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Microsoft IIS VS Apache

Compare Microsoft IIS VS Apache and see what are their differences

LibHunt
LibHunt tracks mentions of software libraries on relevant social networks. Based on that data, you can find the most popular projects and their alternatives. featured
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  3. » Reviews
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Microsoft IIS logo Microsoft IIS

Internet Information Services is a web server for Microsoft Windows

Apache logo Apache

Home page of The Apache Software Foundation
  • Microsoft IIS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-25
  • Apache Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-04

Microsoft IIS features and specs

  • Integration with Windows Server
    Since IIS is developed by Microsoft, it offers seamless integration with Windows Server, leveraging features like Active Directory, .NET Framework, and PowerShell for enhanced performance and manageability.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    IIS features a graphical user interface (GUI) that simplifies the server setup and management process, making it easier for administrators to configure and maintain web applications.
  • Extensive Documentation and Support
    Being a product from Microsoft, IIS offers comprehensive documentation, extensive online resources, and professional technical support, which can be highly beneficial for enterprise users.
  • Security Features
    IIS includes various built-in security features, such as dynamic IP restrictions, request filtering, application pooling, and integration with Windows authentication, making it a secure choice for hosting web applications.
  • Performance and Scalability
    IIS is optimized for performance and can effectively handle multiple requests and high-traffic websites. It also supports load balancing and server farms to enhance scalability.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft IIS

  • Cost Considerations
    Unlike some other web servers that are open-source and free, IIS may incur licensing costs as it requires a Windows Server license, making it potentially expensive for small-scale deployments.
  • Platform Dependency
    IIS runs exclusively on the Windows platform, which can be a limitation for organizations that use a diverse set of operating systems or prefer open-source ecosystems like Linux.
  • Complex Configuration for Advanced Features
    While IIS offers a user-friendly interface for basic setups, configuring advanced features may require considerable expertise and can become complex, particularly for those unfamiliar with Microsoft's environment.
  • Performance Overheads
    IIS may introduce performance overhead due to the multiple layers of abstraction and integration with Windows features, which can affect performance in some high-demand scenarios compared to lightweight, minimalist web servers.
  • Lower Community Support
    Open-source web servers like Apache and Nginx have large, active communities that contribute to continuous improvement and troubleshooting. IIS, being a proprietary product, has a smaller community in comparison.

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
    Apache’s thread-based architecture can be less efficient in handling a large number of concurrent connections compared to event-driven architectures.

Microsoft IIS videos

+ Add

Analyzing Microsoft IIS Web Logs - Part 1

More videos:

  • Review - My SEO Video 2017 Microsoft IIS SEO Toolkit

Apache videos

+ Add

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

More videos:

  • Review - 2020 New TVS Apache RTR 160 4V (BS6) Detailed Review | New Changes | Walkaround | Price | Features⚡⚡
  • 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 Microsoft IIS and Apache)

Microsoft IIS

Apache

Web And Application Servers
92 92%
Web And Application Servers
8% 8
Web Servers
94 94%
Web Servers
6% 6
Application Server
93 93%
Application Server
7% 7
Development Tools
100 100%
Development Tools
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Microsoft IIS and Apache. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

Microsoft IIS Reviews

Apache, IIS, NGINX, GWS : What’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
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.
Source: digitalintheround.com

Apache Reviews

Apache, IIS, NGINX, GWS : What’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.
Source: digitalintheround.com
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 seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 23 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.

Microsoft IIS mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Microsoft IIS yet. Tracking of Microsoft IIS recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Apache mentions (23)

  • Navigating the Future: Sustainable Funding for Open Source
    Non-Profit Foundations: Foundations like the Apache Software Foundation and the Linux Foundation pool resources to support critical open source projects. These organizations ensure the proper allocation of funds and provide necessary infrastructure and governance. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Install Apache on Windows in a Few Simple Steps
    The Apache Software Foundation offers open source software used around the world, with over 8,400 committers contributing to more than 320 active projects [https://apache.org/]. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Shades of Open Source - Understanding The Many Meanings of "Open"
    It's this kind of certainty that underscores the vital role of the Apache Software Foundation (ASF). Many first encounter Apache through its pioneering project, the open-source web server framework that remains ubiquitous in web operations today. The ASF was initially created to hold the intellectual property and assets of the Apache project, and it has since evolved into a cornerstone for open-source projects... - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • Why Do I Love Open Source?
    Back in 2015, Java was owned by Sun Microsystems (now part of Oracle) and along with MySQL had a thriving open-source community and ecosystem. A lot of this was under the Apache and Eclipse Foundations. I fondly remember projects such as Tomcat, BERT, the Eclipse IDE, Maven, and so forth. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Tarsnap has given 2^18 dollars to open source
    That might be an issue for smaller projects but at larger scales there is often an associated charity. For example https://apache.org/ and https://numfocus.org/community/mission are both 501(c)(3) registered charitable organizations. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

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

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

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

XAMPP - XAMPP is a free and open-source cross-platform web server that is primarily used when locally developing web applications.

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