Developer Tools·Standings

Compare Application Servers

Application servers run application software and connect it to the operating system and deployment setup it needs; compare platform support and Java standard first.

The board shows a signal score out of 10, plus marks for a public API, open-source code and a free tier. Check the listed comparison fields—such as clustering, container support and admin console—to see what fits your environment.

  • 28 platforms
  • 11 with a free tier
  • Checked 23 Sept 2026
  1. 1
    PP
    Parse Platformparseplatform.org

    A platform for app data that runs on Node.js servers and connects through a REST API to MongoDB or PostgreSQL.

    6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier
  2. 2
    AP
    Azul Payara Serverazul.com

    A paid Jakarta EE 11 server for Linux, macOS, Windows, web, and self-hosted deployments.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
  3. 3
    LS
    Lucee Serverlucee.org

    Lucee is a lightweight dynamic CFML scripting language and server.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
  4. 4
    OL
    Open Libertyopenliberty.io

    A free open framework for cloud-native Java microservices supporting MicroProfile and Jakarta EE features.

    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier
  5. 5
    G
    Gunicorngunicorn.org

    Free Python HTTP server using pre-fork workers to handle traffic spikes.

    6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
  6. 6
    PP
    Phusion Passengerphusionpassenger.com

    An application server that manages web apps and integrates with NGINX or Apache.

    6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $23.52/yr
  7. 7
    EG
    Eclipse GlassFishglassfish.org

    Eclipse GlassFish is an open-source application server that implements the Jakarta EE platform.

    6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
  8. 8
    AT
    Apache TomEEtomee.apache.org

    Apache TomEE is a Jakarta EE application server that extends Apache Tomcat by adding enterprise features.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier
  9. 9
    M
    MAMPmamp.info

    A free local website server environment for macOS and Windows with Apache, Nginx, PHP, and MySQL.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier
  10. 10
    OW
    Oracle WebCenter Contentoracle.com

    Oracle WebCenter Content is an enterprise document-management and imaging platform for managing document images through transactional business processes.

    5.9 APIOpenFree $3,450 one-time
  11. 11
    W
    WildFlywildfly.org

    WildFly is a flexible, lightweight, managed application runtime for building applications.

    5.8 APIOpenFree Free tier
  12. 12
    PA
    Progress Application Server for OpenEdgeprogress.com

    PAS for OpenEdge is an Apache Tomcat web server extended to support OpenEdge and ABL applications.

    5.5 APIOpenFree —
  13. 13
    NW
    NEC WebOTX Application Servernec.com

    WebOTX Application Server is middleware for stable operation of Java EE based business systems.

    5.5 APIOpenFree —
  14. 14
    RH
    Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platformredhat.com

    JBoss EAP is an application server and middleware platform for building, deploying, and running enterprise Java applications.

    5.4 APIOpenFree From $8,800/yr
  15. 15
    SE
    SAP Extended Enterprise Content Management by OpenTextsap.com

    Connects emails, documents, and other content to core business processes for document and records management, information retrieval, and collaboration.

    5.4 APIOpenFree —
  16. 16
    TA
    TongWeb Application Servertongtech.com

    An enterprise Java server with web, EJB, and RMI containers and support for common frameworks.

    5.2 APIOpenFree —
  17. 17
    AA
    Apusic Application Serverapusic.com

    A paid enterprise server supporting Jakarta EE, Web, EJB, WebService, WebSocket, and HTTP/2.

    5.2 APIOpenFree —
  18. 18
    AC
    5.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
  19. 19
    TC
    TNS Communication Application Servercommunications.tnsi.com

    A communications platform for service providers, combining network migration, charging, and fraud protection.

    5.0 APIOpenFree —
  20. 20
    FS
    Fujitsu Software Enterprise Application Platformglobal.fujitsu

    A paid cloud-native platform with Jakarta EE, MicroProfile, OpenJDK, clusters, and container images.

    4.8 APIOpenFree —
  21. 21
    J
    JEUStmaxsoft.com

    JEUS is a Web Application Server that provides services for web environments and supports Jakarta EE 8 Full Spec.

    4.7 APIOpenFree —
  22. 22
    IW
    IBM WebSphere Libertyibm.com

    A paid Java server for Linux, macOS, and Windows with clustering and flexible deployment options.

    4.4 APIOpenFree —
  23. 23
    A
    AliEEhelp.aliyun.com
    4.3 APIOpenFree —
  24. 24
    ID
    IBM Dominoibm.com

    A paid application server for Linux, Windows, and web deployments with clustering and containers.

    4.3 APIOpenFree —
  25. 25
    OW
    4.2 APIOpenFree —

Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this board are open to sponsors. Take #1 · Other ways to advertise

How to choose

Which platforms does it need to run on?

Match supported operating systems and deployment model to your setup. The board covers Linux, Windows, macOS, web and self-hosted options; platform support varies by product.

Does it need to support a Java standard?

Compare the Java standard field if your application depends on a particular standard. The board includes this as a comparison point, so check the product details before choosing.

What administration and deployment features matter?

Use the clustering, admin console and container support fields to narrow options for operating and deploying applications. Confirm that the listed capabilities match the way your team manages its environment.

Can I try it or use a free plan?

Check the free-plan and paid-from details before budgeting. A free plan differs from a free trial, and some products list pricing on request rather than a starting price.

Does it offer an API or open-source code?

Check the API and open-source marks if you need a public way to connect or inspect the software. The board includes those marks; confirm the relevant terms and capabilities with the product.

Questions

What is an application server used for?

An application server runs application software and provides the environment it needs, including its deployment setup and operating system.

How do I choose an application server?

Compare supported platforms, Java standard, deployment model, clustering, admin console and container support against your existing environment.

Are there free application servers?

The board marks whether a product has a free plan. Some products are listed as free, while others may offer a free trial or have paid pricing.

What does self-hosted mean for an application server?

Self-hosted means you run the software in an environment you manage, rather than relying on a hosted web option.

Do application servers have public APIs or open-source code?

The board includes marks for a public API and open-source code. Check those marks and the product details to confirm what is available.

Some top positions on this board can be paid placements, standing where they were sold. The facts on each platform are not for sale. How we rank · Disclosure