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IIS vs Windows Server AppFabric comparison

IIS and Windows Server AppFabric are both solutions in the Application Infrastructure category. IIS is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.2, while Windows Server AppFabric is ranked #18 with an average rating of 8.5. IIS holds a 11.3% mindshare in AIS, compared to Windows Server AppFabric’s 0.6% mindshare. Additionally, 89% of IIS users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Windows Server AppFabric users who would recommend it.
IIS
Read 57 IIS reviews
  • 2,196 Views
  • 771 Comparison Views
89% willing to recommend
Windows Server AppFabric
Read 4 Windows Server AppFabric reviews
  • 185 Views
  • 40 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 5, 2025

Windows Server AppFabric and IIS compete in application hosting. Windows Server AppFabric has an edge in pricing and support due to its integration with Microsoft's infrastructure, while IIS offers superior features and an extensive ecosystem justifying its cost.

Features: Windows Server AppFabric supports seamless application management, user-friendly networking capabilities, and efficient deployment processes. IIS is noted for its user-friendly interface, secure configurations, and extensive management console.

Room for Improvement: Windows Server AppFabric could enhance optimization for broader application types, improve real-time analytics, and update middleware components more regularly. IIS could improve by simplifying cross-platform compatibility, offering more advanced analytics tools, and enhancing scalability for smaller deployments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Windows Server AppFabric provides seamless integration within Windows environments, benefiting from Microsoft's enterprise support. IIS deployment is straightforward with automated tools and extensive documentation, offering flexibility for diverse web environments.

Pricing and ROI: Windows Server AppFabric often incurs lower setup costs through its Microsoft infrastructure integration, offering substantial ROI with enhanced performance and reduced management efforts. IIS, while potentially more expensive initially, delivers ROI through its versatility and robust feature set, best suited for diverse applications.

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Buyer's Guide
IIS vs. Windows Server AppFabric
June 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

IIS
Ranking in Application Infrastructure
1st
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
57
Ranking in other categories
Application Server (5th)
Windows Server AppFabric
Ranking in Application Infrastructure
18th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
4
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Application Infrastructure category, the mindshare of IIS is 11.3%, down from 12.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Windows Server AppFabric is 0.6%, up from 0.5% 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…
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VIJAY RAGAVAN - PeerSpot reviewer
Ensure seamless deployment and networking with a focus on critical uptime
The most important issue I've found is the blue screen errors, particularly when customers use external displays with a P-type cable. I have advised against using external displays for crucial applications and recommended using VGA or laptop adapter screens to mitigate this issue. However, the blue screen error remains a major concern because it causes data loss during reboots.
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

"The graphical user interface makes it easy for users to configure the sites."
"The tool shows us the operating systems where our servers and applications are running."
"The product is stable."
"When you are working with Microsoft solutions, you will see that the integration with the operating system, and implementing some security features, are easier in IIS than when using another solution."
"The solution is very simple to use and easy to deploy."
"The initial setup of IIS is easy. The process takes only five minutes."
"It's very easy to publish."
"The product is easy to configure."
More IIS pros
"The ability to seamlessly deploy, image, and patch without causing downtime is extremely helpful and user-friendly."
"It is very usable and easy to understand. Antivirus and VPN are the main features being used now. It allows my clients to access the network from home, which was very crucial because of the pandemic."
"The most valuable feature is AppFabric's hosting solution, which is what we need for running workflows."
"The product's deployment phase was very easy."
 

Cons

"The solution should improve the cluster environment and load balancing."
"IIS could improve by having some features related to ASR and HTTPS certificate generation."
"IIS could improve by Microsoft Windows improving the update services. We would like to be able to update all systems that are connected. The WSA service has to be in good order to accomplish this."
"Microsoft products can only work within the Windows environment, which limits their versatility."
"The security must be improved."
"Compared to Linux, the solution’s Windows patching is slower. I would like to improve it."
"This solution needs to be easier for cases where you want to have an IIS cluster."
"The scalability depends on how you have set it up. If you're running IIS on a single server, it might not be as capable as if you are on many in a cluster or with load balancing and so on."
More IIS cons
"The most important issue I've found is the blue screen errors, particularly when customers use external displays with a P-type cable."
"The product is unable to connect with different cloud services."
"Microsoft will stop supporting the product next year, and we can't run unsupported programs in our systems."
"Its price and licensing policy can be improved. It could be a little cheaper. Licensing is sometimes confusing. There are so many different options. It is difficult to find out what to buy or what to choose for my necessity."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"This solution comes included with Windows Server."
"We purchased a Microsoft Windows license and the license for IIS came in the package."
"It is licensed with your Windows installation which makes it relatively cheap if you already have a Windows Server sitting around."
"IIS's pricing is reasonable."
"Users can get a subscription-based license or a perpetual license for IIS."
"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 give the price of the solution a five out of ten."
"The solution’s pricing is yearly. The pricing is affordable and not high."
More IIS pricing and cost advice
"The product is affordable, in my opinion."
"It is expensive, and its licensing is a bit confusing."
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860,168 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
17%
Financial Services Firm
15%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
8%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

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 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
What do you like most about Windows Server AppFabric?
The product's deployment phase was very easy.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Windows Server AppFabric?
The product is affordable, in my opinion.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Windows Server AppFabric?
The most important issue I've found is the blue screen errors, particularly when customers use external displays with a P-type cable. I have advised against using external displays for crucial appl...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Apache Web Server vs IIS Logo
Apache Web Server vs IIS
Compared 29% of the time
NGINX Plus vs IIS Logo
NGINX Plus vs IIS
Compared 28% of the time
Oracle WebLogic Server vs IIS Logo
Oracle WebLogic Server vs IIS
Compared 13% of the time
Tomcat vs IIS Logo
Tomcat vs IIS
Compared 13% of the time
Microsoft .NET Framework vs IIS Logo
Microsoft .NET Framework vs IIS
Compared 5% of the time
More IIS Competitors
No data available
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
IIS
June 2025
IIS reportDownload IIS product report
Buyer's Guide
Application Infrastructure
June 2025
Windows Server AppFabric reportDownload Windows Server AppFabric product report
 

Also Known As

Windows Server IIS
No data available
 

Overview

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
Windows Server AppFabric extends Windows Server to provide enhanced hosting, management, and caching capabilities for Web applications and middle-tier services. The AppFabric hosting features add service management extensions to Internet Information Services (IIS), Windows Process Activation Service (WAS), and the .NET Framework 4. This includes Hosting Services and Hosting Administration tools that make it easier to deploy, configure, and manage Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) and Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) based services. The AppFabric caching features add a distributed, in-memory object cache to Windows Server that makes it easier to scale out high-performance .NET applications, especially ASP.NET applications.
Microsoft
 

Sample Customers

Erste Bank Group, NJVC, Samsung Electronics, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Tata Steel Europe, Urban Software Institute
OSIsoft
Buyer's Guide
IIS vs. Windows Server AppFabric
June 2025
Free Report: IIS vs. Windows Server AppFabric
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