Apache sites

WHAT IS THIS?

The Apache VHost Generator creates complete VirtualHost configuration blocks for Apache HTTP Server. Instead of writing configs by hand, fill in the form and get production-ready Apache directives instantly — including SSL, rewrites, and proxy settings.

RELATED TOOLS

⚡ Nginx Redirect Generator ↩ Apache Redirect Generator 📄 htaccess Generator 🔒 Security Header Checker ✅ SSL Checker

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where do I put the generated .conf file?

Place the file in /etc/apache2/sites-available/example.com.conf, then enable it with sudo a2ensite example.com.conf and reload Apache with sudo systemctl reload apache2.

What Apache modules do I need for SSL?

Enable mod_ssl with sudo a2enmod ssl. For HSTS and custom headers you also need mod_headers (sudo a2enmod headers). For rewrite rules, enable mod_rewrite.

How do I use this with Let's Encrypt?

Run Certbot first to obtain certificates, then use the generated paths (usually /etc/letsencrypt/live/example.com/fullchain.pem and privkey.pem) in the SSL Certificate and Key fields. Check the SSL Chain box and use fullchain.pem.

What does AllowOverride All do?

AllowOverride All allows .htaccess files to override server configuration directives. This is required for WordPress and many other CMS platforms to handle URL rewriting. Disable it on high-traffic production servers for better performance.

How do I set up a reverse proxy with Apache?

Enter your backend URL in the Proxy Pass field (e.g., http://localhost:3000). The generator will add ProxyPass and ProxyPassReverse directives. You must also enable mod_proxy and mod_proxy_http modules.

What is HSTS and should I enable it?

HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) tells browsers to always use HTTPS for your domain. Enable it on HTTPS sites to prevent protocol downgrade attacks. Warning: once set, browsers cache this for the max-age duration — make sure your SSL is working correctly first.

What cipher suite should I choose?

The Modern preset uses only the strongest ciphers (TLSv1.3 compatible) — best for new sites. The Intermediate preset maintains compatibility with older browsers and includes TLSv1.2 ciphers. Avoid the Legacy preset on public-facing sites.

Can I use this for Apache on Windows?

Yes — the configuration syntax is the same. However, adjust file paths to Windows format (e.g., C:/Apache24/htdocs/example) and use backslashes appropriately. WAMP, XAMPP, and Apache Lounge on Windows all use the same VirtualHost syntax.

What is an Apache VirtualHost?

Apache HTTP Server's VirtualHost feature allows a single server to host multiple websites on one IP address. Each VirtualHost block defines the configuration for a specific domain — its document root, server name, SSL settings, logging, and more. The Apache VHost Generator automates writing these configuration blocks so you spend less time editing files and more time building your applications.

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How to Configure Apache VirtualHosts

On Debian/Ubuntu systems, VirtualHost configuration files are stored in /etc/apache2/sites-available/. Each site gets its own .conf file, typically named after the domain (e.g., example.com.conf). After placing the file, you enable the site with a2ensite and reload Apache. On CentOS/RHEL systems, configuration files typically live in /etc/httpd/conf.d/.

HTTP vs HTTPS VirtualHost Configuration

Modern Apache setups typically require two VirtualHost blocks per domain: one listening on port 80 (HTTP) that redirects all traffic to HTTPS, and one on port 443 (HTTPS) with SSL directives. The generator handles both cases — enable the "Redirect HTTP → HTTPS" option and provide SSL certificate paths to generate both blocks simultaneously.

SSL/TLS Configuration Best Practices

When configuring SSL in Apache, use at minimum TLSv1.2 alongside TLSv1.3 for broad compatibility. The SSLCipherSuite directive controls which encryption algorithms are permitted. The modern preset in this generator follows Mozilla's recommendations, disabling weak ciphers like RC4 and DES. Always pair your certificate (SSLCertificateFile) with its private key (SSLCertificateKeyFile) and include the chain file if your CA requires it.

Enabling mod_rewrite for URL Rewriting

Most CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, and Laravel require mod_rewrite to handle clean URLs. Enable it with sudo a2enmod rewrite, then set AllowOverride All in your Directory block to allow .htaccess to handle rewrite rules. For better performance on production servers, move all rewrite rules directly into the VirtualHost block and set AllowOverride None.

Reverse Proxy Configuration

Apache can act as a reverse proxy — forwarding requests to a backend application server (Node.js, Python, Java, etc.) while serving the public URL. The essential directives are ProxyPass and ProxyPassReverse. You must enable mod_proxy and mod_proxy_http modules. For WebSocket support, also enable mod_proxy_wstunnel and add proxy rules for the ws:// protocol.

Security Headers in Apache

Adding HTTP security headers significantly reduces common attack vectors. Key headers include X-Frame-Options (prevent clickjacking), X-Content-Type-Options (prevent MIME sniffing), Content-Security-Policy (control resource loading), and Strict-Transport-Security (enforce HTTPS). The generator's Custom Headers field lets you add any header using the Header always set directive. Remember to enable mod_headers first.

Logging Configuration

Apache's ErrorLog and CustomLog directives control where log files are written. Keeping per-site logs (as opposed to the global log) makes troubleshooting much easier. The combined log format includes the referrer and user agent in addition to the request — essential for traffic analysis. Use log rotation tools like logrotate to prevent log files from consuming excessive disk space.

Deploying Your Generated Configuration

After generating your config: (1) save it to /etc/apache2/sites-available/example.com.conf, (2) run sudo apache2ctl configtest to verify the syntax, (3) enable the site with sudo a2ensite example.com.conf, and (4) reload Apache with sudo systemctl reload apache2. If you see errors in the config test, check that all module dependencies are enabled and that file paths actually exist on your server.

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