A LiteSpeed license lets you run LiteSpeed Web Server in place of Apache on your own VPS or dedicated server. The main choice is how many CPU cores the licence lets LiteSpeed use, which should match your server. Tremhost’s LiteSpeed licences cost $5 a month for 2 cores, $8 for 4, $12 for 8 and $15 for unlimited cores, all with no domain limit. They are shared licences supplied by Tremhost that receive official LiteSpeed updates.
What LiteSpeed Web Server does
LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) is a commercial web server built as a drop-in replacement for Apache. It reads Apache configuration files and .htaccess rules directly, supports mod_rewrite and ModSecurity rules, and works with cPanel, Plesk and DirectAdmin. In practice that means you can switch an existing Apache server to LiteSpeed without rewriting site configurations.
Its main advantages are architectural:
- Event-driven design. LiteSpeed handles many simultaneous connections with fewer processes than Apache’s traditional process-per-connection models, so it uses less memory under load.
- Built-in page caching. LSCache works at server level and pairs with the free LiteSpeed Cache plugin for WordPress, and with plugins for other platforms, so you do not need a separate caching layer in front of the server.
- Modern protocols. HTTP/2, HTTP/3 and QUIC are supported out of the box.
- Graceful restarts. Configuration changes and updates can be applied without dropping connections.
- Protection features. Connection and bandwidth throttling help absorb abusive traffic, alongside ModSecurity rules.
When a LiteSpeed licence is worth it
LiteSpeed earns its cost on servers running PHP applications such as WordPress, WooCommerce or Joomla, especially when many sites share one machine or traffic arrives in bursts. Server-level caching means repeat visitors get cached pages without PHP running at all, which frees CPU and memory for the requests that need it. On a server that only serves static files or runs a non-PHP application behind its own web server, the benefit is smaller, and the free OpenLiteSpeed edition or Nginx may be enough.
How LiteSpeed licences are counted
LiteSpeed licences are sold by the number of CPU cores, also called workers, that the web server may use. A 2-core licence on an 8-core server will run, but LiteSpeed will only use two cores to process requests, leaving capacity unused. The rule is simple: buy a tier at least as large as the number of cores on your server, or the unlimited-core tier if you are not sure or plan to upgrade.
Tremhost LiteSpeed licence prices
As listed on Tremhost’s LiteSpeed page on 5 November 2026, in US dollars, each with no domain limit:
- 2 cores: $5 a month.
- 4 cores: $8 a month.
- 8 cores: $12 a month.
- Unlimited (X) cores: $15 a month.
Matching a tier to your server
- A Tremhost KVM 1 VPS (2 cores) needs the 2-core licence.
- KVM 2 and KVM 3 (4 cores) need the 4-core licence.
- KVM 4 and KVM 5 (6 cores) and KVM 6 (8 cores) need the 8-core licence.
- Larger servers, or any server you expect to resize, suit the unlimited-core licence.
Bundles with cPanel
If you also need cPanel, a bundle may cost less than buying separately. Tremhost’s VPS bundle, at $12 a month, includes a cPanel licence with unlimited accounts plus LiteSpeed, CloudLinux, Imunify360 and JetBackup, each with unlimited accounts. The dedicated-server bundle is $13 a month. Longer terms cost less per month. Details are on the cPanel licence page.
What to compare between licence providers
Whoever you buy from, check the same points:
- Core tier and domain limit. Some cheaper official tiers limit the number of domains or the RAM LiteSpeed may use. Tremhost’s tiers have no domain limit.
- Licence type. Ask whether it is an official licence bought from LiteSpeed Technologies or a shared licence from a supplier, and read the terms.
- Updates. Confirm you receive official updates. Tremhost’s licences do.
- Support. Licence problems go to the supplier. Tremhost’s team answers by ticket and WhatsApp, Monday to Friday 08:00 to 17:00 CAT.
- Moving the licence. Licences are tied to a server’s IP address. Ask how changes are handled.
- Payment. Tremhost bills in US dollars and accepts EcoCash, InnBucks, ZimSwitch, Omari, Visa, Mastercard and cryptocurrency.
Switching from Apache to LiteSpeed
- Take a full backup of the server.
- Order the licence for the server’s IP address and the right core tier.
- Install LiteSpeed. On cPanel servers, the LiteSpeed WHM plugin handles installation and lets you switch between Apache and LiteSpeed.
- Switch the web server to LiteSpeed and check that your sites load, including redirects and .htaccess rules.
- Install the LiteSpeed Cache plugin on WordPress sites and enable page caching.
Because LiteSpeed can be switched back to Apache from the same plugin, you can roll back if a site misbehaves.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a LiteSpeed licence on Tremhost hosting?
No. Tremhost’s web hosting, managed WordPress, reseller and managed cPanel VPS plans already run LiteSpeed. You need a licence only for a server you manage yourself.
What happens if my server has more cores than my licence?
LiteSpeed still runs but only uses the number of cores the licence allows. Upgrade the tier to use the rest.
What is the difference between LiteSpeed Enterprise and OpenLiteSpeed?
They are related but configured differently. LiteSpeed Web Server Enterprise reads Apache configurations; OpenLiteSpeed, the free open-source edition, uses its own configuration and does not read .htaccess changes without a restart.
Can I see other licences in one place?
Yes. Every licence and price is on the Tremhost licences page.
Next step
Choose the core tier that matches your server on the Tremhost LiteSpeed licence page.
