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Serve Cached WordPress Pages Without Running PHP
MAx Cache is a module for Apache and Nginx that serves cached WordPress pages directly from the web server, bypassing PHP entirely. Faster responses, lower server load, higher hosting density.
Included at no additional cost with CloudLinux.
Why We Created MAx Cache
Caching plugins in WordPress generate static pages, but the request still passes through PHP on every load. PHP evaluates headers, determines the right cached file, and serves it. For a static file sitting on disk, that processing is wasted.
Without MAx Cache
Visitor requests a page
Apache hands the request to PHP
PHP loads and finds the file
PHP serves the cached page
With MAx Cache
Visitor requests a page
Apache checks cache directly (no PHP) and finds the file
Apache serves the cached page
On a busy server with hundreds of WordPress sites, eliminating PHP from cached requests frees significant CPU and memory for everything else.
How It Works
MAx Cache runs as a native Apache/Nginx module. It handles routing decisions at the web server level instead of in PHP, making it faster and more accurate than the RewriteRule-based approaches used by most caching plugins.
Cached page?
Served instantly by web server.
The module computes cache-key inputs at the web server level: device type, WebP support, login status, cookies, and query strings. It builds the correct cache path and serves the file directly. PHP is never invoked.
No cache?
PHP handles it normally.
When a cached version doesn’t exist, the request passes through to PHP as usual. The caching plugin generates the page and stores it. The next request for that page is served directly by the web server.
Performance Gains
on Apache
~2x requests per second
~2x time to first byte
~50% CPU and memory reduction
on Nginx
~3x requests per second
~6x time to first byte
~80% CPU and memory reduction
MAx Cache & AccelerateWP
AccelerateWP
generates cached pages, manages invalidation, optimizes assets, and runs SmartAdvice.
MAx Cache
Together they deliver performance that plugin-only solutions can’t match, because part of the optimization happens at the web server level.
Deployment
For hosting providers
Deploy server-wide with a single command. MAx Cache activates at the web server level across all sites.
For site owners
Toggle MAx Cache on in WordPress under AccelerateWP > Settings > Add-Ons. No additional configuration needed.
Compatibility
Web server
Apache,
Nginx
Control panels
(Plesk, DirectAdmin, and no-panel support coming soon)
