Apache Web Server vs IIS comparison

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3,813 views|3,203 comparisons
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Read 53 IIS reviews
7,247 views|5,808 comparisons
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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Apache Web Server and IIS based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Application Infrastructure solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Apache Web Server vs. IIS Report (Updated: March 2024).
763,955 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The product is very cheap and stable.""It is more secure to use Apache and you will have fewer problems than other web services.""The open-source nature is one of its most significant advantages.""Apache has proven to be incredibly reliable, and everything has operated smoothly without encountering any issues.""Most of the features I liked were related to the performance during peak hours.""Its community is its most valuable feature. Solving problems is easier on Apache because so many people know this product.""The solution's most valuable feature is reporting.""The best thing about Apache is that it is open-source, so implementing my platform on-premises is less expansive than other solutions."

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"The graphical user interface makes it easy for users to configure the sites.""The most valuable feature of IIS is the database it provides.""IIS's best features are its management console and stability.""The interface, simplicity, and ease of management are all good features that make this user-friendly.""The solution is simple and very easy to manage compared to Linux.""The initial setup of IIS is easy. The process takes only five minutes.""The solution is easy to use, easy to maintain and isn't too technical.""IIS is stable."

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Cons
"I want the user interface to be more user-friendly.""Adding a reverse proxy to Apache Web Server would be a significant improvement.""The major issue occurs with ports. So, I would like to see easier port management.""In future releases, I would like to see better server optimization.""Things change very fast. We're always on the lookout for better approaches and tools. If the solution falls behind, we may have to switch.""It would be great if technical support for Apache were available in Iran. It is a very important need.""The product's initial setup process could be easier for users.""There is a security-related problem that depends on the web server's configuration."

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"The areas of this solution that need improvement are monitoring, debugging, and troubleshooting.""The documentation of IIS could be better. They are not easily accessible. I had to use YouTube and other online resources to learn how to use the solution properly.""I am using an older version of Windows Server IIS and the general management and navigation to get something done is not as straightforward as I hope it to be. The interface could be improved.""The graphical user interface has room for improvement and can be more user-friendly.""There is an issue with the network. The tool's price is also high.""Scalability issues and security concerns need attention from Microsoft.""Having no support for other than a Microsoft environment and programming languages limits the usage of IIS in many cases.""The customer service and support team can be improved."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The apache software is free, open-source."
  • "It is a free-of-cost solution."
  • "There is no licensing cost for the product."
  • "It is an open-source solution."
  • More Apache Web Server Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "It is licensed with your Windows installation which makes it relatively cheap if you already have a Windows Server sitting around."
  • "This solution comes included with Windows Server."
  • "The price of the cloud system is a bit high."
  • "The price of Windows Server IIS is expensive. They have a large user base, and they charge a little bit too much."
  • "We purchased a Microsoft Windows license and the license for IIS came in the package."
  • "I think it's part of the Windows Server, so you won't have any other costs to add in order to use the IIS service."
  • "I was using the trial version of IIS inside my virtual machines."
  • "I give the price of the solution a five out of ten."
  • More IIS Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:Most of the features I liked were related to the performance during peak hours.
    Top Answer:Some free licenses come under that Apache license. So I don't think we need to pay anything for it.
    Top Answer:Enhanced security features would be great. In future releases, I would like to see better server optimization.
    Top Answer:IIS is a flexible, secure, and manageable web server to host anything on the web. IIS’s scalable and open architecture can handle the most demanding tasks. From media streaming to web applications… more »
    Top Answer:The product is cost-effective. We do not have to buy it. The tool is included with Windows. We license the Windows environment on a monthly basis. It is expensive. Sometimes, it is cheaper to run… more »
    Ranking
    Views
    3,813
    Comparisons
    3,203
    Reviews
    11
    Average Words per Review
    377
    Rating
    8.7
    Views
    7,247
    Comparisons
    5,808
    Reviews
    33
    Average Words per Review
    296
    Rating
    8.1
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Apache HTTP Server
    Windows Server IIS
    Learn More
    Overview

    The Apache HTTP Server Project was founded in 1995 by a group of webmasters, known as The Apache Group, with the aim of developing robust, richly-featured, freely-available and commercial-standard Web (HTTP) server source code. The result was Apache Web Server or Apache HTTP Server, which is an open-source public-domain web server.

    This collaborative project has been enhanced ever since with contributions from the core development team and other volunteers situated all over the globe. Also, hundreds of users of this open-source web server have contributed code, ideas, and documentation. The project falls under The Apache Software Foundation, which manages many open-source projects.

    Internet Information Services (IIS) provides a secure, easy-to-manage, modular and extensible platform for reliably hosting websites, services and applications. With IIS, you get choice and control without giving up reliability or security.
    Sample Customers
    Cisco, Intuit, General Electric, Adobe, VMware, PayPal, HP, EMC, eBay, Apple, SAP, Qualcomm, SanDisk, Allstate, FedEx
    Erste Bank Group, NJVC, Samsung Electronics, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Tata Steel Europe, Urban Software Institute
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company29%
    Financial Services Firm21%
    University7%
    Government7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Financial Services Firm15%
    Computer Software Company13%
    Government8%
    Comms Service Provider7%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company18%
    Comms Service Provider14%
    Manufacturing Company11%
    Transportation Company11%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company13%
    Financial Services Firm11%
    Comms Service Provider11%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise36%
    Large Enterprise36%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business22%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise62%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business50%
    Midsize Enterprise12%
    Large Enterprise38%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business22%
    Midsize Enterprise15%
    Large Enterprise63%
    Buyer's Guide
    Apache Web Server vs. IIS
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Apache Web Server vs. IIS and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    763,955 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Apache Web Server is ranked 3rd in Application Infrastructure with 11 reviews while IIS is ranked 1st in Application Infrastructure with 36 reviews. Apache Web Server is rated 8.6, while IIS is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of Apache Web Server writes "Useful in deploying servers to host websites with good modularity". On the other hand, the top reviewer of IIS writes "Easy to install, and integrate with the operating system". Apache Web Server is most compared with NGINX Plus, IBM WebSphere Application Server, Microsoft .NET Framework, Zend PHP Engine and IBM DataPower Gateway, whereas IIS is most compared with NGINX Plus, Tomcat, Oracle WebLogic Server, JBoss and Microsoft .NET Framework. See our Apache Web Server vs. IIS report.

    See our list of best Application Infrastructure vendors.

    We monitor all Application Infrastructure reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.