Just found some numbers on .htaccess by nginx:

https://www.nginx.com/resources/wiki/start/topics/examples/likeapache-htaccess/

This may look like comparing Apache vs. nginx, but it is not. It is comparing .htaccess enabled (the Apache case) vs. .htaccess disabled / not implemented (the nginx case). Apache with AllowOverride none should be the same as nginx.

To explain: Each FS stat and each FS read is "expensive" and should be avoided where possible for a fast webserver. .htaccess forces more FS stats and more FS reads, and so the numbers for .htaccess enabled (the Apache case) are way higher than for .htaccess disabled / not implemented (the nginx case).

Alexander