Apache Web Server vs IIS comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Apache and Microsoft are both solutions in the Application Infrastructure category. Apache is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.5, while Microsoft is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.3. Apache holds a 6.4% mindshare in AIS, compared to Microsoft’s 6.1% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Apache users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

Apache Web Server

Read 24 Apache Web Server reviews

4,015 Views
3,975 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IIS

Read 61 IIS reviews

7,223 Views
4,695 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Apache Web Server

IIS

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 5, 2025

IIS and Apache Web Server compete in the web server category. Apache seems to have the upper hand due to its open-source nature and cross-platform compatibility.

Features: IIS integrates seamlessly with Windows and offers robust security with application pools and process isolation. It is easy to use for Microsoft ecosystem users and provides performance benefits when hosting applications. Apache, known for stability and flexibility, is the most widely used web server worldwide. It is open-source, supports multiple operating systems, and efficiently handles extensive client requests.

Room for Improvement: IIS faces compatibility issues outside Microsoft environments and can be challenging to scale. Troubleshooting is not intuitive for unfamiliar users. Apache requires detailed command-line configuration, which can be daunting for less experienced users. It lacks support for the .NET framework and structured customer support outside certain areas.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IIS is often deployed on-premises or in hybrid cloud setups, benefitting from Microsoft's support ecosystem, although initial support levels may vary. Apache's deployment is versatile but often relies on community support due to its open-source nature, making official support less straightforward.

Pricing and ROI: IIS incurs costs from Windows Server licenses, making it economically viable for organizations already using Microsoft products, with users reporting strong ROI from integration benefits. Apache, being free, offers significant cost savings, though ROI varies greatly depending on implementation and hardware expenses.

To learn more, read our detailed Apache Web Server vs. IIS Report (Updated: November 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Apache Web Server vs. IIS

November 2026

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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

Apache Web Server

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

5th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

IIS

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

1st

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Application Server (4th)

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Application Infrastructure category, the mindshare of Apache Web Server is 6.4%, down from 11.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IIS is 6.1%, down from 10.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Infrastructure Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
IIS	6.1%
Apache Web Server	6.4%
Other	87.5%

Application Infrastructure

Featured Reviews

Dimitrios Zigkos

Enterprise Architect at Smals vzw

Faced limitations with integration and long-term adaptability but benefited from a lightweight architecture for standalone applications

I find valuable and beneficial the independence that comes with Apache Web Server. You can build a small project using a simple application server without bothering too much about how to manage it. The compatibility with multiple operating systems has helped my operations since most of the time we use Linux. Some systems rely on Windows, but they are few; in the past, Windows was the dominant operating system for mainstream PCs and infrastructure, but not for business. All the companies I worked for had 90% Linux and maybe up to 10% Windows. The initial setup of Apache Web Server was straightforward and okay.

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Frederic Hautecoeur

Senior System Integrations Architect at bs-team

Integrated web hosting has simplified secure services and has supported long-term growth

To be honest, I do not see any major areas for improvement. Perhaps something simple and minor. It should not go more complex than it is at the moment. The only disadvantage I see is that the documentation is a bit difficult to find. There is a lot of configuration that is very hard to get information about.

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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

"Apache is a powerful tool with which you can make it do just about anything you need."

"Apache Web Server is freeware with no setup or licensing costs, yet it efficiently and stably runs our web applications in the cloud, including Java-based ones with Apache Tomcat and SSL for secure connectivity, providing substantial cost-savings for our organization."

"Apache has proven to be incredibly reliable, and everything has operated smoothly without encountering any issues."

"The most significant advantage is the ability to swiftly enable HTTPS services when my DNS is configured correctly."

"The product's initial setup phase is straightforward."

"The control panel is very easy to navigate. It's similar to most hosting platforms, so it's user-friendly. Once you get used to it, managing your hosting becomes easy, too."

"Apache Web Server effectively runs any web application, including Java-based applications, and includes Apache Tomcat server, which is crucial."

"The Apache Web Server is our software of choice for running our web servers for the past seven (7) years."

More Apache Web Server pros

"The product is scalable."

"IIS fits properly for my business needs, with a lot of possibilities to upgrade the out-of-the-box functionalities, so it is really great."

"The stability is better than it was in the past."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is easy to use and easy to understand."

"IIS's best features are its management console and stability."

"What I like most about this program is the fact that it's built into Windows, and then I also like the interface and the support."

"The product's most valuable features are performance and security."

"The most valuable feature of IIS is the database it provides."

More IIS pros

Cons

"No support is available from Apache software foundation."

"The product's initial setup process could be easier for users."

"So far, for us, everything is okay."

"A monitoring interface would be great for this product. The monitoring dashboards for Apache's models are not included in the basic installation. You can install the basic monitoring model, then connect this model to another monitoring system."

"Adding a reverse proxy to Apache Web Server would be a significant improvement."

"The GUI for the less experienced users needs some improvement. For some companies, it is hard to configure it if they have not had any experience."

"The major issue occurs with ports. So, I would like to see easier port management."

"You know what? I found negligible difference between Apache and Nginx."

More Apache Web Server cons

"I see that IIS has maintained the same interface for a long time, so they could potentially use more automation or integrate Copilot into it to make it easier to use."

"It lacks a few performance improvement tools."

"Can be difficult to set up for new users and complex to troubleshoot."

"It would be beneficial if you could automate security certificate monitoring with IIS."

"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."

"This solution needs to be easier for cases where you want to have an IIS cluster."

"Occasionally, we encounter performance issues with IIS where it becomes unresponsive and requires a solution restart."

"The graphical user interface has room for improvement and can be more user-friendly."

More IIS cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The apache software is free, open-source."

"It is an open-source solution."

"It is a free-of-cost solution."

"There is no licensing cost for the product."

"The solution’s pricing is yearly. The pricing is affordable and not high."

"IIS comes along with an OS license from Microsoft. Others can opt for a perpetual-based licensing model to be able to use the system."

"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."

"IIS's pricing is not expensive."

"They offer a one-time payment model for the product license, and we pay annually for support."

"The solution provides multiple licensing options."

"The licensing cost is dependent on the usage."

"Users can get a subscription-based license or a perpetual license for IIS."

More IIS pricing and cost advice

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Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Application Infrastructure solutions are best for your needs.

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

14%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Outsourcing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

14%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Construction Company

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	7
Midsize Enterprise	8
Large Enterprise	11

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	30
Midsize Enterprise	12
Large Enterprise	22

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Apache Web Server?

There are no fees associated with the usage of Apache Web Server in my projects. If you want to have support, then there is some cost, but today I do not know how many companies pay for that servic...

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What needs improvement with Apache Web Server?

I would like to see improvements in the functionality and core of Apache Web Server, focusing on building an infrastructure that can be resilient and robust enough to handle resource shortages, and...

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What is your primary use case for Apache Web Server?

I am currently working with Apache Web Server in my projects because I'm an architect. Some years ago, it was the application server and the web server; it was Apache Daemon and Apache, the web ser...

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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,...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IIS?

For the pricing, setup cost, and licensing for IIS, as a Microsoft product, I didn't think much about separately purchasing an IIS product as it is part of Microsoft Windows. We bought a developmen...

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What needs improvement with IIS?

I see that IIS has maintained the same interface for a long time, so they could potentially use more automation or integrate Copilot into it to make it easier to use. I have not accessed or checked...

See all answers

Comparisons

NGINX Plus vs Apache Web Server

Compared 11% of the time

JBoss Enterprise Application Platform vs Apache Web Server

Compared 6% of the time

Zend PHP Engine vs Apache Web Server

Compared 6% of the time

Magic xpa Application Platform vs Apache Web Server

Compared 6% of the time

Microsoft .NET Framework vs Apache Web Server

Compared 6% of the time

More Apache Web Server Competitors

NGINX Plus vs IIS

Compared 10% of the time

Tomcat vs IIS

Compared 8% of the time

Oracle WebLogic Server vs IIS

Compared 6% of the time

Windows Server AppFabric vs IIS

Compared 5% of the time

WebOTX vs IIS

Compared 5% of the time

More IIS Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Apache Web Server

October 2026

Download Apache Web Server product report

Buyer's Guide

IIS

October 2026

Download IIS product report

Also Known As

Apache HTTP Server

Windows Server IIS

Overview

Apache Web Server is a stable, open-source platform known for its cost-effectiveness, multi-platform compatibility, ease of setup, and high security. It supports various web scripting languages and enables HTTPS services, making it a popular choice for many organizations.

Apache Web Server offers extensive features including HTTP server capabilities and modularity. It efficiently handles client requests and is highly flexible, which is why many companies utilize it for hosting applications, developing websites, and more. Community support further enhances its reliability, though improvements like integration with cloud systems such as Kubernetes, a simplified port management, and support for Microsoft's .Net framework are desired. Initial setup challenges exist, and enhanced security features and GUI updates would benefit less experienced users. Apache needs optimization for resource efficiency and compatibility with modern application architectures.

What are the most important features of Apache Web Server?

Open-Source: Apache is free and community-driven.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works on multiple operating systems.
Modular Architecture: Allows scalability and customization.
Secure: Supports HTTPS services and has WAF capabilities.
Performance: Efficiently handles client requests.

What benefits can users expect from using Apache Web Server?

Cost-Effective: No licensing fees associated.
High Reliability: Community support ensures stability.
Flexibility: Easily integrates with numerous frameworks.
Scalability: Modular design aids in scaling operations.
Community Support: Continuous updates and enhancements.

Apache Web Server is widely used across different industries such as financial sectors for hosting applications and core banking systems. Integrated with tools like JMeter and Tomcat, it is pivotal in deploying web servers and acting as a proxy for application servers. In cloud migrations, its open-source WAF features using ModSecurity are invaluable, and companies rely on its capabilities for managing threats and attacks through HTTP/HTTPS connections.

Apache

IIS is a web server platform recognized for strong security, high performance, and seamless Windows integration. It offers an intuitive setup, emphasizing resource efficiency, scalability, and robust performance.

Internet Information Services provides a comprehensive solution for hosting and managing web applications. Known for its security and integration capabilities, it features a user-friendly interface that simplifies server management. Its application pool isolation and performance make it highly reliable. However, configuration challenges, lack of detailed documentation, and difficulties in integrating with non-Windows environments are noted. Large-scale deployments sometimes encounter clustering and scalability issues, and improvements are needed in memory management and monitoring tools. Despite these areas for improvement, compatibility with Microsoft products and zero need for separate licensing are convincing benefits for many users.

What features make IIS stand out?

Security Features: Enhances security with single sign-on and SSL support.
Performance: Designed for high efficiency and reliability.
Integration: Seamless compatibility with Windows and Microsoft products.
User Interface: Straightforward setup aids in easy management.
Scalability: Able to efficiently scale with resource demands.

What benefits should be reviewed?

Resource Efficiency: Provides cost-effective resource management.
Scalability: Easily adapts to growing application demands.
No Licensing Cost: Eliminates additional licensing expenses.
Microsoft Integration: Offers seamless use with Microsoft ecosystems.

Organizations employ IIS for a range of applications. These include hosting web applications accessible externally, managing internal projects, and supporting infrastructure such as DNS and DHCP. Companies leverage its database management capabilities, integration with Active Directory, and secure communication via SSL. In fields like healthcare, IIS supports internal information systems and on-premise deployments.

Microsoft

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

Buyer's Guide

Apache Web Server vs. IIS

November 2026

Free Report: Apache Web Server vs. IIS

Find out what your peers are saying about Apache Web Server vs. IIS and other solutions. Updated: November 2026.

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