Today, the internet is a vital part of our daily lives. We read the news, stream videos, and chat with friends online. But as the amount of data we exchange grows, so does the load on global networks.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) has handled this traffic since 1991, evolving over the years. And now, the latest and most advanced version is here — HTTP version 3.
So what is HTTP/3, how does it differ from previous versions, and what are the pros and cons?
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So, what is http3 exactly? It is the third major version of the HyperText Transfer Protocol. Unlike previous versions, it uses QUIC — a modern transport protocol built on UDP. This shift allows for faster, more secure, and more reliable web connections.
If you’re interested in the differences, here is a brief comparison of http3 vs http2: HTTP/3 uses QUIC over UDP, providing faster connection setups and better performance on unreliable networks compared to HTTP/2’s TCP-based transport.
To understand how to use http/3 effectively, it’s important to know its core principles and benefits.
Previous versions used transport layer protocols UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
In previous versions of HTTP, the loss of a single packet could lead to head-of-line blocking, resulting in the blocking of the entire remaining stream. However, HTTP/3 does not limit the number of concurrently open streams, and the bloking of one does not affect others. The main benefits of multiplexing are:
HTTP/3 always applies TLS 1.3 (Transport Layer Security version 1.3) - the latest version of the encryption and data protection protocol at the transport layer. This involves using a new mode of initial connection (TLS Handshake) with the Diffie-Hellman (DH) protocol, which provides additional security and protection against attacks. All sessions established using TLS 1.3 automatically provide Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), which helps protect previously encrypted traffic even if the key is compromised. The use of the Diffie-Hellman protocol reduces the set of ciphers, reducing the amount of transmitted data and the overhead of establishing a secure connection.
This mechanism ensures that lost packets are retransmitted within each stream without delaying other streams. Unlike previous versions, packet loss does not block the transmission of other streams, improving connection speed and stability, especially on unreliable networks.
QUIC’s fast session resumption (0-RTT) lets clients reconnect to a server almost instantly by reusing encryption keys from a previous session. This reduces the time needed to establish a secure connection, cutting latency for repeat visits and improving load speeds for returning users.
HTTP/3 provides many practical http 3 advantages:
These http/3 benefits make the protocol a powerful choice for modern web browsing and applications.
While HTTP/3 brings significant improvements compared to previous versions, it also has its potential limitations and drawbacks:
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Both types of connection perform the same in terms of speed, security and anonymity. In simple terms: different ways of transmitting traffic, but both are reliable.
Our experience shows that if you’re really far away from the proxy’s GEO, best to choose HTTP.
QUIC is preferred because it allows faster connection setup, better handling of packet loss, and built-in encryption, making HTTP/3 more efficient and secure compared to TCP. This improves browsing speed and reliability, especially on unstable networks.
Yes, Apache has experimental support for HTTP/3. However, you may need to enable specific modules or use additional software to fully utilize HTTP/3 features. Stay updated on Apache’s releases for the latest support.
To use HTTP/3, ensure your browser and server support it, then configure your server with QUIC enabled. Modern browsers automatically negotiate HTTP/3 if available. Using HTTP/3 can significantly improve your website’s loading speed and security.
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