IBM WebSphere Application Server vs Microsoft .NET Framework comparison

IBM and Microsoft are both solutions in the Application Infrastructure category. IBM is ranked #3 with an average rating of 7.6, while Microsoft is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.5. IBM holds a 10.0% mindshare in AIS, compared to Microsoft’s 5.8% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 93% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

IBM WebSphere Application S...

Read 31 IBM WebSphere Application Server reviews

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1,639 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

Microsoft .NET Framework

Read 55 Microsoft .NET Framework reviews

1,380 Views
1,339 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

IBM WebSphere Application S...

Microsoft .NET Framework

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 5, 2025

IBM WebSphere Application Server and Microsoft .NET Framework are key players in the application development and deployment arena. Microsoft .NET Framework has a slight advantage in terms of features, highlighting superior functionality based on user feedback. Conversely, IBM WebSphere is praised for its robust support and cost-effectiveness for enterprises.

Features: IBM WebSphere Application Server provides robust scalability, critical for large enterprises, coupled with strong security capabilities. It offers exceptional integration support for complex environments and is preferred for mission-critical applications. Microsoft .NET Framework excels in flexibility and ease of development, with a comprehensive suite of libraries and frameworks. It allows for cross-platform development and is recognized for its user-friendly development environment, making it suitable for a variety of applications.

Room for Improvement: IBM WebSphere can be complex to use, necessitating specialized skills for optimal setup and management. Its integration process can be cumbersome for newer developers. Meanwhile, Microsoft .NET Framework may benefit from enhanced performance on non-Windows platforms and reducing dependency restraints when integrating with certain third-party systems. Enhanced scalability for high-load situations would also improve its offering.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft .NET Framework is celebrated for its simple deployment process and robust developer support system, suiting projects of all sizes. IBM WebSphere, while complex in deployment, provides substantial commercial support, ideal for large-scale, enterprise solutions that require customized configurations and extensive developer involvement.

Pricing and ROI: IBM WebSphere involves higher initial costs but yields strong returns for large enterprises due to its performance in heavy-duty scenarios. Microsoft .NET Framework offers cost-efficient deployment, appealing to businesses with lighter, diverse applications and a focus on quicker ROI. The financial commitment is less stringent, broadening its appeal to varied scales of business operations.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM WebSphere Application Server vs. Microsoft .NET Framework Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM WebSphere Application Server vs. Microsoft .NET Framework

September 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

IBM WebSphere Application S...

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

3rd

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Application Server (4th)

Microsoft .NET Framework

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

2nd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Application Infrastructure category, the mindshare of IBM WebSphere Application Server is 10.0%, down from 10.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft .NET Framework is 5.8%, down from 6.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Infrastructure Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft .NET Framework	5.8%
IBM WebSphere Application Server	10.0%
Other	84.2%

Application Infrastructure

Featured Reviews

BharathirajaSukumar

Senior Lead Analyst at Radial

Efficient load balancing and the clustering, achieved by using the deployment manager, is valuable

I believe that the system is already good. However, for improvement or enhancement, it is user-friendly, but it could offer better choices on the front end for different aspects or options. Sometimes, I have to search extensively for features, as there are no upfront tabs. There is a lack of visible, easy, user-friendly, and straightforward options for the number of features.

Read full review

David Shlingbaum

IT Development Manager, Architect, Developer at Miltel Communications LTD

Old version maintains functionality but lacks current cloud support

Since the version I'm using is many years old, they have been continuously improving. They are always adding features to the language and framework, but I cannot comment from a very old version on what needs to be improved as I'm not completely up to date. There is a challenge and complexity in supporting a very old version of a product that is no longer supported. It's still possible with Microsoft .NET Framework, which isn't the case with many other products. That's a positive aspect. It has limitations when trying to develop new things with Microsoft .NET Framework. But whatever works, continues to work. It always needs improvement, but again, it does not improve when discussing an old version of Microsoft .NET Framework. I think they're always improving, but it's a never-ending process.

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

"High availability, alert management, and deployments are the most valuable features for us. We have the ND version so we can do deployments."

"Without the Admin Console it would be very hard to configure JVM settings, JDBC datasources, mail session settings, and security providers."

"The VPN service is quite useful."

"As compared to other applications, it has tremendous support. We have built internal capability so that we use it extensively internally. It is also easier to use with the outside data. You can write in ESQL, Java, or any other technology that you want to use for development. So, it is a lot more flexible in the language that it supports."

"IBM WAS is extremely scalable. It is easy to add additional servers and to divide the load over servers in all kinds of ways."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is Portal Virtualization."

"IBM WebSphere Application Server is one of the best servers due to its stability and paid license."

"IBM WebSphere Application Server is the best in terms of scalability and performance, as well as the support for managing distributed transactions."

More IBM WebSphere Application Server pros

"Microsoft is better in backward compatibility compared to others."

"It facilitated the streamlined scheduling process by amalgamating inputs from various sources, including location data and other systems."

"Basically, .NET is simply is the easiest programming language to use, based on my experience."

"The product has a good interface and easy-to-use programming language."

"The tool offers a lot of support, and there is a lot of knowledge material available, along with a lot of community groups."

"The new .NET Core has those middlewares, which are awesome from a security standpoint. With the old Framework or the newer Framework, middleware is basically an event pipeline. You configure and register it, and it handles things centrally. A simple example is logging. With the old Framework, you needed to try/catch blocks everywhere. Here, you configure the logging handler once, and it captures exceptions across the application. I really like the middleware pattern."

"The most valuable feature is the financial accounting."

"If we take low code, no code platform such as RPA platforms, you might end up writing 100 lines of code and you might do it in a single line of code using. NET."

More Microsoft .NET Framework pros

Cons

"The business logic side of it is sort of missing in the sense that if I want to track and measure velocity, it is not really available. You have to buy another application and embark on a separate implementation. Instead of having different licensing, IBM DataPower should be integrated with WebSphere. It will allow us to build the business layer and rules a lot more efficiently, rather than developing rules within the application. It would be good if we can set up the business layer through parametrization rather than development. IBM DataPower has the business rule and the controls, and if it can be integrated, it would be fantastic. It will help the application in working better in terms of security features and business logic. If you're going to use it for open banking, you will be able to monitor velocity on the total pricing."

"The solution consumes hardware."

"Installing or configuring a WAS server instance as a Windows Service causes a lot of problems, especially when the server needs credentials to stop."

"It should be able to serve more concurrent requests like Oracle. Oracle has more powerful stability, availability, and real-time serving."

"When we run into memory or locking issues, we resort to using third-party tools. However, it would be preferable to have native tools for debugging this type of problem."

"I think that this is a good product but I think that the cloud environment could be improved. I think that the future is in the utilization of the product in a product as a service way which is something that is lacking at this moment."

"The installation has room for improvement."

"The footprint could be reduced so that we can use a smaller virtual machine to run the application. We could also use more scripts. I would like this solution to be more script oriented, rather than GUI oriented."

More IBM WebSphere Application Server cons

"Better integration with other tools to make the operation faster would be an improvement."

"I would want the product to be integrated with the different AI tools in the future since it is one of the areas where the product has certain shortcomings."

"One thing that could be improved is the tooling and IDE for .NET in non-Windows environments like Mac."

"They do provide the .NET library, however, for me, the most important capability we want to investigate in the future is the integration with Copilot. This would help speed up the development of the code and also the testing and documentation of the requirement."

"In the next release, I am looking for more advanced technologies such as socket communication and enhanced features like realtime chat with the clients."

"There are performance constraints when multiple users are accessing the application and that consumes CPU resources."

"Lacking in auto-scaling."

"The integration could improve in Microsoft .NET Framework."

More Microsoft .NET Framework cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Room for improvement would only be in the licensing. As with all IBM products the licensing can be complex and expensive. Bargain well and try to get as much discount as possible. Discounts of 85% are possible. Without the discount, I think the product is overrated."

"The solution is quite expensive."

"The licensing policy is based on the PVU base."

"The licensing cost is 1,000 of euros for a 30-year table."

"If your application is just a web app that does not need to scale big, you can obtain a single core license of WAS Express edition, which has almost the same features with limited processing cores. If you manage a very big application farm (i.e. need to run 10 or more WAS servers) it is better to get IBM WAS Hypervisor Edition."

"When you purchase Maximo, you get WebSphere for free."

"There is an Eclipse Plugin provided by IBM, so no need to buy IBM Rational Application Developer or Rational Software Architect tools."

"My company is on a perpetual or permanent license agreement with IBM WebSphere Application Server. There's also a pay-per-use option, but customers rarely choose that option. Most of the customers are on the perpetual license deal that's all-inclusive. As the license cost is quite expensive, I'm rating it two out of five."

More IBM WebSphere Application Server pricing and cost advice

"Do your homework. Consider the partnership program."

"In the interim, there's no need to purchase videos for viewing. Microsoft has made significant moves in the .NET space, starting with their response in Visual Studio Code and now providing Visual Studio entirely for free. This is a notable shift from the past when we used to pay substantial amounts for technical subscriptions. Previously, a group of ten developers could cost several thousand dollars annually for licensing. However, the current trend is to offer these tools for free to maintain their dominance in the developer market. The market dynamics have changed, and now developers can freely download Visual Studio, making it a preferred choice over other paid options."

"If you want to develop an enterprise-level application, you have to purchase the enterprise-level development license."

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

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

"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."

"The pricing could be cheaper."

"Microsoft .NET Framework is a free, open-source solution."

More Microsoft .NET Framework pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

33%

Computer Software Company

11%

Government

Insurance Company

Construction Company

14%

Real Estate/Law Firm

12%

Government

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	8
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	23

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	28
Midsize Enterprise	9
Large Enterprise	22

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM WebSphere Application Server?

Network Deployment is the most useful feature for scalability. It has many features within the standard WebSphere Application Server edition.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM WebSphere Application Server?

In Korea, when you buy IBM iOS, the WebSphere base version is included with iOS. That means no additional cost.

See all answers

What needs improvement with IBM WebSphere Application Server?

I find the server okay, however, using the Maker instance, the Moving instance, and the Change instance is a little bit complicated without WebSphere knowledge.

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?

I don't know about pricing. I'm paying for Visual Studio, even though I'm not using the new version yet. Prices can always be better, but I think for the environment provided, the prices are accept...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft .NET Framework?

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 26% of the time

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Compared 21% of the time

Tomcat vs IBM WebSphere Application Server

Compared 15% of the time

Oracle WebLogic Server vs IBM WebSphere Application Server

Compared 8% of the time

IBM WebSphere Liberty vs IBM WebSphere Application Server

Compared 2% of the time

More IBM WebSphere Application Server Competitors

Apache Web Server vs Microsoft .NET Framework

Compared 20% of the time

IIS vs Microsoft .NET Framework

Compared 17% of the time

Magic xpa Application Platform vs Microsoft .NET Framework

Compared 14% of the time

JBoss Enterprise Application Platform vs Microsoft .NET Framework

Compared 10% of the time

Windows Process Activation Services vs Microsoft .NET Framework

Compared 6% of the time

More Microsoft .NET Framework Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM WebSphere Application Server

September 2025

Download IBM WebSphere Application Server product report

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft .NET Framework

August 2025

Download Microsoft .NET Framework product report

Also Known As

WebSphere Application Server

MS .NET Framework

Overview

IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) is a middleware platform developed by IBM. It provides a range of services and tools to help organizations develop, deploy, and manage Java-based applications. WAS is part of IBM's WebSphere product family and provides a secure, scalable, and highly available platform for developing and running web-based applications. WAS provides a secure, scalable, and highly available platform, making it an attractive solution for organizations looking to develop and deploy enterprise-grade applications.

IBM WebSphere Application Server Features

IBM WebSphere Application Server has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

Application deployment: IBM WAS enables organizations to deploy and manage applications in a secure and scalable environment.

Clustering: The clustering feature can help organizations ensure high availability and improve application performance.

Load balancing: The solution Includes load balancing capabilities to distribute application workloads and improve performance.

Security: IBM WAS offers a range of security features, including authentication, authorization, and encryption, to help organizations secure their applications and data.

Monitoring and management: The solution’s range of tools for monitoring and managing applications, including the IBM WebSphere Administrative Console allows organizations to optimize application performance and resolve issues easily.

Integration: IBM WAS integrates with a range of IBM and third-party products, including IBM WebSphere MQ, IBM DB2, and more, to provide a comprehensive platform for developing and running web-based applications.

IBM WebSphere Application Server Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing IBM WebSphere Application Server. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

Improved application performance: The IBM WAS platform offers a scalable and secure platform for deploying and managing applications, enabling organizations to improve application performance and reduce downtime.

High availability: IBM WAS provides clustering and load-balancing capabilities to help organizations ensure high availability.

Improved security: With a large range of security features, including authentication, authorization, and encryption, the solution helps organizations secure their applications and data.

Simplified management: IBM WAS is designed with a set of tools for monitoring and managing applications, enabling organizations to optimize performance and resolve issues efficiently.

Increased flexibility: The solution integrates with a range of IBM and third-party products, providing organizations with a flexible platform for developing and running web-based applications.

Improved developer productivity: It supports the latest Java EE specifications, allowing developers to use the latest technologies and development methodologies when building applications.

Better customer experience: Organizations can deliver faster and more reliable applications, improving the overall customer experience.

Scalability: IBM WAS provides a scalable and secure platform for deploying and managing applications, so organizations can quickly respond to changing business requirements.

Reviews from Real Users

IBM WebSphere Application Server is a solution that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Some of its major advantages are that it is stable, supports many languages, and is resilient.

Princewill O., Head Banking Application Customization and Reporting at a financial services firm, states, “[The solution is] very stable, supports many languages, and helpful for faster time to market.”

"What's most valuable in IBM WebSphere Application Server is its resilience. When you use the solution, you know that after the communication has been done, there will be no doubt that the data has reached its destination,” says Nicolae C., System and Solutions Architect at Seidor.

Another PeerSpot reviewer, an Enterprise Technical Leader at a tech services company mentions, “[It is an] enterprise-level product with extensive console capabilities, including the ability to control multiple JVM containers.”

IBM

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

TalkTalk, Property management group, E.SUN Bank, Ohio National Financial Services, Aviarc, Cincom Systems, FJA-US, D+H, Staples, Michigan Municipal League

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

IBM WebSphere Application Server vs. Microsoft .NET Framework

September 2025

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