Windows Server AppFabric vs Zend PHP Engine comparison

Microsoft and Zend are both solutions in the Application Infrastructure category. Microsoft is ranked #13 with an average rating of 8.7, while Zend is ranked #15 with an average rating of 7.5. Microsoft holds a 2.2% mindshare in AIS, compared to Zend’s 1.7% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Zend users who would recommend it.

Windows Server AppFabric

Read 5 Windows Server AppFabric reviews

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552 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Zend PHP Engine

Read 11 Zend PHP Engine reviews

496 Views
496 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Windows Server AppFabric

Zend PHP Engine

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 5, 2025

Zend PHP Engine and Windows Server AppFabric compete in the field of software development and integration. Windows Server AppFabric seems to have the upper hand due to its superior features and integration capabilities.

Features: Zend PHP Engine offers PHP acceleration, code protection, and a fully-featured PHP stack optimized for performance and scalability. Windows Server AppFabric provides advanced caching, session state management, and comprehensive application hosting support, making it particularly beneficial for Microsoft technologies.

Room for Improvement: Zend PHP Engine could enhance its integration with non-PHP languages, offer better documentation, and improve scalability for enterprise-level applications. Windows Server AppFabric can improve by supporting cross-platform deployment, enhancing flexibility for non-Microsoft tech, and offering more competitive pricing models.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Zend PHP Engine is straightforward to deploy on various platforms with a strong support system. Windows Server AppFabric's deployment is optimized for Microsoft environments, offering seamless integration and extensive Microsoft support, making it preferable for those heavily invested in Microsoft technologies.

Pricing and ROI: Zend PHP Engine presents a more affordable setup cost with a straightforward pricing model and strong potential for ROI in web development environments. Windows Server AppFabric, while potentially higher in initial costs, provides a greater ROI in environments utilizing the Microsoft stack due to its comprehensive feature set and integration capabilities.

To learn more, read our detailed Windows Server AppFabric vs. Zend PHP Engine Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Windows Server AppFabric vs. Zend PHP Engine

December 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

Windows Server AppFabric

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

13th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Zend PHP Engine

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

15th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Application Infrastructure category, the mindshare of Windows Server AppFabric is 2.2%, up from 0.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zend PHP Engine is 1.7%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Infrastructure Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Windows Server AppFabric	2.2%
Zend PHP Engine	1.7%
Other	96.1%

Application Infrastructure

Featured Reviews

Dennis Ndegwa

Senior System Administrator at Kentainers

Improved on-premise performance has supported faster, secure apps and clearer server monitoring

One thing I appreciate most about Windows Server AppFabric is because it's widely used; it's easier to get solutions online from other communities when I am stuck. Because it is widely used, it's easier to get solutions and also easier to work with. Especially after I found 2019, I have worked with 2019 and I appreciate it. It's easier to get solutions. After implementing Windows Server AppFabric, I can say I love the speed. The functionality and speed are good. Earlier, when they added more people, I could see some lagging. But now, I have no issue even if I double the users, even if I add 30% of users or any applications, it will still be fast. It increased the speed and also security. I've noticed the new one I have is good and secure. I love the security. The monitoring capabilities of Windows Server AppFabric help me improve service visibility and troubleshooting. In a day, I have to go through a lot of the logs and also the utilization. There, I see the CPU. I have to do the utilization, and I can see what is utilizing the most. By doing this, I can be able to tell what, in case I need to do an upgrade, what I might need to provide the upgrade or maybe increase in users that will not affect the operations.

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SatyendraGupta

External Consultant (Digital Tool Developer and Intervention Specialist) at IQVIA

The fact that it is available open-source is the best feature

The fact that it is available open-source is the best feature. A general scripting language should be further developed and should be embedded into it. I have been Zend PHP Engine for nine years. Multiple people are using the solution. Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The ability to seamlessly deploy, image, and patch without causing downtime is extremely helpful and user-friendly."

"It is very usable and easy to understand. Antivirus and VPN are the main features being used now. It allows my clients to access the network from home, which was very crucial because of the pandemic."

"The product's deployment phase was very easy."

"The most valuable feature is AppFabric's hosting solution, which is what we need for running workflows."

"After implementing Windows Server AppFabric, I can say I love the speed."

"Zend Engine is the core of PHP. It makes PHP fast, efficient, and basically, the language of choice for web applications."

"The Zend Framework provides an easy, open source way to produce coding based on the needs of our customers."

"Faster web app implementation, when PHP dev is required by customers."

"Zend PHP Engine is more secure than any other framework, and I usually prefer Zend PHP Engine for big applications."

"Zend PHP Engine is a good tool for developing and collecting data, offering strong performance."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is the speed at which it compiles and sends the dynamic cache."

"The solution's initial setup process is easy."

"Zend Engine gives the flexibility to use external modules to easily expand the functionalities you need for your web project."

More Zend PHP Engine pros

Cons

"Microsoft will stop supporting the product next year, and we can't run unsupported programs in our systems."

"Its price and licensing policy can be improved. It could be a little cheaper. Licensing is sometimes confusing. There are so many different options. It is difficult to find out what to buy or what to choose for my necessity."

"The product is unable to connect with different cloud services."

"The most important issue I've found is the blue screen errors, particularly when customers use external displays with a P-type cable."

"Zend PHP Engine needs to improve the loading time of its libraries and make it faster."

"Integration of MVC with ORM tools for PHP is okay, but lacking a short list of decent ORM tools for PHP to choose from; there is ample room for improvement in both areas."

"The process of installing and configuring the product is a bit complex and could be improved."

"The biggest problem with PHP is you have to write lot of conditions or have to use a framework."

"In terms of improvement, it doesn't support concurrent processing. When we want to process anything on a concurrent basis, we have to divide it into a number of things, like a queue, or we have to run it using Cron jobs. We would like to have the capability to run any thread or process in parallel."

"Its object oriented programming language needs improvement."

"Integrating AI tools would make PHP more competitive, as other tools already have AI features."

"SQL queries have always been an issue with PHP, especially if you use large tables, which require caution from the side of the developer."

More Zend PHP Engine cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product is affordable, in my opinion."

"It is expensive, and its licensing is a bit confusing."

"The Zend PHP engine is open source technology, so there's no need for us to worry about licensing or other costs."

"The solution is open source and you just pay for the server cost."

"Its pricing depends on the number of users."

"Zend PHP Engine is not an expensive solution."

"No problem with pricing and licensing, as tools are open source. You have to consider training cost, mindset setup cost, as part of the TCO."

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Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Windows Server AppFabric?

The product's deployment phase was very easy.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Windows Server AppFabric?

I am overall satisfied with the licensing cost of Windows Server AppFabric. It's a reasonable price because I run multiple servers, so we bought the bulk one. I can say the price was fair.

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What needs improvement with Windows Server AppFabric?

I do not utilize Windows Server AppFabric's workflow management for now because that's a project that we might be looking at in the coming year, in the first or second quarter.

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What do you like most about Zend PHP Engine?

The fact that it is available open-source is the best feature.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Zend PHP Engine?

PHP is an open-source solution.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Zend PHP Engine?

Integrating AI tools would make PHP more competitive, as other tools already have AI features.

See all answers

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Application Infrastructure

January 2026

Download Windows Server AppFabric product report

Buyer's Guide

Application Infrastructure

January 2026

Download Zend PHP Engine product report

Also Known As

No data available

PHP Engine

Overview

Windows Server AppFabric extends Windows Server to provide enhanced hosting, management, and caching capabilities for Web applications and middle-tier services. The AppFabric hosting features add service management extensions to Internet Information Services (IIS), Windows Process Activation Service (WAS), and the .NET Framework 4. This includes Hosting Services and Hosting Administration tools that make it easier to deploy, configure, and manage Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) and Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) based services. The AppFabric caching features add a distributed, in-memory object cache to Windows Server that makes it easier to scale out high-performance .NET applications, especially ASP.NET applications.

Microsoft

The Zend PHP Engine is designed to optimize PHP code and improve performance, making it a popular choice for web developers. It is easy to use, stable, does not require a lot of code, is open source, and only requires payment for server costs. The initial setup is straightforward, and there is no real need to set up the solution because it's built into the deployment.

Zend

Sample Customers

OSIsoft

Cisco

Buyer's Guide

Windows Server AppFabric vs. Zend PHP Engine

December 2025

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