- The Angie web server has reached its third anniversary, marking three years of development and growth.
- The founders of Angie Software used the occasion to reflect on the project's trajectory, noting that it has become a tradition to release a detailed update on the anniversary date.
- The company began as an open-source initiative but pivoted to developing a full line of products after realizing that generating revenue solely from the open-source project was not feasible.
- The founders also referenced past tensions with industry giant F5, specifically regarding the history of Nginx.
Quick Summary
The Angie web server has officially reached its third year of existence. The founders of Angie Software marked this milestone with a detailed retrospective on the project's progress over the last 12 months. This annual update has become a standard practice for the team, following the success of previous anniversary posts.
While the project began as an open-source initiative, the company has since evolved into a manufacturer of a full line of products. The founders noted the importance of documenting their thoughts on the open-source project and the specific environment developers face in 2025. The update also revisits the company's origins and its relationship with the broader industry landscape.
Three Years of Angie 🎂
The Angie web server has reached a significant milestone, completing three years since its launch. The founders of Angie Software confirmed the anniversary, noting that it has become a tradition to release a comprehensive text describing the past year's events. This latest update is intended to document the state of the open-source project and its position within the industry.
The team expressed hope that readers would find the detailed update interesting, similar to the reception of the previous year's 'Two Years of Angie' post. The founders indicated that this year's text serves a dual purpose: to fixate on thoughts surrounding the open-source project and to highlight the specific context of the current year for developers.
From Open Source to Product Line
The history of Angie Software involves a significant pivot in business strategy. The founders previously detailed how the company was created and why it started with an open-source approach. A key factor in the project's appearance was the involvement of Chinese colleagues.
However, the founders realized that monetizing the open-source project alone was not viable. Consequently, the company 'rapidly changed course' to focus on the production of a full line of products. This shift marked a transition from a purely community-driven project to a commercial software entity.
Industry Context and History
Reflecting on the industry landscape, the founders referenced past interactions with major competitors. Specifically, they mentioned F5 and the history of Nginx. The founders previously noted that F5 had 'erased' their colleagues from the history of Nginx.
These reflections provide context for the current operating environment of Angie Software. The founders emphasized that the anniversary post is necessary to understand the reality that open-source developers are forced to navigate in the current year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has the Angie web server been in development?
The Angie web server has been in development for three years.
What is the business model of Angie Software?
Angie Software initially focused on open-source but shifted to manufacturing a full line of products.



