Apache Web Server vs Microsoft .NET Framework comparison

Apache and Microsoft are both solutions in the Application Infrastructure category. Apache is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.8, while Microsoft is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.4. Apache holds a 10.5% mindshare in AIS, compared to Microsoft’s 5.8% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Apache users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 93% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

Apache Web Server

Read 23 Apache Web Server reviews

1,904 Views
1,610 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Microsoft .NET Framework

Read 53 Microsoft .NET Framework reviews

1,775 Views
1,048 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

Apache Web Server

Microsoft .NET Framework

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 5, 2025

Microsoft .NET Framework and Apache Web Server compete in the enterprise software and web hosting category. While both have their strengths, Apache Web Server may have an edge due to its open-source nature and broad flexibility, which appeals to diverse environments and budget-conscious users.

Features: Microsoft .NET Framework is known for its ease of use, rich libraries, and integration with Windows, supporting multiple programming languages and cross-platform development. Apache Web Server excels with its open-source, modularity, stability, and support for a wide range of languages, favored in web hosting for its flexibility and robust documentation.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft .NET Framework could improve its cross-platform compatibility and expand its open-source community, addressing integration with non-Microsoft environments. Apache Web Server needs enhanced integration features and user-friendly interfaces, particularly benefiting less experienced users, along with better global technical support.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft .NET Framework allows deployment across on-premises, public, and hybrid clouds, supported by solid technical resources. Apache Web Server is primarily used in on-premises and hybrid setups, relying on community-based support, with limited formal technical assistance, making self-help resources valuable for deployment.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft .NET Framework offers free community and paid enterprise versions, with reports of high ROI despite potential costs due to development efficiency. Apache Web Server is entirely free, offering significant cost savings, making it attractive for budget-prioritized organizations, though its ROI is often seen in the context of its free availability.

To learn more, read our detailed Apache Web Server vs. Microsoft .NET Framework Report (Updated: March 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Apache Web Server vs. Microsoft .NET Framework

March 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

Apache Web Server

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

3rd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Microsoft .NET Framework

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

4th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Application Infrastructure category, the mindshare of Apache Web Server is 10.5%, up from 10.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft .NET Framework is 5.8%, down from 6.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Infrastructure

Featured Reviews

Saurav Kumar

Senior security architecture at National Payment Corporation Of India

Offers security features that are reliable

When it comes to Apache Web Server, I don't have any suggestions for improvement because we use it in the UAT environment. For production, my company mainly uses NGINX. There is no direct package provided by the product if I want to use WAF. In NGINX, NGINX Plus has the signature update capability, but in Apache, the same feature is not available, making it an area where improvements are required. If WAF can be introduced in Apache Web Server, it would be a good improvement so that its users can implement either the WAF module or ModSecurity, as they choose. For NGINX, I think it has NGINX Management Suite, which is GUI-based and allows you to manage your configuration via the user interface, but Apache fails to offer such capabilities to users. Apache Web Server should provide users with the same capabilities offered under NGINX Management Suite with the help of a simple GUI so that our company doesn't have to do anything on the terminal while directly getting to use the user interface, which can help us with the configuration part.

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Pavan Kodur

Application Architect at The Manitowoc Company, Inc.

Intuitive, easier to develop, maintain, and migrate from the old framework to newer versions

There are a few areas where they could compete better with products like React or Angular – the popular SPA (Single Page Application) frameworks. Microsoft has its own product called Blazor, but I don't think it's quite as powerful yet as React or Angular. I think that's an area for improvement. For example, HR asked me to build something that worked offline and online. Microsoft products don't really support that well, as I'd have to rely on browser databases. React and Angular are better for that. If I need something faster, I'd definitely use React. So, I see Microsoft lagging a bit in that area.

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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 Web Server can be used as a proxy server"

"Apache Web Server is free of cost."

"The best thing about Apache is that it is open-source, so implementing my platform on-premises is less expansive than other solutions."

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

"The solution's most valuable feature is reporting."

"It is scalable."

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

"Its community is its most valuable feature. Solving problems is easier on Apache because so many people know this product."

More Apache Web Server pros

"In-built refactoring and .Net profilers are the most valuable features of the solution."

"It's easy to create and integrate things."

"When we talk about .NET development, we use Visual Studio IDE to create these things. In recent years, there have been a lot of improvements in Visual Studio 2022. It would be a daunting task to list all of the features that have benefited us, as it would require a lot of time and effort. However, there are definitely many improvements year after year in .NET development."

"When it comes to the user interface, the context is better than other tools because it is easier to use."

"Given that it's cross-platform right now, where you can use it on Windows and Mac, that is the single most significant feature that has resulted in wider adoption of .NET."

"The most valuable thing about Microsoft .NET Framework is that it is an enterprise-grade language and platform."

"Firstly, I appreciate the decision to use Microsoft .NET Framework. I find it to be an excellent language, with a history rooted in providing an alternative to Java, albeit with initial challenges. It is gaining popularity and may be voted the most desirable programming language. What I particularly like about .NET is its language efficiency. While C# is the primary language, the platform also supports others, catering to those inclined towards functional programming. Although I started with Shell, I'm still grasping the concept of functional programming. Despite initial reservations about object-oriented programming, I acknowledge its advantages. .NET is a safer option, and despite criticisms, it has evolved over the years. One notable aspect is .NET's transition to an open platform in recent years, distancing itself from being exclusive to Microsoft engineers. I appreciate the versatility of .NET, enabling code production for a wide range of platforms, presenting a strong competition to Java. It allows targeting practically any physical platform, showcasing its flexibility. These qualities contribute to my positive view of .NET, totaling thirteen aspects that I find appealing."

"Initial setup is straightforward. All the components are readily available."

More Microsoft .NET Framework pros

Cons

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

"It would be great if technical support for Apache were available in Iran. It is a very important need."

"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."

"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."

"In future releases, I would like to see better server optimization."

"I want the user interface to be more user-friendly."

"Its stability could be better."

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

More Apache Web Server cons

"If Microsoft would provide a monthly subscription at a cost that a developer can afford then it would be really helpful."

"If AI could be incorporated in Microsoft .NET Framework it would be helpful."

"It is of great concern to us that the solution is not very powerful on cross platform, at it impedes the ability to build and scale with it."

"The integration capability of the product with AI is an area with certain shortcomings, where improvements are required."

"Microsoft could improve .NET Framework by providing more resources to help users understand the solution."

"Lacking in auto-scaling."

"They should have more training materials available that are specific to .NET. We spend a lot of money training our engineers."

"This solution is best used with some training."

More Microsoft .NET Framework cons

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."

"The support is an extra cost when purchasing the license. The price of the solution is overall reasonable and paid annually or every three years. Additionally, they have a monthly license. The cost is approximately $1,000 per user."

"Microsoft .NET Framework is very cost-effective for corporate users."

"The solution is a bit costly when compared to open source products or open gear licenses."

"Do your homework. Consider the partnership program."

"Considering the bigger picture, opting for the Microsoft ecosystem can be beneficial and it is priced well. When relying on entirely open-source solutions, you may encounter challenges associated with dealing with multiple vendors and potentially compromised security measures. However, it is important to note that Microsoft could enhance its performance when it comes to addressing critical security concerns."

"Microsoft .NET Framework is free of cost."

"I rate the solution's pricing a two out of ten because .NET is an open-source framework. You don't have to pay for a license."

"The Microsoft .NET Framework is free of charge, without licensing cost."

More Microsoft .NET Framework pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Financial Services Firm

16%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

12%

Computer Software Company

11%

Real Estate/Law Firm

11%

Construction Company

11%

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Apache Web Server?

The product's initial setup phase is straightforward.

See all answers

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

Apache Web Server is a free product, with no associated setup costs or licensing fees.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Apache Web Server?

There is no need for substantial improvements as we have a dedicated team managing the server, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

See all answers

What do you like most about Microsoft .NET Framework?

Microsoft .NET Framework continually innovates, particularly in Visual Studio, which focuses on improving languages, debugging, and .NET functionality.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft .NET Framework?

The company is not paying anything for the license. I am not familiar with this area. For us, it's free.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft .NET Framework?

There may be some topics regarding connectivity and management of certificates that require attention. We are currently facing some issues.

See all answers

Comparisons

IIS vs Apache Web Server

Compared 42% of the time

NGINX Plus vs Apache Web Server

Compared 28% of the time

Zend PHP Engine vs Apache Web Server

Compared 7% of the time

IBM WebSphere Application Server vs Apache Web Server

Compared 7% of the time

Oracle SOA Suite vs Apache Web Server

Compared 5% of the time

More Apache Web Server Competitors

IIS vs Microsoft .NET Framework

Compared 22% of the time

Magic xpa Application Platform vs Microsoft .NET Framework

Compared 17% of the time

JBoss Enterprise Application Platform vs Microsoft .NET Framework

Compared 17% of the time

Uniface vs Microsoft .NET Framework

Compared 10% of the time

Windows Process Activation Services vs Microsoft .NET Framework

Compared 9% of the time

More Microsoft .NET Framework Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Apache Web Server

March 2025

Download Apache Web Server product report

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft .NET Framework

March 2025

Download Microsoft .NET Framework product report

Also Known As

Apache HTTP Server

MS .NET Framework

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.

Apache

Microsoft .NET Framework is a software development framework for building and running applications for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows servers, XML Web services, and Microsoft Azure. The software is made up of two major components: Common Language Runtime (CLR) and the .NET Framework Class Library. The CLR is the execution engine that handles running apps and the Class Library is a library of tested, reusable code that developers can call from their own apps.

Microsoft .NET Framework Features

Microsoft .NET Framework has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

Memory management: With Microsoft .NET Framework apps, the CLR allocates and releases memory and handles object lifetimes in many programming languages, so programmers are not responsible to do it.

Multitargeting: Microsoft .NET Framework targets .NET Standard, allowing developers to create class libraries that work on multiple Microsoft .NET Framework platforms.

A common type system: When using Microsoft .NET Framework, basic types are defined by the .NET Framework type system and are common to all languages that target Microsoft .NET Framework as opposed to traditional programming languages where basic types are defined by the compiler.

Side-by-side execution: By allowing multiple versions of the common language runtime to exist on the same computer, Microsoft .NET Framework helps resolve version conflicts. In addition, an app can run on the version of Microsoft .NET Framework with which it was built and multiple versions of apps can coexist.

Development frameworks and technologies: Microsoft .NET Framework provides libraries for specific areas of app development, such as ASP.NET for web apps, ADO.NET for data access, Windows Communication Foundation for service-oriented apps, and Windows Presentation Foundation for Windows desktop apps.

Microsoft .NET Framework Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing Microsoft .NET Framework. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

Language interoperability: With this Microsoft .NET Framework feature, routines written in one language are accessible to other languages, enabling programmers to focus on creating apps in their preferred languages.

Version compatibility: Microsoft .NET Framework offers version compatibility for rare occasions when apps that are developed by using a particular version of Microsoft .NET Framework happen to run without modification on a later version.

Extensive class library: With Microsoft .NET Framework, programmers have the ability to use a readily accessible Microsoft .NET Framework class library instead of having to write vast amounts of code to handle common low-level programming operations.

Reviews from Real Users

Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by PeerSpot users currently using the Microsoft .NET Framework solution.

PeerSpot user, Syed A., Principal System Developer at a government, says the solution is a “Great all in one framework with extensive stack for web applications, windows applications and mobile applications.”

A QA Supervisor at a manufacturing company mentions, “It comes with many features that you can interact with and has all of the libraries readily available, which is not available in the RPA platforms. You can create your own SSIS package. You can integrate with all of the Windows objects, which is not available in Automation Anywhere, and you need to rely on their Object Cloning technologies to interact with them.”

Brennan G., IS Technical Architect at Avara Foods Holdings Limited, comments, “It is easy to use, and it runs on a Windows platform. The .NET Framework is a very good framework. It does what I need it to do.”

Microsoft

Sample Customers

Cisco, Intuit, General Electric, Adobe, VMware, PayPal, HP, EMC, eBay, Apple, SAP, Qualcomm, SanDisk, Allstate, FedEx

Curtin University, Rockwell Automation, Aruba Networks, Insurity Inc., City of Barcelona, Pennsylvania DCNR, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, A1 Telekom Austria AG, Eastman Chemical Company

Buyer's Guide

Apache Web Server vs. Microsoft .NET Framework

March 2025

Free Report: Apache Web Server vs. Microsoft .NET Framework

Find out what your peers are saying about Apache Web Server vs. Microsoft .NET Framework and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.

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