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IIS vs Microsoft .NET Framework comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 5, 2025

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 Infrastructure
1st
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
57
Ranking in other categories
Application Server (4th)
Microsoft .NET Framework
Ranking in Application Infrastructure
3rd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
53
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Application Infrastructure category, the mindshare of IIS is 12.0%, down from 13.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft .NET Framework is 6.0%, down from 6.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Application Infrastructure
 

Featured Reviews

DanielWildermuth - PeerSpot reviewer
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…
Pavan Kodur - PeerSpot reviewer
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.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution is easy to use."
"It is a scalable solution."
"It helps scan and mitigates our vulnerabilities using the best protocols to secure our environment."
"The product is easy to configure."
"This is definitely a stable solution."
"The product is scalable."
"What I like the most is that it is easy to use."
"Windows Server IIS is stable."
"The most valuable feature is the financial accounting."
"It facilitates running Windows business applications and leveraging enterprise application development."
"Proven solution with valuable customization."
"The .NET Framework simplified operations dealing with the allocation and deallocation of memory spaces and the additional processing resources."
"When using Microsoft .NET Framework, you start writing the code internally."
"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."
"It facilitated the streamlined scheduling process by amalgamating inputs from various sources, including location data and other systems."
"Initial setup is straightforward. All the components are readily available."
 

Cons

"There is an issue with the network. The tool's price is also high."
"The graphical user interface has room for improvement and can be more user-friendly."
"The solution's pricing and stability need improvement."
"The solution is slow and could have better performance."
"Compared to Linux, the solution’s Windows patching is slower. I would like to improve it."
"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."
"IIS could improve by having some features related to ASR and HTTPS certificate generation."
"The user interface could be improved."
"Lacking in auto-scaling."
"I would like to see a better response time from the technical support."
"The cloud features must be improved."
"In my opinion, this solution can be improved by providing out-of-the-box support for different types of libraries."
"I would like more web integration."
"The integration capability of the product with AI is an area with certain shortcomings, where improvements are required."
"Needs stronger security with respect to cloud issues."
"The solution needs to update its security periodically because there are many security concerns."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Users can get a subscription-based license or a perpetual license for IIS."
"They offer a one-time payment model for the product license, and we pay annually for support."
"The cost for IIS is already included in Windows services. We don't have to pay anything extra."
"I was using the trial version of IIS inside my virtual machines."
"The solution’s pricing is yearly. The pricing is affordable and not high."
"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution."
"It is licensed with your Windows installation which makes it relatively cheap if you already have a Windows Server sitting around."
"The price of the cloud system is a bit high."
"Microsoft .NET Framework is licensed under the Windows License."
"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."
"The product and support for this solution are free for everyone."
"Microsoft .NET Framework is free of cost."
"The pricing could be cheaper."
"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."
"There is a Community Edition that can be used free of charge, but the licensing cost for the Enterprise version is quite high."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
8%
Construction Company
12%
Real Estate/Law Firm
11%
Computer Software Company
11%
Financial Services Firm
11%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

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,...
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.
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.
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.
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.
 

Also Known As

Windows Server IIS
MS .NET Framework
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Erste Bank Group, NJVC, Samsung Electronics, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Tata Steel Europe, Urban Software Institute
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
Find out what your peers are saying about IIS vs. Microsoft .NET Framework and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
851,604 professionals have used our research since 2012.