IBM WebSphere Application Server vs Tomcat comparison

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between IBM WebSphere Application Server and Tomcat based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Application Server solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed IBM WebSphere Application Server vs. Tomcat Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"Security: It is compatible with the latest Java 8 security features, supports FIPS 140-2 and NIST SP 800-53 with strong ciphers and cryptography keys, and supports TLS 1.2 completely. Also, configuring client and server certificates is relatively easy.""The thing about WebSphere, as opposed to other ones that I am aware of such as JBoss and Liberty, is that WebSphere has the most comprehensive scaffolding available to it.""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.""IBM WAS is the backbone for our enterprise content management suite which delivers the primary processes for our customers. Without a good application server, it would be hard to provide a secure layer of midddleware upon which the other applications run. IBM WAS improves the stability of the entire solution and provides a high quality platform for running web-based solutions.""We needed this type of integration and WebShepere is the best tool for it.""The solution has good performance.""One of the most valuable features might be the stability of the IBM WebSphere Application Server.""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."

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"We can use Apache Tomcat for Java server applications.""The most valuable feature of Tomcat is its ability to export libraries into different instances so that I can use it not only in one application but in multiple applications.""It is a robust solution.""The product is easy to use.""It's very stable. No problems at all. I would rate the stability a ten out of ten.""The most valuable feature is how simple it is to deploy the solution.""The most valuable feature is the free EE server.""The product's most valuable feature is the ability to host applications."

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Cons
"The current trend is to move to Liberty because of the portability of its cloud and its Kubernetes, which containerize the application.""IBM needs to pay attention to market changes more quickly. We now have Java 9 and very soon Java EE8. We do not want to wait for two or three years after their release until they are supported by the new version.""It should be able to serve more concurrent requests like Oracle. Oracle has more powerful stability, availability, and real-time serving.""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 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.""When compared with WebLogic, Weblogic is lighter and consumes less memory.""IBM WebSphere Application Server hasn't changed much. It's still a heavyweight for any company compared to what you get. Unless your code base is deeply linked with it, I don't think it's a great idea to go with this solution. The current trend is toward modularity and containerization, and given the product's requirements, containerization will be difficult. There is a memory requirement as well.""The solution consumes hardware."

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"The high availability is not as robust as the competition is such as WebLogic and Jboss.""Tomcat is not user-friendly. I would also like to be able to have multiple applications run at the same time.""If Apache can come up with a better solution to provide better security, that would be ideal.""The solution's interface and backup features could be better.""One way to improve the solution is by making the logging capabilities of Tomcat better by providing a logger within the server itself and making it easy to access and view the server logs. This can be especially useful when debugging issues with applications deployed on the Tomcat server. By having the ability to view both the application logs and the server logs, you can more easily identify the source of any issues and troubleshoot them more efficiently. Providing a connector or other similar feature that allows you to access the server logs from within your application can also be helpful in this regard. Having access to both the application logs and the server logs can be a valuable resource when trying to identify and resolve problems.""If it could support the driver's VIN, they can run natively without the GBM. Now, we can run what we call the native cloud application that doesn't require GBM. If Tomcat can support that, it's going to improve performance and backup.""It will be useful if a direct report concerning a particular server configuration or application usage is readily available in the dashboard.""The stability must be improved."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "IBM WAS base is part of the deal when you purchase IBM FileNet P8 Content Engine."
  • "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."
  • "There is an Eclipse Plugin provided by IBM, so no need to buy IBM Rational Application Developer or Rational Software Architect tools."
  • "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."
  • "I don't remember the price, but there are no additional costs."
  • "We pay around $200,000 annually."
  • "The price of this product is higher than that of competitors."
  • "We used to pay about $100,000-$120,000 US or somewhere around there. That was a bit cost-prohibitive for us to continue."
  • More IBM WebSphere Application Server Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "This is an open-source product and it's free to use."
  • "We are using the open-source version."
  • "The solution is free."
  • "Tomcat is an open source solution."
  • "We are currently using the open-source version."
  • "The price of the solution is good."
  • "I give the pricing an eight out of ten."
  • "The solution is open source so is free."
  • More Tomcat Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The pricing is a little expensive. I would rate the pricing a four out of ten.
    Top Answer:Sometimes, I feel WebSphere runs a bit slow. It might be loading unnecessary libraries, impacting its performance compared to other application servers. So, better performance is my main request.
    Top Answer:The product's most valuable feature is the ability to host applications.
    Top Answer:Improvements could be made in the integration process of securing the Tomcat server within development environments like STS and SCS. The current procedure appears complex and could benefit from a… more »
    Top Answer:We use the product to deploy Java applications on Linux operating systems.
    Ranking
    5th
    out of 20 in Application Server
    Views
    4,565
    Comparisons
    3,159
    Reviews
    8
    Average Words per Review
    382
    Rating
    7.6
    2nd
    out of 20 in Application Server
    Views
    7,313
    Comparisons
    6,326
    Reviews
    22
    Average Words per Review
    368
    Rating
    8.4
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    WebSphere Application Server
    Learn More
    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.”

    Tomcat is a reliable and efficient web server, popular for hosting and running Java-based applications. It is praised for its scalability, compatibility with different operating systems and development frameworks, and its ability to handle heavy workloads. 

    Users appreciate Tomcat's ease of use, robust performance, reliable server functionality, seamless integration with various platforms, extensive documentation, and strong community support.

    Sample Customers
    TalkTalk, Property management group, E.SUN Bank, Ohio National Financial Services, Aviarc, Cincom Systems, FJA-US, D+H, Staples, Michigan Municipal League
    1. Adobe Systems 2. Amazon 3. Apple 4. AT&T 5. Bank of America 6. Boeing 7. Cisco Systems 8. Citigroup 9. Dell 10. eBay 11. Facebook 12. General Electric 13. Google 14. Hewlett-Packard 15. IBM 16. Intel 17. JPMorgan Chase 18. Microsoft 19. Netflix 20. Oracle 21. PayPal 22. Salesforce 23. Samsung 24. Sony 25. Target 26. Twitter 27. Uber 28. Verizon 29. Visa 30. Volkswagen 31. Walmart 32. Yahoo
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm30%
    Computer Software Company26%
    Government13%
    Insurance Company9%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Financial Services Firm29%
    Computer Software Company13%
    Insurance Company7%
    Government7%
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm30%
    Computer Software Company25%
    Comms Service Provider10%
    Transportation Company5%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization39%
    Financial Services Firm16%
    Computer Software Company8%
    Government5%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business22%
    Midsize Enterprise9%
    Large Enterprise69%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business15%
    Midsize Enterprise11%
    Large Enterprise74%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business49%
    Midsize Enterprise2%
    Large Enterprise49%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business11%
    Midsize Enterprise43%
    Large Enterprise46%
    Buyer's Guide
    IBM WebSphere Application Server vs. Tomcat
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about IBM WebSphere Application Server vs. Tomcat and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    IBM WebSphere Application Server is ranked 5th in Application Server with 25 reviews while Tomcat is ranked 2nd in Application Server with 41 reviews. IBM WebSphere Application Server is rated 7.8, while Tomcat is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of IBM WebSphere Application Server writes "Compatible, stable, and scalable". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Tomcat writes "A lightweight tool that offers efficiency in terms of memory and resource usage". IBM WebSphere Application Server is most compared with JBoss Enterprise Application Platform, JBoss, Oracle WebLogic Server, IBM BPM and Apache Web Server, whereas Tomcat is most compared with Oracle WebLogic Server, JBoss, IIS, Oracle GlassFish and Caucho Resin. See our IBM WebSphere Application Server vs. Tomcat report.

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    We monitor all Application Server 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.