IBM WebSphere Application Server vs IIS comparison

IBM and Microsoft are both solutions in the Application Server category. IBM is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.8, while Microsoft is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.3. IBM holds a 12.7% mindshare in AppS, compared to Microsoft’s 6.8% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 89% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

IBM WebSphere Application S...

Read 31 IBM WebSphere Application Server reviews

2,795 Views
2,022 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

IIS

Read 56 IIS reviews

1,545 Views
1,163 Comparison Views

89% willing to recommend

IBM WebSphere Application S...

IIS

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 2, 2025

IBM WebSphere Application Server and IIS are both in the enterprise application server sector. IIS seems to have the upper hand due to its cost-effectiveness and tight integration with Microsoft environments, while IBM WebSphere offers a comprehensive feature set appealing to complex enterprise needs.

Features: IBM WebSphere stands out for its robust scalability, Java application support, and extensive middleware integration. It offers solid data consistency, exceptional scalability with Network Deployment, and robust security features. On the other hand, IIS excels with seamless integration into Microsoft's ecosystem, efficient handling of web applications in .NET, and easy configuration with development tools.

Room for Improvement: IBM WebSphere could enhance user accessibility for deployment processes, reduce complexity in initial setup, and improve efficiency for non-Java applications. IIS can improve by offering enhanced support for non-Microsoft environments, better handling of high-volume transactions, and more advanced analytics features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IIS is recognized for its straightforward deployment within Windows environments, benefiting from consistent updates and comprehensive documentation. IBM WebSphere, despite offering powerful features, faces challenges in deployment due to its complex configuration, necessitating specialized knowledge, but it provides dedicated support to address these complexities.

Pricing and ROI: IIS is more cost-attractive with lower licensing fees, yielding favorable ROI especially for businesses entrenched within Microsoft infrastructure. Conversely, IBM WebSphere presents strong long-term ROI for organizations requiring robust, high-volume transaction processing, albeit with higher initial setup costs.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM WebSphere Application Server vs. IIS Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM WebSphere Application Server vs. IIS

April 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

IBM WebSphere Application S...

Ranking in Application Server

5th

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

5th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

IIS

Ranking in Application Server

4th

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

1st

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Application Server category, the mindshare of IBM WebSphere Application Server is 12.7%, up from 11.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IIS is 6.8%, down from 6.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Server

Featured Reviews

BharathirajaSukumar

Senior Lead Analyst at Radial

Efficient load balancing and the clustering, achieved by using the deployment manager, is valuable

I believe that the system is already good. However, for improvement or enhancement, it is user-friendly, but it could offer better choices on the front end for different aspects or options. Sometimes, I have to search extensively for features, as there are no upfront tabs. There is a lack of visible, easy, user-friendly, and straightforward options for the number of features.

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DanielWildermuth

Testtool expert at Helvetia Versicherungen

Provides integration with Eggplant but problems with stability

We use Windows Server only for Eggplant Manager. Otherwise, I'm not using it At the moment, we have big problems with stability, and I'm not very happy at the moment. So, the stability could be improved. I have been using it for a few years. The initial setup is complex. We have an…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The scalability of the product is quite good."

"As compared to other applications, it has tremendous support. We have built internal capability so that we use it extensively internally. It is also easier to use with the outside data. You can write in ESQL, Java, or any other technology that you want to use for development. So, it is a lot more flexible in the language that it supports."

"The integration between IBM tools and applications is very well executed."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is Portal Virtualization."

"One of the most valuable features might be the stability of the IBM WebSphere Application Server."

"Without the Admin Console it would be very hard to configure JVM settings, JDBC datasources, mail session settings, and security providers."

"IBM WAS is the backbone for our enterprise content management suite which delivers the primary processes for our customers. Without a good application server, it would be hard to provide a secure layer of midddleware upon which the other applications run. IBM WAS improves the stability of the entire solution and provides a high quality platform for running web-based solutions."

"Ease of administration: It has an Integrated Solutions Console, what we call the administrative console, with very detailed configurations and Help pages for each configurable item."

More IBM WebSphere Application Server pros

"Stability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten...Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten."

"IIS's most valuable feature is user-friendliness."

"IIS works natively with Windows Server without any issues in publishing certificates."

"It's good and offers good usability."

"The graphical user interface makes it easy for users to configure the sites."

"This is definitely a stable solution."

"Microsoft's technical support has always been very good."

"It helps scan and mitigates our vulnerabilities using the best protocols to secure our environment."

More IIS pros

Cons

"WebSphere is very cumbersome and not user-friendly. It used to have its own JVM, which presented challenges such as different architecture and memory leaks."

"The business logic side of it is sort of missing in the sense that if I want to track and measure velocity, it is not really available. You have to buy another application and embark on a separate implementation. Instead of having different licensing, IBM DataPower should be integrated with WebSphere. It will allow us to build the business layer and rules a lot more efficiently, rather than developing rules within the application. It would be good if we can set up the business layer through parametrization rather than development. IBM DataPower has the business rule and the controls, and if it can be integrated, it would be fantastic. It will help the application in working better in terms of security features and business logic. If you're going to use it for open banking, you will be able to monitor velocity on the total pricing."

"The licensing could be improved, and I would like it to give the longevity of the lifespan of the visions. In the next release, I would like to be able to download and extract the files so that I can just use my application server."

"I think in some moments, the security was a little bit more complex to configure when it was delegated to other systems, making it an area where improvements are required."

"When compared with WebLogic, Weblogic is lighter and consumes less memory."

"Initial setup is very simple. Just use the IBM Installation Manager and add the packages. The install wizard takes care of the rest. The only thing that can be difficult is to find the right packages on the IBM website, because of all the changes that IBM does on its website(s)."

"Based on the field and based on the build that was provided, we've noticed a lot of constraints in terms of the performance now."

"The security could be better."

More IBM WebSphere Application Server cons

"The visibility feature of the product is an area with certain shortcomings where improvements are required."

"The only issue I've encountered is with certificates not working fine sometimes. It's influenced by the server's service performance."

"In the next release, the tool should be more easily integrated and configured with other provisions. The pricing should also be made cheaper since it's very expensive now."

"There is an issue with the network. The tool's price is also high."

"If Microsoft IIS could work well with AppOptics or things like PHP, Python, and other custom languages that run on the webserver, it would be ideal. I think there are cases where people need to use Apache instead of IIS when IIS doesn't work well with other web languages."

"Presently, some developers do not have technical knowledge of managing IIS, so that needs to be improved in the next release."

"The solution's stability needs improvement."

"Performance-wise, certain improvements in IIS are needed...IIS is not scalable. Its scalability is less."

More IIS cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"WebSphere Application Server is expensive, so it may not be a good option for small companies."

"The pricing is a little expensive."

"It's expensive."

"Room for improvement would only be in the licensing. As with all IBM products the licensing can be complex and expensive. Bargain well and try to get as much discount as possible. Discounts of 85% are possible. Without the discount, I think the product is overrated."

"It costs more than some of the others, but, you get what you pay for."

"There is an Eclipse Plugin provided by IBM, so no need to buy IBM Rational Application Developer or Rational Software Architect tools."

"If your application is just a web app that does not need to scale big, you can obtain a single core license of WAS Express edition, which has almost the same features with limited processing cores. If you manage a very big application farm (i.e. need to run 10 or more WAS servers) it is better to get IBM WAS Hypervisor Edition."

"The solution is quite expensive."

More IBM WebSphere Application Server pricing and cost advice

"The yearly licensing cost is very high. The solution is very expensive."

"I didn't need to get an additional license for the solution since it was included in my server."

"It is licensed with your Windows installation which makes it relatively cheap if you already have a Windows Server sitting around."

"We purchased a Microsoft Windows license and the license for IIS came in the package."

"The tool's pricing is on a yearly basis."

"There is an annual license to use this solution and the price could be better."

"The price of the cloud system is a bit high."

"I give the price of the solution a five out of ten."

More IIS pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

31%

Computer Software Company

14%

Insurance Company

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

14%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM WebSphere Application Server?

Network Deployment is the most useful feature for scalability. It has many features within the standard WebSphere Application Server edition.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM WebSphere Application Server?

In Korea, when you buy IBM iOS, the WebSphere base version is included with iOS. That means no additional cost.

See all answers

What needs improvement with IBM WebSphere Application Server?

I find the server okay, however, using the Maker instance, the Moving instance, and the Change instance is a little bit complicated without WebSphere knowledge.

See all answers

Which is better - IIS or NGINX Plus?

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,...

See all answers

What do you like most about IIS?

The product is flexible.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IIS?

If you have a Windows license, there is no additional cost for IIS. However, you may need to pay for SSL publishing at times.

See all answers

Comparisons

JBoss Enterprise Application Platform vs IBM WebSphere Application Server

Compared 27% of the time

JBoss vs IBM WebSphere Application Server

Compared 24% of the time

Tomcat vs IBM WebSphere Application Server

Compared 17% of the time

Oracle WebLogic Server vs IBM WebSphere Application Server

Compared 9% of the time

HCL Digital Experience vs IBM WebSphere Application Server

Compared 2% of the time

More IBM WebSphere Application Server Competitors

NGINX Plus vs IIS

Compared 29% of the time

Apache Web Server vs IIS

Compared 23% of the time

Oracle WebLogic Server vs IIS

Compared 16% of the time

Tomcat vs IIS

Compared 14% of the time

Windows Process Activation Services vs IIS

Compared 2% of the time

More IIS Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM WebSphere Application Server

April 2025

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IIS

April 2025

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Also Known As

WebSphere Application Server

Windows Server IIS

Overview

IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) is a middleware platform developed by IBM. It provides a range of services and tools to help organizations develop, deploy, and manage Java-based applications. WAS is part of IBM's WebSphere product family and provides a secure, scalable, and highly available platform for developing and running web-based applications. WAS provides a secure, scalable, and highly available platform, making it an attractive solution for organizations looking to develop and deploy enterprise-grade applications.

IBM WebSphere Application Server Features

IBM WebSphere Application Server has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

Application deployment: IBM WAS enables organizations to deploy and manage applications in a secure and scalable environment.

Clustering: The clustering feature can help organizations ensure high availability and improve application performance.

Load balancing: The solution Includes load balancing capabilities to distribute application workloads and improve performance.

Security: IBM WAS offers a range of security features, including authentication, authorization, and encryption, to help organizations secure their applications and data.

Monitoring and management: The solution’s range of tools for monitoring and managing applications, including the IBM WebSphere Administrative Console allows organizations to optimize application performance and resolve issues easily.

Integration: IBM WAS integrates with a range of IBM and third-party products, including IBM WebSphere MQ, IBM DB2, and more, to provide a comprehensive platform for developing and running web-based applications.

IBM WebSphere Application Server Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing IBM WebSphere Application Server. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

Improved application performance: The IBM WAS platform offers a scalable and secure platform for deploying and managing applications, enabling organizations to improve application performance and reduce downtime.

High availability: IBM WAS provides clustering and load-balancing capabilities to help organizations ensure high availability.

Improved security: With a large range of security features, including authentication, authorization, and encryption, the solution helps organizations secure their applications and data.

Simplified management: IBM WAS is designed with a set of tools for monitoring and managing applications, enabling organizations to optimize performance and resolve issues efficiently.

Increased flexibility: The solution integrates with a range of IBM and third-party products, providing organizations with a flexible platform for developing and running web-based applications.

Improved developer productivity: It supports the latest Java EE specifications, allowing developers to use the latest technologies and development methodologies when building applications.

Better customer experience: Organizations can deliver faster and more reliable applications, improving the overall customer experience.

Scalability: IBM WAS provides a scalable and secure platform for deploying and managing applications, so organizations can quickly respond to changing business requirements.

Reviews from Real Users

IBM WebSphere Application Server is a solution that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Some of its major advantages are that it is stable, supports many languages, and is resilient.

Princewill O., Head Banking Application Customization and Reporting at a financial services firm, states, “[The solution is] very stable, supports many languages, and helpful for faster time to market.”

"What's most valuable in IBM WebSphere Application Server is its resilience. When you use the solution, you know that after the communication has been done, there will be no doubt that the data has reached its destination,” says Nicolae C., System and Solutions Architect at Seidor.

Another PeerSpot reviewer, an Enterprise Technical Leader at a tech services company mentions, “[It is an] enterprise-level product with extensive console capabilities, including the ability to control multiple JVM containers.”

IBM

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.

Microsoft

Sample Customers

TalkTalk, Property management group, E.SUN Bank, Ohio National Financial Services, Aviarc, Cincom Systems, FJA-US, D+H, Staples, Michigan Municipal League

Erste Bank Group, NJVC, Samsung Electronics, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Tata Steel Europe, Urban Software Institute

Buyer's Guide

IBM WebSphere Application Server vs. IIS

April 2025

Free Report: IBM WebSphere Application Server vs. IIS

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