IIS vs Magic xpa Application Platform comparison

Microsoft and Magic Software are both solutions in the Application Server category. Microsoft is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.2, while Magic Software is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.0. Microsoft holds a 6.5% mindshare in AppS, compared to Magic Software’s 0.4% mindshare. Additionally, 89% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Magic Software users who would recommend it.

IIS

Read 57 IIS reviews

3,221 Views
1,256 Comparison Views

89% willing to recommend

Magic xpa Application Platform

Read 10 Magic xpa Application Platform reviews

1,075 Views
75 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IIS

Magic xpa Application Platform

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 2, 2025

Magic xpa Application Platform and IIS both operate in the realm of IT solutions, each excelling in distinct areas. Magic xpa takes the lead with its user-friendly development focus and efficiency, while IIS excels in robust server capabilities and security features.

Features: Magic xpa Application Platform offers cross-platform capabilities, an integrated development environment, and rapid application development. It supports a range of databases and emphasizes ease of integration with internet applications. IIS stands out with its scalability, security enhancements, and seamless integration with Windows-based applications. It provides robust server functionalities ideal for managing web environments effectively.

Room for Improvement: Magic xpa could enhance its server management capabilities and security features. Improving integration with mobile-centric applications could also expand its appeal. Its scalability for enterprise-level solutions can be further refined. IIS may benefit from simplified configuration processes for non-technical users. Enhancing support for diverse database environments and better cost-efficiency could make it more attractive to a broader range of businesses.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Magic xpa Application Platform offers straightforward deployment processes, supported by responsive customer service for seamless transitions. This efficiency appeals to businesses looking for a quick start. IIS provides comprehensive documentation and support for complex server setups, ensuring stable operations, which is beneficial for enterprises handling extensive server infrastructures.

Pricing and ROI: Magic xpa Application Platform presents competitive setup costs, favoring businesses prioritizing application development speed and flexibility, leading to better ROI. IIS, with a higher initial investment, offers substantial long-term ROI due to its robust security and integration capabilities, making it a favored choice for organizations focused on operational excellence.

To learn more, read our detailed IIS vs. Magic xpa Application Platform Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IIS vs. Magic xpa Application Platform

July 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 Server

5th

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

1st

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Magic xpa Application Platform

Ranking in Application Server

8th

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

14th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Mobile Development Platforms (9th)

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Application Server category, the mindshare of IIS is 6.5%, down from 6.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Magic xpa Application Platform is 0.4%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Server

Featured Reviews

VikramSingh6

Operations Executive at Quess

A simple and easy-to-use solution but not recommended for public apps

I would rate the overall solution a six out of ten. We have around five to six developers and engineers for the solution’s deployment and maintenance. You can use the solution if your website is not too big or complicated. However, if it is big and complicated, then you need to use Apache or Red Hat. This tool can be used for internal purposes. But if you plan to host a public app, then I wouldn’t recommend the tool.

Read full review

Mylsamy T.

Senior Associate - IT at Himalaya Wellness Company

Enables us to develop more than 90 applications in-house, which are used across our organization

It's a bit difficult to work with purely web-based applications to get the data and display it. There have been a few times when the connection was disconnected between the server and your browser. The connectivity on browser-built applications needs to be improved. The mobile application development could be easier. They could include different external applications, like finger sensors. I'm not sure whether it's in version 3.8 or not.

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

"It is a lightweight web host that is easy to configure for simple webpages."

"It is an easy-to-use and secure program."

"The initial setup is simple."

"We use Windows Server only for Eggplant Manager."

"The product is easy to configure."

"The solution integrates well with most Microsoft products."

"The initial setup of IIS is easy. The process takes only five minutes."

"The product is flexible."

More IIS pros

"Magic’s Database Gateway allows the logic of the program to be isolated from the underlying database. This provides the flexibility not only to move existing programs to different database environments without the need to change the logic in the program but also allows the programmer access to different databases without the need to know how to "talk" to them."

"Speed of development and database connectivity (MS SQL, Oracle, DB2, Btrieve/Pervasive PSQL, ODBC, MySql, and SQLite)."

"Magic is rapid, it's a tool which we use to develop, change and maintain our programs. xpa has a lot more features onboard and it gives us the opportunity to do such things so that we can easily adapt and maintain our programs. It gives certain benefits to stay with our customers and the market."

"The solution makes the managing and adapting of the software very easy."

"The ability to use the same development environment for both Windows and Android applications. Magic xpa also supports iOS applications."

"Without the need to compile code, the time spent in the development cycle is greatly reduced, allowing the programmer to test modifications to a program immediately after they have been saved."

"What I found most valuable in the Magic xpa Application Platform is that it has a client-server and web browser technology that's perfect for company users."

"The speed of development is the quickest for any tool on the market."

More Magic xpa Application Platform pros

Cons

"Microsoft products can only work within the Windows environment, which limits their versatility."

"Performance-wise, certain improvements in IIS are needed...IIS is not scalable. Its scalability is less."

"I am using an older version of Windows Server IIS and the general management and navigation to get something done is not as straightforward as I hope it to be. The interface could be improved."

"The visibility feature of the product is an area with certain shortcomings where improvements are required."

"The documentation isn't very good and the options are very complex."

"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."

"The product could be more compatible with Linux and macOS, particularly when applying user configuration policies."

"Scalability issues and security concerns need attention from Microsoft."

More IIS cons

"The user interface could be improved to be more friendly for developers."

"It is missing basic charting tools for bar/pie/series charts. It is left to the developer to acquire and deploy charting tools or the customer to purchase a third-party reporting tool to produce charts."

"The Android environment is missing a number of functions for file/folder manipulation, sending receiving text messages (SMS) and the menuing options are limited. For now, it is left to the developer to write his/her own Java functions to include in the APK."

"They want to be one toolbox for everything, but primarily, we are using xpa to develop desktop applications, and in that area they're lacking functionalities, flexibility, and modern stuff."

"The ability to display page up, page down, top and bottom buttons along the scroll bar would make my mouse-reliant customers happy."

"Throughout my career, I've encountered difficulties when integrating new technologies with Magic xpa Application Platform. In particular, when attempting to incorporate features from other development languages into earlier versions of the solution called uniPaaS. I struggled to integrate .NET components due to the limited options available. This made the process more challenging and complicated. I find it challenging to create a more user-friendly experience for users who may be comparing the system to other systems they have used outside or within the company on different platforms."

"When you have several tasks, you open a screen in a task in developing mode, and you don't see the parent screens. Debugging lacks the effects to solve problems. You have to do it first in a kind of studio. Then you have to be sure that you can do it in Magic because there is almost nothing to debug it. It's practically impossible to debug. You have to be sure before you put your snippets."

"I would like to see a spell checker included with optional language support. Currently, this has to be purchased from a third-party."

More Magic xpa Application Platform cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"IIS's pricing is not expensive."

"The yearly licensing cost is very high. The solution is very expensive."

"The solution provides multiple licensing options."

"I think it's part of the Windows Server, so you won't have any other costs to add in order to use the IIS service."

"It is licensed with your Windows installation which makes it relatively cheap if you already have a Windows Server sitting around."

"The licensing cost is dependent on the usage."

"There is no license needed to use the solution."

"The cost for IIS is already included in Windows services. We don't have to pay anything extra."

More IIS pricing and cost advice

"Magic is not the cheapest IDE out there. If you are considering Magic xpa, you should do a cost-benefit analysis to feel comfortable with your decision. The Magic sales staff is very helpful in providing pricing."

"It's not cheap. The licenses are not cheap. Not at all. They cost much money. There are other tools with free licenses but Magic asks for a lot of money."

"The licensing is too costly."

"There are different licenses, we have the application and the online application. There are two different licenses for two different program sites for the Magic xpa Application Platform."

"The main problem with the Magic xpa Application Platform is pricing. You have to pay a lot of money for development, and you also have to pay a lot for the deployments and runtime, while in most competitors, you have to pay a lot for one of the two and not both."

"The cost for developers is high because you have to pay for licenses as well as runtime."

"The licensing cost varies because nowadays Magic has tailor-made offerings for clients. I think the solution is worth the money."

"My clients have to purchase additional licenses in order to use what I built. It's not a fair approach."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

15%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

13%

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Insurance Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

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

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Comparisons

Apache Web Server vs IIS

Compared 28% of the time

NGINX Plus vs IIS

Compared 27% of the time

Tomcat vs IIS

Compared 11% of the time

Oracle WebLogic Server vs IIS

Compared 11% of the time

Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (EAP) vs IIS

Compared 6% of the time

More IIS Competitors

Microsoft .NET Framework vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 27% of the time

Mendix vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 22% of the time

OutSystems vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 21% of the time

Apache Web Server vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 20% of the time

GeneXus vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 10% of the time

More Magic xpa Application Platform Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IIS

August 2025

Download IIS product report

Buyer's Guide

Magic xpa Application Platform

August 2025

Download Magic xpa Application Platform product report

Also Known As

Windows Server IIS

uniPaaS

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

Magic xpa Application Platform is a mobile development platform that is designed to enable organizations to simplify and manage every aspect of their application development process. It enables users to construct applications while expending a minimal number of resources. Developers can leverage AI technology in a way that maximizes their ability to effectively deploy their resources toward the end of producing the best possible applications. Ultimately, Magic xpa Application Platform allows developers to rapidly develop and deploy applications across multiple platform types.

Magic xpa Application Platform Benefits

Some of the ways that organizations can benefit by deploying Magic xpa Application Platform include:

Decrease time needed for application production and refinement. Magic xpa Application Platform comes with pre-built application components that can be used to quickly create iterations of the application that can then be deployed or tested. It also makes it so that any and all changes or upgrades that are applied to the application take effect across all of the devices that run the application.

Allows developers to be far more productive than they would be otherwise. Various features, such as Magic xpa Application Platform’s drag-and-drop capability, allow developers to worry less about the more technical aspects of designing the applications and have more time to design the best possible application.

Ease of use. Magic xpa Application Platform is a low-code application development platform. This means that developers do not need to have extensive programming knowledge to create applications. Solutions of this type are far more accessible to the general employee of an organization than a program that is code-heavy. Fewer resources need to be spent training users to employ Magic xpa Application Platform than would be true of other similar platforms. Organizations increase their overall productivity when the process of application development becomes something that even those employees who are not the most technically savvy can take part.

Magic xpa Application Platform Features

Some of the many useful features Magic xpa Application Platform has to offer include:

AI-powered development capabilities. Magic xpa Application Platform has a built-in AI that users can leverage to simplify every step of the development process. Users can use this AI to automate various development steps. This increases the speed at which they can produce applications.

Mobile use capability. Magic xpa Application Platform has a mobile application that organizations can use to run their product development from anywhere in the world.

Collaboration tools. Magic xpa Application Platform provides developers with tools that enable them to work with others to create the enterprise applications that their organizations need.

Reviews from Real Users

Magic xpa Application Platform is a solution that beats out the competition in a number of areas. Two major advantages are the way that it simplifies the application management process and its scalability. It greatly eases the work that developers and administrators do by providing all of the tools that they need to meet their objectives. Additionally, users never have to worry about running out of development capacity in their digital environment. Magic xpa Application Platform can scale up and provide developers with the capacity to design and create their applications in the way that best meets their needs.

Per H., the CEO of Mass Marketing Software AB, writes, “The solution makes the managing and adapting of the software very easy. When it comes to the application's service, mistakes can easily be resolved. This shortens the time it takes to progress from an idea to a new function.”

He also writes, “The solution is highly scalable, allowing one to use very large databases and systems.”

Magic Software

Sample Customers

Erste Bank Group, NJVC, Samsung Electronics, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Tata Steel Europe, Urban Software Institute

ADD, Cape plc, Adecco, Kuno Kinzoku Industry Co., GE Capital, Dove Tree, CBS Outdoor, Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, Allstate Life Insurance Company, Titan Software Systems

Buyer's Guide

IIS vs. Magic xpa Application Platform

July 2025

Free Report: IIS vs. Magic xpa Application Platform

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