IIS vs Magic xpa Application Platform comparison

Microsoft and Magic Software are both solutions in the Application Server category. Microsoft is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.5, while Magic Software is ranked #9 with an average rating of 7.0. Microsoft holds a 7.4% mindshare in AppS, compared to Magic Software’s 2.4% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Magic Software users who would recommend it.

IIS

Read 61 IIS reviews

4,891 Views
2,005 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Magic xpa Application Platform

Read 10 Magic xpa Application Platform reviews

1,725 Views
414 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IIS

Magic xpa Application Platform

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 2, 2025

Magic xpa Application Platform and IIS both operate in the realm of IT solutions, each excelling in distinct areas. Magic xpa takes the lead with its user-friendly development focus and efficiency, while IIS excels in robust server capabilities and security features.

Features: Magic xpa Application Platform offers cross-platform capabilities, an integrated development environment, and rapid application development. It supports a range of databases and emphasizes ease of integration with internet applications. IIS stands out with its scalability, security enhancements, and seamless integration with Windows-based applications. It provides robust server functionalities ideal for managing web environments effectively.

Room for Improvement: Magic xpa could enhance its server management capabilities and security features. Improving integration with mobile-centric applications could also expand its appeal. Its scalability for enterprise-level solutions can be further refined. IIS may benefit from simplified configuration processes for non-technical users. Enhancing support for diverse database environments and better cost-efficiency could make it more attractive to a broader range of businesses.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Magic xpa Application Platform offers straightforward deployment processes, supported by responsive customer service for seamless transitions. This efficiency appeals to businesses looking for a quick start. IIS provides comprehensive documentation and support for complex server setups, ensuring stable operations, which is beneficial for enterprises handling extensive server infrastructures.

Pricing and ROI: Magic xpa Application Platform presents competitive setup costs, favoring businesses prioritizing application development speed and flexibility, leading to better ROI. IIS, with a higher initial investment, offers substantial long-term ROI due to its robust security and integration capabilities, making it a favored choice for organizations focused on operational excellence.

To learn more, read our detailed IIS vs. Magic xpa Application Platform Report (Updated: April 2026).

Buyer's Guide

IIS vs. Magic xpa Application Platform

April 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

IIS

Ranking in Application Server

4th

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

1st

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Magic xpa Application Platform

Ranking in Application Server

9th

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

17th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Mobile Development Platforms (13th)

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Application Server category, the mindshare of IIS is 7.4%, up from 7.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Magic xpa Application Platform is 2.4%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Server Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
IIS	7.4%
Magic xpa Application Platform	2.4%
Other	90.2%

Application Server

Featured Reviews

Krishnakumar Natarajan

Systems Engineer at Atos

Designs and manages multiple websites while ensuring data backup and disaster recovery

I have experience with AWS, and I am most familiar with the server environment, as we just use the server environment and then use Microsoft products on an AWS environment. I have experience with Windows Server IIS, which I ran on my own on-premise data center. The website was developed and then hosted, and through IIS, we managed the servers. The manageability within the IIS environment is not very difficult. For server management, you need to ensure data backup, data restore, and you have a DR configured to keep the database intact. It was done on-premises, so I had no problem doing that. If you have to go to the cloud, then you should have the storage connected to the IIS server and also have a DR set up for that. I didn't use Microsoft Azure tools, but since it is a Microsoft product, Azure has all the portability, so you don't have to worry about compatibility on the cloud. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate this solution a 10.

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Mylsamy T.

Senior Associate - IT at Himalaya Wellness Company

Enables us to develop more than 90 applications in-house, which are used across our organization

It's a bit difficult to work with purely web-based applications to get the data and display it. There have been a few times when the connection was disconnected between the server and your browser. The connectivity on browser-built applications needs to be improved. The mobile application development could be easier. They could include different external applications, like finger sensors. I'm not sure whether it's in version 3.8 or not.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"My experience with the technical support by Microsoft at large is satisfactory."

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

"The most valuable feature of IIS is that it's free, and it works."

"The solution is easy to use and connects with Microsoft, and the solution is very robust."

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

"It's very easy to publish."

"The solution is easy to use and connects with Microsoft."

"IIS is stable."

More IIS pros

"The ability to use the same development environment for both Windows and Android applications. Magic xpa also supports iOS applications."

"The Magic xpa Application Platform is very suitable for production since it is easy to update. The program is simple to upgrade and deploy. The solution is convenient in production. You need to adjust the data, then adjust the program which is not difficult."

"Magic’s Database Gateway allows the logic of the program to be isolated from the underlying database. This provides the flexibility not only to move existing programs to different database environments without the need to change the logic in the program but also allows the programmer access to different databases without the need to know how to "talk" to them."

"Magic is rapid, it's a tool which we use to develop, change and maintain our programs. xpa has a lot more features onboard and it gives us the opportunity to do such things so that we can easily adapt and maintain our programs. It gives certain benefits to stay with our customers and the market."

"Speed of development and database connectivity (MS SQL, Oracle, DB2, Btrieve/Pervasive PSQL, ODBC, MySql, and SQLite)."

"Typically an experienced Magic developer can do the work of two to three experienced C#/.NET developers. Customers are amazed at how quickly most new features can be added and bug fixes implemented. I have worked for four employers - including myself - using Magic, and in most instances, bug fixes are addressed and deployed in under six hours."

"My employees can develop and deploy something in a matter of hours."

"In spite of the solution's high cost, we see a very large return on our investment."

More Magic xpa Application Platform pros

Cons

"Scalability issues: No issues encountered but always go for two machines as one isn't enough and isn't fault redundant."

"The price of the solution could be less to improve."

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

"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."

"The solution should improve the cluster environment and load balancing."

"The level of technical support the solution offers could be improved."

"Sometimes if you are using IIS in large-scale scenarios, meaning that if you are deploying an application within IIS service and you are expecting a large number of users to use this application, you can sometimes find some problems, meaning that the service can shut down by itself unexpectedly if you don't configure your IIS with the correct configuration that can handle this number of users."

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

More IIS cons

"Support is very bad."

"The user interface could be improved to be more friendly for developers."

"Magic has a tradition, when it adds new technologies/features to the Magic development tool, to provide either no documentation or documentation that does not provide an organized approach for bringing this new technology/feature to experienced Magic programmers."

"In the next version of the Magic xpa Application Platform, I want tables or small programs where I can directly add expressions. I can do it on SQL, but it would make life much easier if that specification were added to the platform."

"The configuration of the xpa RIA mobile environment is complex and a discouragement to new developers. Also, Magic's documentation can be less than complete at times which leads to frustration for new developers. (I encourage new Magic developers to join the Magic Users Group)."

"The company has now released version 4 for web development, but this new release is still pretty hard to use for mobile and web development because it was not improved as much as we expected in the areas of user-friendliness or development-friendliness."

"It is missing basic charting tools for bar/pie/series charts. It is left to the developer to acquire and deploy charting tools or the customer to purchase a third-party reporting tool to produce charts."

More Magic xpa Application Platform cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

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

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

"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."

"The cost for IIS is already included in Windows services. We don't have to pay anything extra."

"There is no license needed to use the solution."

"IIS's pricing is reasonable."

More IIS pricing and cost advice

"The licensing is too costly."

"It's not cheap. The licenses are not cheap. Not at all. They cost much money. There are other tools with free licenses but Magic asks for a lot of money."

"There are different licenses, we have the application and the online application. There are two different licenses for two different program sites for the Magic xpa Application Platform."

"The cost for developers is high because you have to pay for licenses as well as runtime."

"The licensing cost varies because nowadays Magic has tailor-made offerings for clients. I think the solution is worth the money."

"Magic is not the cheapest IDE out there. If you are considering Magic xpa, you should do a cost-benefit analysis to feel comfortable with your decision. The Magic sales staff is very helpful in providing pricing."

"My clients have to purchase additional licenses in order to use what I built. It's not a fair approach."

"The main problem with the Magic xpa Application Platform is pricing. You have to pay a lot of money for development, and you also have to pay a lot for the deployments and runtime, while in most competitors, you have to pay a lot for one of the two and not both."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

15%

Computer Software Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Government

Financial Services Firm

14%

Manufacturing Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	29
Midsize Enterprise	11
Large Enterprise	22

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	1

Questions from the Community

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 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...

See all answers

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

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Comparisons

NGINX Plus vs IIS

Compared 15% of the time

Apache Web Server vs IIS

Compared 14% of the time

Tomcat vs IIS

Compared 7% of the time

Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (EAP) vs IIS

Compared 6% of the time

Windows Server AppFabric vs IIS

Compared 5% of the time

More IIS Competitors

Apache Web Server vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 12% of the time

Microsoft .NET Framework vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 11% of the time

Tomcat vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 8% of the time

Uniface vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 7% of the time

OutSystems vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 5% of the time

More Magic xpa Application Platform Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IIS

April 2026

Download IIS product report

Buyer's Guide

Magic xpa Application Platform

April 2026

Download Magic xpa Application Platform product report

Also Known As

Windows Server IIS

uniPaaS

Overview

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

Magic xpa Application Platform is known for its fast development speed and extensive platform support. It efficiently handles database operations and integrates well with systems like Oracle, supporting Windows, Android, and iOS applications.

Magic xpa Application Platform offers rapid development capabilities, robust database connectivity, and versatile platform support. It integrates seamlessly with systems like Oracle, uses in-memory databases efficiently, and offers flexibility in database operations. Updates and deployments are seamless across Windows, Android, and iOS. The platform facilitates web service communication, XML creation, and isolates database logic from application logic, allowing developers to concentrate on program objectives. Despite its outdated interface and expensive licensing, the platform struggles with mobile and web development integration and complex environments.

What are the key features of Magic xpa Application Platform?

Rapid Development: Accelerates application creation.
Robust Connectivity: Integrates with databases like Oracle.
Versatile Support: Compatible with Windows, Android, iOS.
Seamless Deployment: Simplifies update processes.
Web Service Communication: Eases XML and service interactions.

What benefits should users consider when evaluating Magic xpa?

Efficiency: Enhances productivity with fast deployment.
Integration Capabilities: Connects effortlessly with existing systems.
Flexibility: Adapts to multiple operating systems and environments.
Focus: Allows developers to concentrate on main objectives.

In specific industries, Magic xpa Application Platform is utilized for various purposes like IoT support, police and emergency operations management, and ERP development for clients in diverse sectors. Retail billing, document management, HR solutions, healthcare data management, and financial systems leverage its ability to handle complex data exchanges and enable remote access. The platform's expansive application development supports efficient operations in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.

Magic Software

Sample Customers

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

ADD, Cape plc, Adecco, Kuno Kinzoku Industry Co., GE Capital, Dove Tree, CBS Outdoor, Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, Allstate Life Insurance Company, Titan Software Systems

Buyer's Guide

IIS vs. Magic xpa Application Platform

April 2026

Free Report: IIS vs. Magic xpa Application Platform

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