Other servers do benchmark better

The commercial vendors have emphasized performing well under laboratory conditions; optimizing file system interaction to qucikly deliver static file objects. The focus on this component of a Web servers' duties and the artificial conditions under which they're tested has misrepresented these servers as faster.

Apache implements HTTP standards and stability

The real world has HTTP clients and client OS' that are variously fast and loose with how they implement protocols. Apache's ability to be tuned and adapt to these real world conditions are among its greatest virtues.

All modern Web servers have some extension facilities but they're limited to what the vendor is willing to dole out

I like the tools that are on my Leatherman pocket tool but I can't add or remove functionality - I either get what I need from the given tools or I have the wrong tool set.

Apache is designed for extensibility

More like a Yakima roof rack kit; you put together components, adding, removing or trading functionality to suit your application. Take down the ski rack for the bikes or have both bikes and a kayak -- whatever adventure you have in store, you can configure the utility to fit. That's what I like about Apache as well.