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Apache Tomcat VS Apache

Compare Apache Tomcat VS Apache and see what are their differences

Apache Tomcat logo Apache Tomcat

An open source software implementation of the Java Servlet and JavaServer Pages technologies

Apache logo Apache

Home page of The Apache Software Foundation
  • Apache Tomcat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-24
  • Apache Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-04

Apache Tomcat features and specs

  • Open Source
    Apache Tomcat is an open-source software, which means it is freely available for use and modifications. This can significantly reduce the cost of ownership and allows for customization.
  • Community Support
    Being a widely-used open-source server, Tomcat has a large and active community of developers and users who contribute to its documentation, plugins, and forums, providing extensive support.
  • Lightweight
    Tomcat is designed to be a lightweight servlet container, making it faster and less resource-intensive compared to full-blown Java EE application servers.
  • Integration with Popular Frameworks
    Tomcat integrates well with popular Java frameworks such as Spring and Hibernate, making it easier for developers to deploy and manage web applications.
  • Easy to Set Up and Configure
    Tomcat is relatively easy to set up and configure, making it suitable for both development and production environments.
  • Frequent Updates
    Regular updates and patches are released to improve performance, security, and compatibility, ensuring the server is up-to-date with the latest web technologies.

Possible disadvantages of Apache Tomcat

  • Limited Functionality
    While Tomcat is a powerful servlet container, it lacks some of the advanced features found in full-fledged Java EE application servers, which might be necessary for complex enterprise applications.
  • Resource Management
    Tomcat's default configuration might not be suitable for high traffic web applications, requiring significant tweaking and tuning to handle heavy loads effectively.
  • Documentation Quality
    The documentation, while extensive, can sometimes be hard to navigate and understand, especially for beginners. This can slow down the learning curve.
  • Limited Built-in Tools
    Compared to other full-stack application servers, Tomcat comes with limited built-in tooling for monitoring, load balancing, and clustering, often requiring third-party solutions.
  • Security Concerns
    As with any open-source project, security vulnerabilities may emerge. It requires constant monitoring and timely updates to ensure security.
  • Lack of EJB Support
    Tomcat does not support Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB), limiting its use in scenarios where EJB is a crucial component of the architecture.

Apache features and specs

  • Open Source
    Apache HTTP Server is an open-source software, so it is free to use, modify, and distribute according to the terms of the Apache License. This provides flexibility and cost savings for developers and organizations.
  • Community Support
    There is a large community of developers and users who contribute to Apache HTTP Server, providing extensive documentation, forums, and support. This makes troubleshooting and finding resources easier.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Apache HTTP Server is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including UNIX, Linux, MacOS, and Windows, allowing for flexibility in deployment environments.
  • Highly Configurable
    Apache is highly configurable through its numerous modules which can be used to extend its capabilities and customize its behavior to meet specific needs.
  • Proven Stability and Security
    Apache has been around for a long time and is known for its stability and reliability. Regular security updates and patches help maintain its robust security posture.

Possible disadvantages of Apache

  • Resource Intensive
    Apache can be more resource-intensive than other lightweight web servers, potentially leading to higher memory and CPU usage on large-scale deployments.
  • Complex Configuration
    The configuration of Apache can be complex, requiring significant expertise to optimize performance and ensure security in more comprehensive deployment scenarios.
  • Performance
    In some situations, especially with static content, Apache can be outperformed by newer web servers like Nginx, which may offer better speed and efficiency under high loads.
  • Thread-Based Architecture
    Apacheโ€™s thread-based architecture can be less efficient in handling a large number of concurrent connections compared to event-driven architectures.

Analysis of Apache Tomcat

Overall verdict

  • Apache Tomcat is generally regarded as a reliable and effective solution for serving Java applications. Its widespread use and strong community support make it an excellent choice for developers who require a straightforward and efficient servlet container.

Why this product is good

  • Apache Tomcat is a robust, open-source web server and servlet container used to deploy Java Servlets and JSPs (Java Server Pages). It is developed and maintained by the Apache Software Foundation, which ensures a high level of support and regular updates. Tomcat is known for its lightweight nature, ease of use, and ability to integrate seamlessly with many Java-based applications.

Recommended for

  • Java developers in need of an open-source and lightweight servlet container.
  • Organizations looking to serve Java-based web applications.
  • Development teams that require a flexible and customizable environment with robust community support.

Apache Tomcat videos

Introducing Apache Tomcat 8.5

More videos:

  • Review - Webinar: Introduction to Apache Tomcat 8
  • Review - Tcat - The Leading Enterprise Apache Tomcat Application Server

Apache videos

2021 TVS Apache RTR 160 Complete & Honest Review with new price update | Pearl White Apache 160 โšกโšกโšก

More videos:

  • Review - 2020 New TVS Apache RTR 160 4V (BS6) Detailed Review | New Changes | Walkaround | Price | Featuresโšกโšก
  • Review - TVS Apache 160 2v BS6 Review - High On Price !!!
  • Review - TVS Apache RTR 310 Realtime Review after Testing - Things to know |Who can buy?
  • Review - Experience the FIREPOWER of the AH-64 Apache!
  • Review - Yamaha MT-15 V2 vs TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Comparison Review: The Best Beginner Sporty Street Bike

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Apache Tomcat and Apache)
Web And Application Servers
Application Server
94 94%
6% 6
Web Servers
90 90%
10% 10
Java
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Apache Tomcat and Apache

Apache Tomcat Reviews

FOSS | Top 15 Web Servers 2021
Java programs are run using Apache Tomcat. To be more precise, it is a Java servlet โ€“ a Java software component that expands the functionality of a web server. Apache Tomcat, released under the Apache License version 2, is used by 0.1% of websites worldwide.
Source: www.zentao.pm
4 Open Source Application Servers (Comparison and Review)
Apache Tomcat is an open-source implementation of several Java technologies. It is the result of a collaboration of the finest developers worldwide. You can get involved with the development in a number of ways.
Source: shadow-soft.com
Top 5 open source web servers
Apache Tomcat is an open source Java servlet container that functions as a web server. A Java servlet is a Java program that extends the capabilities of a server. Although servlets can respond to any types of requests, they most commonly implement applications hosted on Web servers. Such web servlets are the Java counterpart to other dynamic web content technologies such as...
Source: opensource.com
Top 10 Open Source Java and JavaEE Application Servers
It is built upon a modular kernel powered by OSGi, and runs straight on top of the Apache Felix implementation. It is also capable of running with Equinox OSGi or Knopflerfish OSGi runtimes. HK2 abstracts the OSGi module system to provide components, which can also be viewed as services and injected into the run time and uses a derivative of Apache Tomcat as the servlet...

Apache Reviews

Apache, IIS, NGINX, GWS : Whatโ€™s Your Choice?
Utilizing a specific type of virtual or physical server determines the type of web server software you use. If you prefer Microsoft, then you will prefer to use IIS (Internet Information Services / Server) by Microsoft as your primary web server application solution. If you use Linux distribution, you have other alternatives like Apache, NGINX and LiteSpeed.
Source: www.milesweb.in
FOSS | Top 15 Web Servers 2021
According to W3Techs, the most popular web server is the Apache HTTP Server, which is used by 34.1% of websites as of March 2021. The BuiltWith Internet services corporation has 62,624,313 live websites that use Apache. ZenTao uses Apache to start its server for ALM project management tool users.
Source: www.zentao.pm
What Is the Most Popular Web Server Application in 2021?
Despite being bundled with most modern Microsoft software, IIS loses out to Apache on its own devices. The main selling point here is performance. While IIS has kept up with Apache in recent times, Apache has historically been performing much better, which still gives it an edge over IIS.
Top Linux Web Servers: Pros and Cons
Now that we know their advantages and disadvantages, which web server is the best? The answer depends on your use case. Nginx is a very fast and powerful option, Apache is a great general-purpose web server, while LiteSpeed represents a premium alternative. Caddy works great if you need simplicity, while Lighthttpd works best when resources are low.
Source: bigstep.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Apache should be more popular than Apache Tomcat. It has been mentiond 28 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Apache Tomcat mentions (18)

  • Choosing a dependency
    For most mature organizations, commercial support is a requirement. Commercial dependencies provide such support by nature. For Open Source projects, support ranges from none to companies providing support on projects as part of their core business. Most of the time, these companies employ developers working on the project. For example, Tomitribe and HeroDevs offer support for the Tomcat servlet engine hosted by... - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • Java News: WildFly 36, Spring Milestones, and Open Liberty Updates
    Versions 11.0.6 and 9.0.104 of Apache Tomcat deliver new features and improvements. The release notes can be found for both versions. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Artifactory: Centralizing Artifact Management for DevOps Success
    Download and Install Tomcat Before downloading, confirm the latest Tomcat build package from the official website. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • How to Deploy Applications Using Tomcat on a Web Server
    First, download the latest version of Tomcat from the official Apache Tomcat website. Choose the version that suits your needs, typically the latest stable release. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
  • Spring Boot Monitoring with Open-Source Tools
    Manual instrumentation allows you to define your Spans within the code itself rather than relying on automatic instrumentation finding the entry point for a trace. Manual instrumentation is especially helpful for applications that donโ€™t use an application server such as Tomcat, JBoss, or Jetty. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
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Apache mentions (28)

  • How to Add Error Handling and Monitoring to a Data Pipeline
    For pipeline implementation, Python with SQLAlchemy is the standard stack for custom ETL with relational databases. PostgreSQL handles both pipeline operational state (dead-letter tables, run logs) and destination storage. For orchestration-level error handling and retry policies, Apache Airflow provides per-task retry configuration and failure branching. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • The Real Cost of Silent Data Pipeline Failures
    For monitoring infrastructure, Prometheus and Grafana are widely used for pipeline metrics collection and alerting. For orchestration that includes built-in run observability, Apache Airflow tracks run history, task durations, and failure states in a web UI. Python with SQLAlchemy is the standard stack for custom pipeline implementation with relational state management. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Sunsetting Jazzband
    I don't know how many maintainers that are impacted by this, or what they are getting from Jazzband (I was not previously familiar), but the Apache foundation may be something to look into. https://apache.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Choosing a dependency
    Open Source ones provide several alternatives regarding governance: a foundation, a community of developers, or a single one. Foundations are the most stable form of governance, similar to companies. Some may even support projects financially. Note that not all foundations are equal: the Apache Foundation, the Eclipse Foundation, and the Linux Foundation operate under very different models. The Apache Foundation... - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • Sustainable Funding for Open Source: Navigating Challenges and Emerging Innovations
    This post explores the critical issue of sustainable funding for open source projects. We dive into historical challenges, innovative funding strategies, and future trends that aim to support the collaborative spirit of open source development. Using examples from corporate sponsorships, non-profit foundations, crowdfunding methods, subscription models, government grants, and commercialization, the article... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Apache Tomcat and Apache, you can also consider the following products

LiteSpeed Web Server - LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) is a high-performance Apache drop-in replacement.

nginx - A high performance free open source web server powering busiest sites on the Internet.

Microsoft IIS - Internet Information Services is a web server for Microsoft Windows

Apache HTTP Server - Apache httpd has been the most popular web server on the Internet since April 1996

lighttpd - A secure, fast, compliant, and very flexible web-server that has been optimized for high-performance environments

Eclipse Jetty - Jetty is a highly scalable modular servlet engine and http server that natively supports many modern protocols like SPDY and WebSockets.