Link copied to clipboard

# Apache Axis2 vs Apache CXF Comparison - What are their main differences?

Share
[
Export
](/compare/apache-axis2/apache-cxf/export.csv)

Apache Axis2Apache CXF[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**Apache Axis2** [

4.1/5(15)

](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-axis2/reviews#reviews)

**Apache CXF** [

3.9/5(13)

](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-cxf/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**Apache Axis2**
No pricing available

**Apache CXF**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Pros & Cons

**Apache Axis2**
Not enough data

**Apache CXF**
Not enough data

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**Apache Axis2**

8.8

8.811

**Apache CXF**

7.8

7.86

Ease of Use

**Apache Axis2**

8.5

8.511

**Apache CXF**

6.4

6.46

Ease of Setup

**Apache Axis2**
Not enough data

**Apache CXF**
Not enough data

Ease of Admin

**Apache Axis2**
Not enough data

**Apache CXF**
Not enough data

Quality of Support

**Apache Axis2**

6.9

6.99

**Apache CXF**

7.7

7.75

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Apache Axis2**
Not enough data

**Apache CXF**
Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**Apache Axis2**

6.8

6.811

**Apache CXF**

4.2

4.26

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![Apache Axis2](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b350900e1c1cde239f398145fc13d8f3/apache-axis2.jpg "Apache Axis2")](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-axis2/reviews)

Apache Axis2

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

41.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

8.3%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

50.0%

[![Apache CXF](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b350900e1c1cde239f398145fc13d8f3/apache-cxf.jpg "Apache CXF")](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-cxf/reviews)

Apache CXF

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

45.5%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

36.4%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

18.2%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

41.7%

45.5%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

8.3%

36.4%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

50.0%

18.2%

Reviewers' Industry

[![Apache Axis2](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b350900e1c1cde239f398145fc13d8f3/apache-axis2.jpg "Apache Axis2")](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-axis2/reviews)
Apache Axis2

Information Technology and Services

33.3%

Computer Software

25.0%

Real Estate

8.3%

Insurance

8.3%

Financial Services

8.3%

Other

16.7%

[![Apache CXF](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b350900e1c1cde239f398145fc13d8f3/apache-cxf.jpg "Apache CXF")](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-cxf/reviews)
Apache CXF

Information Technology and Services

45.5%

Computer Software

18.2%

Management Consulting

9.1%

Internet

9.1%

Information Services

9.1%

Other

9.1%

FAQs

## Apache Axis2 vs Apache CXF FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between Apache Axis2 vs Apache CXF?

Apache Axis2 stands out for its higher Ease of Use and Meets Requirements scores, while Apache CXF is rated higher for Quality of Support.

| [Apache Axis2](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-axis2/reviews) | [Apache CXF](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-cxf/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.1/5 (15 reviews) | 3.9/5 (13 reviews) |
| Ease of Setup: 7.0 | Ease of Setup: 3.0 |
| Quality of Support: 6.9 | Quality of Support: 7.7 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength: Flexible, efficient architecture with hot deployment and strong SOAP/REST support | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength: Extensive SOAP support, dynamic client proxy generation, and strong integration with JAX-WS/JAX-RS |

### How do the pricing models of Apache Axis2 and Apache CXF compare?

Apache CXF is rated higher for value with a stronger Quality of Support score, while Apache Axis2 receives positive feedback for its open-source cost structure.

- **Apache Axis2:** Reviewers highlight that Axis2 is open source and cost-free to use, making it attractive for organizations seeking a no-cost solution.
- **Apache CXF:** Reviewers note that CXF is also open source and incurs no usage cost, with positive sentiment around its value for legacy SOAP applications.

### What are the best alternatives to Apache Axis2 and Apache CXF?

The top three alternatives to Apache Axis2 and Apache CXF are IHP, gSOAP, and Ruby on Rails.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Apache Axis2](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-axis2/reviews) | 4.1/5 (15 reviews) | — | Open source, no cost | Flexible, efficient architecture with hot deployment and strong SOAP/REST support |
| [Apache CXF](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-cxf/reviews) | 3.9/5 (13 reviews) | — | Open source, no cost | Extensive SOAP support, dynamic client proxy generation, and strong integration with JAX-WS/JAX-RS |
| [IHP](https://www.g2.com/products/ihp/reviews) | 4.5/5 (211 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — |
| [gSOAP](https://www.g2.com/products/gsoap/reviews) | 4.1/5 (11 reviews) | — | — | — |
| [Ruby on Rails](https://www.g2.com/products/ruby-on-rails/reviews) | 4.5/5 (83 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — |

### Which Other Web Frameworks features should I prioritize when comparing Apache Axis2 and Apache CXF?

Buyers comparing Apache Axis2 and Apache CXF should prioritize Ease of Use, Quality of Support, Meets Requirements, SOAP/REST support, and deployment flexibility.

- **Ease of Use:** Apache Axis2 scores 8.5, Apache CXF scores 6.4.
- **Quality of Support:** Apache Axis2 scores 6.9, Apache CXF scores 7.7.
- **Meets Requirements:** Apache Axis2 scores 8.8, Apache CXF scores 7.8.
- **SOAP/REST support:** Reviewers highlight Axis2 for strong SOAP and REST support, while CXF is noted for extensive SOAP support and integration with JAX-WS/JAX-RS.
- **Deployment flexibility:** Axis2 is praised for hot deployment and modularity, while CXF is recognized for dynamic client proxy generation and interceptor support.

### What are the pros and cons of Apache Axis2 vs Apache CXF?

Apache Axis2's headline strength is its flexible, efficient architecture and ease of use, while Apache CXF excels in support and dynamic integration features.

- **Apache Axis2 strengths:** Flexible and efficient architecture, hot deployment, strong SOAP and REST support, modularity, and ease of generating stubs from WSDL.
- **Apache Axis2 trade-offs:** Smaller community, less documentation, higher complexity for troubleshooting, and less suitability for lightweight requirements.
- **Apache CXF strengths:** Extensive SOAP support, dynamic client proxy generation, strong integration with JAX-WS/JAX-RS, and robust interceptor and plugin capabilities.
- **Apache CXF trade-offs:** Complex configuration, higher learning curve for beginners, and less support for REST APIs compared to SOAP.

### Is Apache Axis2 or Apache CXF better for small businesses?

Apache Axis2 is the better fit for small businesses based on its higher Ease of Use and Meets Requirements scores.

- **Apache Axis2:** Reviewers highlight ease of use, fast setup, and suitability for connecting legacy systems, which are valued by small businesses.
- **Apache CXF:** Reviewers note a higher learning curve and more complex configuration, which may be less ideal for small business environments.

### Which Other Web Frameworks platform has better integrations?

Apache CXF and Apache Axis2 are at parity for integrations, as neither product has recent reviewer-cited integration mentions.

- **Apache Axis2:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.
- **Apache CXF:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.

### How do Apache Axis2 and Apache CXF compare on customer support?

Apache CXF is rated higher for Quality of Support, with a 0.8-point advantage over Apache Axis2 (7.7 vs 6.9).

- **Apache Axis2:** Reviewers mention that support is available but note a smaller community and less documentation, which can make troubleshooting more challenging.
- **Apache CXF:** Reviewers highlight strong support, robust community engagement, and positive experiences with support for SOAP and integration features.

### Which is easier to implement, Apache Axis2 or Apache CXF?

Apache Axis2 is easier to implement, with a significantly higher Ease of Setup score (7.0 vs 3.0 for Apache CXF).

- **Apache Axis2:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward, with easy library inclusion and stub generation from WSDL, and a generally fast development process.
- **Apache CXF:** Reviewers report that configuration is complex, with a higher learning curve and more time required for initial setup, especially without IDE integration.

Alternatives

**Apache Axis2 Alternatives**

 ![IHP](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a413dec3607ff3e613ecd8d4aa45e80f/ihp.svg "IHP")

[
IHP
](/products/ihp/reviews)

 ![gSOAP](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_8ffe1c472314b4027064b20081bf6634/gsoap.png "gSOAP")

[
gSOAP
](/products/gsoap/reviews)

 ![Ruby on Rails](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_10e24e60adf1cea0d13cea08a31426ad/ruby-on-rails.png "Ruby on Rails")

[
Ruby on Rails
](/products/ruby-on-rails/reviews)

 ![ASP.NET](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3e93db37ce0af71d86cf0b4b0e8b89ab/asp-net.png "ASP.NET")

[
ASP.NET
](/products/asp-net/reviews)

**Apache CXF Alternatives**

 ![IHP](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a413dec3607ff3e613ecd8d4aa45e80f/ihp.svg "IHP")

[
IHP
](/products/ihp/reviews)

 ![Ruby on Rails](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_10e24e60adf1cea0d13cea08a31426ad/ruby-on-rails.png "Ruby on Rails")

[
Ruby on Rails
](/products/ruby-on-rails/reviews)

 ![ASP.NET](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3e93db37ce0af71d86cf0b4b0e8b89ab/asp-net.png "ASP.NET")

[
ASP.NET
](/products/asp-net/reviews)

 ![Netty](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_63ed9db0324e4538d5d510072e0db9d6/netty.png "Netty")

[
Netty
](/products/netty/reviews)

## Apache Axis2 vs Apache CXF

- Reviewers felt that Apache Axis2 meets the needs of their business better than Apache CXF.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Apache CXF is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Apache Axis2 over Apache CXF.