IBM WebSphere Liberty vs Tomcat comparison

IBM and Apache are both solutions in the Application Server category. IBM is ranked #14, while Apache is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.9. Additionally, 94% of Apache users are willing to recommend the solution.

IBM WebSphere Liberty

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Tomcat

Read 52 Tomcat reviews

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2,559 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

IBM WebSphere Liberty

Tomcat

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 31, 2025

Tomcat and IBM WebSphere Liberty are server environment products. Data comparisons suggest IBM WebSphere Liberty has the upper hand in comprehensive features, while Tomcat is favored for pricing and ease of use.

Features: Tomcat features a lightweight architecture, straightforward configuration, and fast deployment times suited to simple web applications. IBM WebSphere Liberty provides robust features like advanced security, scalability options, and integrated enterprise tools, making it fit for complex deployments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Tomcat's simple and rapid deployment stems from minimal setup processes, enabling quick application start-ups. IBM WebSphere Liberty offers a sophisticated deployment model with flexible options for diverse enterprise needs and comprehensive customer service with more extensive support resources.

Pricing and ROI: Tomcat's open-source nature leads to lower setup costs and potential high ROI for cost-effective solutions. IBM WebSphere Liberty, requiring a higher initial investment, offers enhanced functionality and features, which may be justified for larger enterprises seeking long-term value and scalability, creating a trade-off between initial costs and feature-rich capabilities.

To learn more, read our detailed Application Server Report (Updated: September 2025).

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Application Server

September 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

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Categories and Ranking

IBM WebSphere Liberty

Ranking in Application Server

14th

Average Rating

0.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Tomcat

Ranking in Application Server

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

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Erick Karanja

Technical Lead at Cellulant Kenya

Offers high availability, straightforward deployment and easy to use

Tomcat could be a little bit more innovative. Tomcat could come up with a framework that's more lightweight and purely targeted at Java applications. Some other solutions are doing better right now, maybe because they have come up with MicroProfile, which I think is moving forward. It may actually beat Tomcat because of the lightweight nature of the framework, the MicroProfile. They're coming up with new solutions. So, for the future of Tomcat and to maintain the market share they might be looking for, they need to come up with initiatives to ensure that several of us have a lightweight framework to deploy applications on.

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Financial Services Firm

24%

Government

13%

Computer Software Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	22
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	28

Questions from the Community

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What do you like most about Tomcat?

Tomcat's ease of use has positively impacted project timelines. Tomcat already has high availability – it doesn't go down so often and doesn't require a lot of maintenance. As long as your applicat...

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What needs improvement with Tomcat?

Regarding improvements in Tomcat, I personally haven't used it very extensively, but all Apache products are very useful for our web applications. Although the web server setup is a little differen...

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What is your primary use case for Tomcat?

We use Tomcat for various purposes, and our company finds it to be perfect; we are getting all the solutions out of that. There is still no chance of any migration to any other technology, but addi...

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Comparisons

IBM Open Liberty vs IBM WebSphere Liberty

Compared 46% of the time

IBM WebSphere Application Server vs IBM WebSphere Liberty

Compared 18% of the time

More IBM WebSphere Liberty Competitors

Oracle WebLogic Server vs Tomcat

Compared 23% of the time

Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (EAP) vs Tomcat

Compared 21% of the time

IBM WebSphere Application Server vs Tomcat

Compared 19% of the time

IIS vs Tomcat

Compared 9% of the time

Fujitsu Interstage Application Server vs Tomcat

Compared 4% of the time

More Tomcat Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Application Server

September 2025

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Buyer's Guide

Tomcat

September 2025

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Overview

IBM WebSphere Liberty is a lightweight Java application server designed for rapid development and modern cloud environments. It offers developers the flexibility to create applications efficiently with a focus on ease of deployment and scalability.

WebSphere Liberty enables developers to leverage its modular architecture, supporting a wide range of APIs and application development frameworks. This environment is ideal for cloud-native applications, enabling fast iterations while maintaining conformance to Java standards. Its flexible runtime allows for deployment in diverse environments, from bare metal to Kubernetes, making it adaptable to the evolving technological landscape. Through its intelligent resource management and robust security features, WebSphere Liberty is a favored choice for enterprises looking for performance and reliability.

What are the notable features of IBM WebSphere Liberty?

Modular Architecture: Allows for lightweight deployments and tailored server builds.
Fast Startup: Minimizes startup time, enhancing developer productivity.
Cloud-Native Support: Provides seamless integration into cloud environments, supporting modern DevOps practices.
Java EE and MicroProfile: Offers extensive support for up-to-date Java standards and microservices.
Flexible Deployment: Can run in diverse environments, supporting hybrid and multi-cloud strategies.

What benefits and ROI should users consider in reviews?

Scalability: Enables efficient scaling with business growth demands.
Reduced Costs: Offers a cost-effective solution through efficient resource utilization and modular deployments.
Development Agility: Facilitates faster time-to-market via rapid deployment and reduced startup times.
Security Features: Supports enterprise-grade security and compliance requirements.

In the financial sector, WebSphere Liberty supports rapid transactions and real-time analytics, while in healthcare, it aids in the secure handling of patient data and integration with health information systems. Retailers benefit from its scalability and reliability during peak shopping seasons, ensuring seamless customer experiences. Ultimately, its flexibility makes it suitable across diverse industries looking for robust application performance and management.

IBM

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.

Apache

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

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

Find out what your peers are saying about Apache, Oracle, Red Hat and others in Application Server. Updated: September 2025.

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