Free Online Apache Virtual Host Generator

About the Apache Virtual Host Generator

A virtual host tells Apache which files, logs, certificates, and PHP handler belong to a domain. Writing one by hand is repetitive, and small differences between the HTTP and HTTPS versions can cause redirect loops, missing certificate warnings, or PHP files served as plain text. This generator builds a matched pair of virtual host blocks from a short form and produces a configuration file ready to place in sites-available.

The HTTP block can either serve the site directly or redirect every request to its HTTPS equivalent. Redirecting is the usual choice for public sites: it keeps one canonical URL, avoids duplicate content, and ensures cookies marked secure are only sent over TLS. When the redirect is enabled, the HTTP block contains a permanent redirect and log directives. When it is disabled, both blocks share the same document root and PHP handler so the site works on either scheme. The generated certificate paths follow the common Let's Encrypt layout, but you can replace them with any absolute path on your server.

The HTTPS block enables SSLEngine, points to the certificate and key, and optionally adds a strict transport security header. HSTS tells browsers to use HTTPS for future visits, so only enable it after the certificate and redirect are confirmed working. If a PHP-FPM socket is supplied, the tool adds a FilesMatch section that sends .php requests to that socket through mod_proxy_fcgi. This requires proxy and proxy_fcgi to be enabled. Leave the socket blank for static sites or when PHP runs through a different mechanism.

Directory options use Apache 2.4 syntax. AllowOverride All lets .htaccess files work, which many frameworks need but which adds per-request file checks; set it to None if you keep all configuration in the vhost. Directory listing is disabled by default with Options -Indexes. Log paths combine the configured log directory with the domain name. After copying the file, enable the site, run a configuration test, and reload Apache. The generator does not install certificates, create directories, or touch a live server.

How to use this tool

1. Enter the primary domain, aliases, document root, and log directory.
2. Set the certificate and key paths, and optionally the PHP-FPM socket.
3. Choose redirect, HSTS, and directory-listing options, then click Generate.
4. Copy the result or download it as a .conf file for Apache.

Frequently asked questions