IIS vs Magic xpa Application Platform comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Microsoft and Magic Software are both solutions in the Application Server category. Microsoft is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.3, while Magic Software is ranked #10 with an average rating of 7.0. Microsoft holds a 7.8% mindshare in AppS, compared to Magic Software’s 2.6% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Magic Software users who would recommend it.

IIS

Read 61 IIS reviews

6,460 Views
2,713 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Magic xpa Application Platform

Read 10 Magic xpa Application Platform reviews

2,956 Views
591 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IIS

Magic xpa Application Platform

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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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: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

IIS vs. Magic xpa Application Platform

September 2026

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Helped 914,262 peers since 2012

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

4th

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

2nd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Magic xpa Application Platform

Ranking in Application Server

10th

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

14th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Mobile Development Platforms (11th)

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2026, in the Application Server category, the mindshare of IIS is 7.8%, up from 5.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Magic xpa Application Platform is 2.6%, up from 0.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Server Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
IIS	7.8%
Magic xpa Application Platform	2.6%
Other	89.6%

Application Server

Featured Reviews

Krishnakumar Natarajan

Systems Engineer at Atos

Designs and manages multiple websites while ensuring data backup and disaster recovery

I have experience with AWS, and I am most familiar with the server environment, as we just use the server environment and then use Microsoft products on an AWS environment. I have experience with Windows Server IIS, which I ran on my own on-premise data center. The website was developed and then hosted, and through IIS, we managed the servers. The manageability within the IIS environment is not very difficult. For server management, you need to ensure data backup, data restore, and you have a DR configured to keep the database intact. It was done on-premises, so I had no problem doing that. If you have to go to the cloud, then you should have the storage connected to the IIS server and also have a DR set up for that. I didn't use Microsoft Azure tools, but since it is a Microsoft product, Azure has all the portability, so you don't have to worry about compatibility on the cloud. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate this solution a 10.

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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

"Stability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten...Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten."

"IIS is quite easy to set up as it comes pre-configured, so I don't have to install anything."

"The solution is highly reliable."

"When you are working with Microsoft solutions, you will see that the integration with the operating system, and implementing some security features, are easier in IIS than when using another solution."

"The product is easy to use."

"IIS is Internet Information Services, which is application infrastructure, and the main benefits include security control where you can control different access levels and integrate with other services to manage application security."

"It's good and offers good usability."

"It is a scalable solution."

More IIS pros

"In spite of the solution's high cost, we see a very large return on our investment."

"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."

"My employees can develop and deploy something in a matter of hours."

"The Magic xpa Application Platform is very suitable for production since it is easy to update. The program is simple to upgrade and deploy. The solution is convenient in production. You need to adjust the data, then adjust the program which is not difficult."

"Magic’s unique approach to development ensures that the programmer stays focused on the objective of the program (i.e. display all customers in California), instead of the repetitive tasks that surround it (i.e. connect to database, open customers table, create the query to retrieve records within the specified criteria, fetch the result of the query, connect it to a data grid, etc.)."

"The best feature of Magic is the development time. The time it takes to develop something is incredibly fast if you compare Magic with, for example, Java."

"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."

"xpa gives us a fast development speed."

More Magic xpa Application Platform pros

Cons

"The security must be improved."

"Compared to Linux, the solution’s Windows patching is slower. I would like to improve it."

"The initial setup was somewhere in the middle. It wasn't complicated but it wasn't easy either. The documentation isn't very good and the options are very complex."

"Products based on Microsoft .NET do not give companies lot of options; either with Server Operating System shipped IIS, or the developer version called IIS Express."

"There is an issue with the network. The tool's price is also high."

"Occasionally, we encounter performance issues with IIS where it becomes unresponsive and requires a solution restart."

"If Microsoft IIS could work well with AppOptics or things like PHP, Python, and other custom languages that run on the webserver, it would be ideal. I think there are cases where people need to use Apache instead of IIS when IIS doesn't work well with other web languages."

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

More IIS cons

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

"Debugging .NET snippets is not possible, so it lacks the effects to solve problems. First you have to write and test your .NET code in VS, then you have to copy the .NET code in Magic xpa because there is almost nothing to debug it."

"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."

"The company has now released version 4 for web development, but this new release is still pretty hard to use for mobile and web development because it was not improved as much as we expected in the areas of user-friendliness or development-friendliness."

"In the next version of the Magic xpa Application Platform, I want tables or small programs where I can directly add expressions. I can do it on SQL, but it would make life much easier if that specification were added to the platform."

"There is room for improvement in Magic's marketing and licensing. I would like to see more integration of web functionality."

"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."

"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."

More Magic xpa Application Platform cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"IIS's pricing is not expensive."

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

"The price of the cloud system is a bit high."

"The solution provides multiple licensing options."

"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution."

"The licensing cost is dependent on the usage."

"The tool is included with Windows."

"There is no license required for the product as it is role-based. Whenever you go for a Windows platform server, the role has to be installed directly from the server manager. There is no additional cost that has to be paid for that. It is free to use."

More IIS pricing and cost advice

"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."

"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."

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

"The licensing is too costly."

"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."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

14%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Construction Company

Manufacturing Company

13%

Comms Service Provider

13%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Construction Company

11%

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	30
Midsize Enterprise	12
Large Enterprise	22

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	1

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 is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IIS?

For the pricing, setup cost, and licensing for IIS, as a Microsoft product, I didn't think much about separately purchasing an IIS product as it is part of Microsoft Windows. We bought a developmen...

See all answers

What needs improvement with IIS?

I see that IIS has maintained the same interface for a long time, so they could potentially use more automation or integrate Copilot into it to make it easier to use. I have not accessed or checked...

See all answers

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Comparisons

NGINX Plus vs IIS

Compared 12% of the time

Apache Web Server vs IIS

Compared 11% of the time

Tomcat vs IIS

Compared 8% of the time

Oracle WebLogic Server vs IIS

Compared 6% of the time

Windows Server AppFabric vs IIS

Compared 5% of the time

More IIS Competitors

Mendix vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 9% of the time

OutSystems vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 9% of the time

NGINX Plus vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 7% of the time

WebLogic Suite vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 7% of the time

IBM WebSphere Business Modeler vs Magic xpa Application Platform

Compared 3% of the time

More Magic xpa Application Platform Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IIS

September 2026

Download IIS product report

Buyer's Guide

Magic xpa Application Platform

September 2026

Download Magic xpa Application Platform product report

Also Known As

Windows Server IIS

uniPaaS

Overview

IIS is a web server platform recognized for strong security, high performance, and seamless Windows integration. It offers an intuitive setup, emphasizing resource efficiency, scalability, and robust performance.

Internet Information Services provides a comprehensive solution for hosting and managing web applications. Known for its security and integration capabilities, it features a user-friendly interface that simplifies server management. Its application pool isolation and performance make it highly reliable. However, configuration challenges, lack of detailed documentation, and difficulties in integrating with non-Windows environments are noted. Large-scale deployments sometimes encounter clustering and scalability issues, and improvements are needed in memory management and monitoring tools. Despite these areas for improvement, compatibility with Microsoft products and zero need for separate licensing are convincing benefits for many users.

What features make IIS stand out?

Security Features: Enhances security with single sign-on and SSL support.
Performance: Designed for high efficiency and reliability.
Integration: Seamless compatibility with Windows and Microsoft products.
User Interface: Straightforward setup aids in easy management.
Scalability: Able to efficiently scale with resource demands.

What benefits should be reviewed?

Resource Efficiency: Provides cost-effective resource management.
Scalability: Easily adapts to growing application demands.
No Licensing Cost: Eliminates additional licensing expenses.
Microsoft Integration: Offers seamless use with Microsoft ecosystems.

Organizations employ IIS for a range of applications. These include hosting web applications accessible externally, managing internal projects, and supporting infrastructure such as DNS and DHCP. Companies leverage its database management capabilities, integration with Active Directory, and secure communication via SSL. In fields like healthcare, IIS supports internal information systems and on-premise deployments.

Microsoft

Magic xpa Application Platform is known for its fast development speed and extensive platform support. It efficiently handles database operations and integrates well with systems like Oracle, supporting Windows, Android, and iOS applications.

Magic xpa Application Platform offers rapid development capabilities, robust database connectivity, and versatile platform support. It integrates seamlessly with systems like Oracle, uses in-memory databases efficiently, and offers flexibility in database operations. Updates and deployments are seamless across Windows, Android, and iOS. The platform facilitates web service communication, XML creation, and isolates database logic from application logic, allowing developers to concentrate on program objectives. Despite its outdated interface and expensive licensing, the platform struggles with mobile and web development integration and complex environments.

What are the key features of Magic xpa Application Platform?

Rapid Development: Accelerates application creation.
Robust Connectivity: Integrates with databases like Oracle.
Versatile Support: Compatible with Windows, Android, iOS.
Seamless Deployment: Simplifies update processes.
Web Service Communication: Eases XML and service interactions.

What benefits should users consider when evaluating Magic xpa?

Efficiency: Enhances productivity with fast deployment.
Integration Capabilities: Connects effortlessly with existing systems.
Flexibility: Adapts to multiple operating systems and environments.
Focus: Allows developers to concentrate on main objectives.

In specific industries, Magic xpa Application Platform is utilized for various purposes like IoT support, police and emergency operations management, and ERP development for clients in diverse sectors. Retail billing, document management, HR solutions, healthcare data management, and financial systems leverage its ability to handle complex data exchanges and enable remote access. The platform's expansive application development supports efficient operations in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.

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

September 2026

Free Report: IIS vs. Magic xpa Application Platform

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