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IBM WebSphere Application Server vs SAP NetWeaver Business Rules Management comparison

IBM and SAP are both solutions in the Application Infrastructure category. IBM is ranked #3 with an average rating of 7.8, while SAP is ranked #24. IBM holds a 11.8% mindshare in AIS, compared to SAP’s 0.4% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution.
IBM WebSphere Application S...
Read 31 IBM WebSphere Application Server reviews
  • 2,009 Views
  • 1,041 Comparison Views
88% willing to recommend
SAP NetWeaver Business Rule...
Read 2 SAP NetWeaver Business Rules Management reviews
  • 106 Views
  • 44 Comparison Views
0% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 5, 2025

IBM WebSphere Application Server and SAP NetWeaver Business Rules Management compete in the enterprise application infrastructure space. Data comparisons suggest that SAP NetWeaver has an advantage in features, while IBM WebSphere is preferred for pricing and support.

Features: IBM WebSphere Application Server is known for its scalable architecture, robust security features, and wide integration capabilities. SAP NetWeaver Business Rules Management offers advanced rule authoring, simulation, and management tools which are appealing to businesses needing complex rule processing.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM WebSphere Application Server provides a comprehensive deployment model with strong global customer support, making it suitable for varied enterprise environments. SAP NetWeaver Business Rules Management is flexible in deployment and excels in integration with SAP's ecosystem, offering significant benefits for existing SAP users.

Pricing and ROI: IBM WebSphere Application Server typically offers competitive setup costs focused on cost-effective scalability, contributing to positive ROI perceptions. SAP NetWeaver Business Rules Management may involve higher initial costs but offers substantial long-term ROI through its high functionality and integration benefits, especially for businesses utilizing SAP ecosystems.

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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
31
Ranking in other categories
Application Server (4th)
SAP NetWeaver Business Rule...
Ranking in Application Infrastructure
24th
Average Rating
6.0
Reviews Sentiment
8.1
Number of Reviews
2
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Application Infrastructure category, the mindshare of IBM WebSphere Application Server is 11.8%, up from 10.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SAP NetWeaver Business Rules Management is 0.4%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Application Infrastructure
 

Featured Reviews

BharathirajaSukumar - PeerSpot reviewer
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
HG
Good stability and good visibility but requires a better user interface
We're an SAP partner. We do also deploy some clients to the cloud, but 95% of the work we do with the solution is on-premises. I'd rate the solution six out of ten. I'm an architect, so I don't know enough about the implementation side to really be able to share any relevant first-hand experience in regards to setting the solution up.
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

"IBM WAS is extremely scalable. It is easy to add additional servers and to divide the load over servers in all kinds of ways."
"IBM WebSphere Application Server is easy to use."
"The scalability of the product is quite good."
"This solution is easy to use with a GUI that is intuitive and very helpful."
"Ease of administration: It has an Integrated Solutions Console, what we call the administrative console, with very detailed configurations and Help pages for each configurable item."
"The solution is very stable and robust."
"WebSphere Application Server's best features include the data subscription and connection viewer."
"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."
More IBM WebSphere Application Server pros
"There are many features of the solution that are quite useful. For us, the most valuable aspect may be visibility."
 

Cons

"Initial setup is very simple. Just use the IBM Installation Manager and add the packages. The install wizard takes care of the rest. The only thing that can be difficult is to find the right packages on the IBM website, because of all the changes that IBM does on its website(s)."
"When compared with WebLogic, Weblogic is lighter and consumes less memory."
"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 main issue we faced was its limited compatibility with non-Java technologies, which can result in difficulty detecting potential bugs and requiring additional integration efforts."
"The security could be better."
"The current trend is to move to Liberty because of the portability of its cloud and its Kubernetes, which containerize the application."
"WebSphere Application Server doesn't have an automated deployment option, forcing us to use third-party tools like Jenkins UCD and Palo Automated Deployment."
"They should make the solution more lightweight and not bundle everything into a single product."
More IBM WebSphere Application Server cons
"The solution could improve its user interface."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The licensing cost is 1,000 of euros for a 30-year table."
"IBM WAS base is part of the deal when you purchase IBM FileNet P8 Content Engine."
"It costs more than some of the others, but, you get what you pay for."
"We pay around $200,000 annually."
"It is very expensive."
"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."
"It's expensive."
More IBM WebSphere Application Server pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
33%
Computer Software Company
13%
Government
7%
Insurance Company
6%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

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
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Comparisons

JBoss Enterprise Application Platform vs IBM WebSphere Application Server Logo
JBoss Enterprise Application Platform vs IBM WebSphere Application Server
Compared 26% of the time
JBoss vs IBM WebSphere Application Server Logo
JBoss vs IBM WebSphere Application Server
Compared 23% of the time
Tomcat vs IBM WebSphere Application Server Logo
Tomcat vs IBM WebSphere Application Server
Compared 17% of the time
Oracle WebLogic Server vs IBM WebSphere Application Server Logo
Oracle WebLogic Server vs IBM WebSphere Application Server
Compared 8% of the time
IBM DataPower Gateway vs IBM WebSphere Application Server Logo
IBM DataPower Gateway vs IBM WebSphere Application Server
Compared 6% of the time
More IBM WebSphere Application Server Competitors
No data available
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
IBM WebSphere Application Server
June 2025
IBM WebSphere Application Server reportDownload IBM WebSphere Application Server product report
Buyer's Guide
Application Infrastructure
June 2025
SAP NetWeaver Business Rules Management reportDownload SAP NetWeaver Business Rules Management product report
 

Also Known As

WebSphere Application Server
NetWeaver Business Rules Management
 

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
SAP NetWeaver Business Rules Management (SAP NetWeaver BRM) is part of the SAP NetWeaver AS Java. SAP NetWeaver BRM enables your organization to externalize business rules and manage them flexibly across multiple installations for greater agility, for consistent and transparent enforcement of policies across the entire enterprise.
SAP
 

Sample Customers

TalkTalk, Property management group, E.SUN Bank, Ohio National Financial Services, Aviarc, Cincom Systems, FJA-US, D+H, Staples, Michigan Municipal League
Dansk Supermarked A/S, Ego Pharmaceuticals Pty. Ltd, Kaeser Kompressoren, Lenovo
Buyer's Guide
Application Infrastructure
June 2025
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We monitor all Application Infrastructure reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.