Link copied to clipboard # Apache Tomcat vs Payara Server Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/apache-tomcat/payara-server/export.csv) TomcatPayara Server[+ Add Product](#) Reviews **Apache Tomcat** [ 4.5/5(128) ](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-tomcat/reviews#reviews) **Payara Server** [ 4.5/5(84) ](https://www.g2.com/products/payara-server/reviews#reviews) Pricing **Apache Tomcat** No pricing available **Payara Server** Free Trial No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **Apache Tomcat** 2 monthsFaster Based on 7 responses **Payara Server** 5 months Based on 11 responses Return on Investment **Apache Tomcat** 10 months13 months sooner Based on 7 responses **Payara Server** 23 months Based on 7 responses Perceived Cost **Apache Tomcat** $$$$$ **Payara Server** $$$$$ Average Discount **Apache Tomcat** Not enough reviews yet **Payara Server** 6% Pros & Cons **Apache Tomcat** Not enough data **Payara Server** Not enough data Integrations **Apache Tomcat** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_5015a6ccbbe12278ba4392c1c0d806be/ibm-mq.png "Product Avatar Image") IBM MQ ](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-mq/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_dfca9dad2b9b333ff70447e5959cbe4e/internet-information-services-iis-for-windows-server.png "Product Avatar Image") Internet Information... ](https://www.g2.com/products/internet-information-services-iis-for-windows-server/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_82f55e945509bff7b8009e8024cfe73c/oracle-database.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Oracle Database ](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_0eda0307970c9db3cea54f2c0a371777/red-hat-jboss-web-server.jpeg "Product Avatar Image") Red Hat JBoss Web Server ](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-jboss-web-server/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-tomcat/integrations) **Payara Server** Not enough data Screenshots **Apache Tomcat** No screenshot available **Payara Server** ![Payara Server screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/1223409/1sc.PNG) Ratings Meets Requirements **Apache Tomcat** 9.0 9.0108 **Payara Server** 9.0 9.070 Ease of Use **Apache Tomcat** 9.0 9.0108 **Payara Server** 8.7 8.773 Ease of Setup **Apache Tomcat** 8.8 8.845 **Payara Server** 8.8 8.849 Ease of Admin **Apache Tomcat** 7.8 7.835 **Payara Server** 8.9 8.938 Quality of Support **Apache Tomcat** 8.1 8.193 **Payara Server** 8.9 8.959 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **Apache Tomcat** 8.1 8.130 **Payara Server** 8.9 8.934 Product Direction (% positive) **Apache Tomcat** 8.5 8.5103 **Payara Server** 9.0 9.069 Features Application Server[Hide 24 FeaturesShow 24 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.9 17 8.5 51 Data Management Data Redundancy 8.6(won by 0.6) 15 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.0 41 Server Management 9.3(won by 0.5) 15 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.8 48 Version and Profile Support 8.8(won by 0.1) 12 8.7 42 Web-based frameworks 8.8(won by 0.1) 14 8.7 45 Data exchange 8.8(won by 0.2) 12 8.6 40 User Features Centralized offering 8.6(won by 0.1) 14 8.5 44 Security updates 8.6 14 8.9(won by 0.3) 47 Real-time visibility 8.6(tied score) 14 8.6(tied score) 46 Modernization Cloud deployment 9.4(won by 0.9) 13 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.5 41 Microservices development 9.2(won by 0.8) 13 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.4 42 Modular architecture 8.7(won by 0.4) 13 8.3 43 On-premises support 9.1(won by default) 11 Feature Not Available AI Performance Improvement - Application Server AI Application Scaling Not enough data Not enough data AI Error Prediction Not enough data Not enough data Intelligent Resource Forecasting Not enough data Not enough data AI Anomaly Detection Not enough data Not enough data AI Intrusion Detection Not enough data Not enough data Agentic AI - Application Server Autonomous Task Execution Not enough data Not enough data Multi-step Planning Not enough data Not enough data Cross-system Integration Not enough data Not enough data Adaptive Learning Not enough data Not enough data Natural Language Interaction Not enough data Not enough data Proactive Assistance Not enough data Not enough data Decision Making Not enough data Not enough data User Insights Reviewers' Company Size [![Apache Tomcat](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d99c715051d74e27de9fd48624b6561e/apache-tomcat.png "Apache Tomcat")](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-tomcat/reviews) Apache Tomcat Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 20.8% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 36.0% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 43.2% [![Payara Server](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/928b3af3e5affa978d28891c5280c9af/payara-server.svg "Payara Server")](https://www.g2.com/products/payara-server/reviews) Payara Server Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 47.6% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 31.0% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 21.4% Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 20.8% 47.6% Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 36.0% 31.0% Enterprise (\> 1000 emp.) 43.2% 21.4% Reviewers' Industry [![Apache Tomcat](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d99c715051d74e27de9fd48624b6561e/apache-tomcat.png "Apache Tomcat")](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-tomcat/reviews) Apache Tomcat Information Technology and Services 27.2% Computer Software 25.6% Internet 4.8% Higher Education 3.2% Telecommunications 3.2% Other 36.0% [![Payara Server](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/928b3af3e5affa978d28891c5280c9af/payara-server.svg "Payara Server")](https://www.g2.com/products/payara-server/reviews) Payara Server Information Technology and Services 20.2% Computer Software 20.2% Financial Services 3.6% Government Administration 3.6% Apparel & Fashion 3.6% Other 48.8% FAQs ## Tomcat vs Payara Server FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between Tomcat vs Payara Server? Tomcat and Payara Server both score 4.5/5 on G2, but Tomcat is favored for lightweight Java servlet hosting while Payara Server is preferred for robust Jakarta EE and enterprise features. | [Tomcat](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-tomcat/reviews) | [Payara Server](https://www.g2.com/products/payara-server/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.5/5 (129 reviews) | 4.5/5 (84 reviews) | | Enterprise | Small-Business | | 8.8 | 8.8 | | 8.1 | 8.9 | | Lightweight, fast deployment for Java servlets and JSPs | Comprehensive Jakarta EE support, strong security, and robust admin tools | ### How do the pricing models of Tomcat and Payara Server compare? Payara Server is rated higher for value, with a stronger Price/Cost satisfaction score than Tomcat. - **Tomcat:** Reviewers consistently highlight Tomcat's open-source, no-cost model as a major advantage for budget-conscious teams, especially for lightweight Java applications. - **Payara Server:** Reviewers appreciate Payara Server's flexible payment options and enterprise support, noting its suitability for businesses of all sizes and its value in providing robust features and security. ### What are the best alternatives to Tomcat and Payara Server? The top three alternatives to Tomcat and Payara Server are Nginx, Wildfly, and Oracle WebLogic. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Tomcat](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-tomcat/reviews) | 4.5/5 (129 reviews) | Enterprise | Open-source, no-cost | Lightweight, fast deployment for Java servlets and JSPs | | [Payara Server](https://www.g2.com/products/payara-server/reviews) | 4.5/5 (84 reviews) | Small-Business | Flexible payment options, enterprise support | Comprehensive Jakarta EE support, strong security, robust admin tools | | [Nginx](https://www.g2.com/products/f5-nginx/reviews) | 4.6/5 (113 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | High performance and scalability for web serving and reverse proxy | | [Wildfly](https://www.g2.com/products/wildfly/reviews) | 4.4/5 (21 reviews) | — | — | Enterprise Java EE support and flexibility | | [Oracle WebLogic](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-weblogic/reviews) | 4.2/5 (70 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise-grade reliability and scalability | ### Which Application Server features should I prioritize when comparing Tomcat and Payara Server? Buyers comparing Tomcat and Payara Server should prioritize security, administration tools, Jakarta EE support, scalability, and integration capabilities. - **Security:** Payara Server is frequently cited for strong security features and secure data transmission; Tomcat reviewers note the need for manual security hardening. - **Administration Tools:** Payara Server scores 8.9 on Ease of Admin, while Tomcat scores 7.8, reflecting Payara's more robust admin console and management features. - **Jakarta EE Support:** Payara Server is highlighted for full Jakarta EE and MicroProfile compliance; Tomcat is focused on Java servlets and JSPs. - **Scalability:** Payara Server is praised for horizontal and vertical scalability, supporting high-traffic enterprise workloads; Tomcat is favored for lightweight, smaller-scale deployments. - **Integration Capabilities:** Both products integrate with popular IDEs and tools, but Payara Server is noted for broader framework and tool compatibility in recent reviews. ### What are the pros and cons of Tomcat vs Payara Server? Tomcat's headline strength is lightweight, fast Java servlet hosting, while Payara Server excels in comprehensive Jakarta EE support and robust security. - **Tomcat strengths:** Lightweight and fast deployment, open-source and free, strong community support, easy integration with IDEs, low infrastructure requirements. - **Tomcat trade-offs:** Limited to Java servlets and JSPs, manual configuration required, less robust admin UI, security hardening needed, not ideal for large-scale or enterprise Java EE applications. - **Payara Server strengths:** Full Jakarta EE and MicroProfile support, strong security features, robust admin console, regular updates, scalable for enterprise workloads, flexible payment options, excellent support. - **Payara Server trade-offs:** Higher resource requirements, more complex setup for less experienced users, some features limited to enterprise edition, documentation can be less user-friendly for beginners. ### Is Tomcat or Payara Server better for small businesses? Payara Server is the better fit for small businesses, as it is most popular in the Small-Business segment and praised for its flexible payment options and ease of use. - **Tomcat:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers highlight its no-cost, open-source model and suitability for lightweight Java applications, but it is less frequently cited as the top choice for small businesses. - **Payara Server:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers consistently mention its ease of setup, flexible payment options, and robust support as advantages for small business environments. ### Which Application Server platform has better integrations? Reviewers rate Tomcat and Payara Server at parity for integrations, with both products supporting integration with major IDEs and development tools. - **Tomcat:** Reviewers mention integration with Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA for Java development and deployment. - **Payara Server:** Reviewers cite integration with Maven, IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and Docker, as well as compatibility with Jakarta EE and MicroProfile frameworks. ### How do Tomcat and Payara Server compare on customer support? Payara Server is rated higher for Quality of Support, with a 0.8-point advantage over Tomcat (8.9 vs 8.1). - **Tomcat:** Reviewers describe community-driven support, extensive online resources, and active forums, but note limited official support and the need for self-troubleshooting. - **Payara Server:** Reviewers consistently praise Payara Server's expert support team, fast response times, and comprehensive enterprise support options, with many citing positive experiences with both community and paid support. ### Which is easier to implement, Tomcat or Payara Server? Tomcat and Payara Server score equally on Ease of Setup (8.8 each), indicating parity in implementation experience. - **Tomcat:** Reviewers highlight straightforward installation, quick deployment, and easy integration with development environments, though manual configuration is sometimes required. - **Payara Server:** Reviewers note simple setup and deployment, intuitive admin console, and helpful documentation, with some mentioning a learning curve for advanced features. Alternatives **Apache Tomcat Alternatives** ![F5 NGINX](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/62010ad6d5b954f5a6a5bdaf40a5d2b7/f5-nginx.svg "F5 NGINX") [ Nginx ](/products/f5-nginx/reviews) ![Oracle WebLogic](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/806b35e0628d77038e9c968f2eb7bdd2/oracle-weblogic.svg "Oracle WebLogic") [ Oracle WebLogic ](/products/oracle-weblogic/reviews) ![Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0957250e66d0bd9ef389ec04088ec094/red-hat-jboss-enterprise-application-platform.png "Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform") [ Red Hat JBoss ](/products/red-hat-jboss-enterprise-application-platform/reviews) ![Wildfly](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_bb61bd1ff061d1c5163b1db99b08b3fd/wildfly.png "Wildfly") [ Wildfly ](/products/wildfly/reviews) **Payara Server Alternatives** ![Wildfly](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_bb61bd1ff061d1c5163b1db99b08b3fd/wildfly.png "Wildfly") [ Wildfly ](/products/wildfly/reviews) ![Oracle WebLogic](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/806b35e0628d77038e9c968f2eb7bdd2/oracle-weblogic.svg "Oracle WebLogic") [ Oracle WebLogic ](/products/oracle-weblogic/reviews) ![F5 NGINX](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/62010ad6d5b954f5a6a5bdaf40a5d2b7/f5-nginx.svg "F5 NGINX") [ Nginx ](/products/f5-nginx/reviews) ![Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0957250e66d0bd9ef389ec04088ec094/red-hat-jboss-enterprise-application-platform.png "Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform") [ Red Hat JBoss ](/products/red-hat-jboss-enterprise-application-platform/reviews) ## Apache Tomcat vs Payara Server When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found Apache Tomcat easier to use. However, reviewers felt that Payara Server was easier to administer and do business with overall. Finally, reviewers felt that the products are equally easy to set up. - Apache Tomcat and Payara Server both meet the requirements of our reviewers at a comparable rate. - When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Payara Server is the preferred option. - For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Payara Server over Apache Tomcat.