5 Most Popular Java Application Servers for 2024

August 1, 2024

Hey there, Java enthusiasts and tech aficionados! Are you ready to dive into the world of Java application servers? Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting your journey in the Java ecosystem, understanding the landscape of application servers is crucial for building robust, scalable, and efficient applications. In this blog post, we’re going to explore the five most popular Java application servers that are making waves in 2024. So, grab your favorite caffeinated beverage, get comfy, and let’s embark on this exciting journey together!

What Are Java Application Servers and Why Do They Matter?

Before we jump into our top five list, let’s take a moment to understand what Java application servers are and why they’re so important in the world of enterprise application development.

What is a Java Application Server?

A Java application server is a software framework that provides a runtime environment for Java-based applications. It’s like a cozy home for your Java applications, offering them all the amenities they need to run smoothly and efficiently. These servers handle various aspects of application deployment, execution, and management, allowing developers to focus on writing business logic rather than worrying about low-level infrastructure details.

Why Are They Important?

Java application servers play a crucial role in enterprise application development for several reasons. First, they provide a standardized environment for deploying and running Java applications, ensuring consistency across different platforms. Second, they offer built-in support for essential enterprise features like security, transaction management, and resource pooling. Third, they enable scalability and high availability, which are critical for modern, high-traffic applications. Lastly, they simplify the development process by handling many complex infrastructure tasks, allowing developers to focus on creating value-adding features.

Now that we’ve set the stage let’s dive into our list of the top 5 Java application servers that are dominating the landscape in 2024!

1. Apache Tomcat: The Lightweight Champion

Our first contender in the ring is the ever-popular Apache Tomcat. Known for its lightweight nature and ease of use, Tomcat has been a favorite among developers for years, and its popularity shows no signs of waning in 2024.

Key Features:

Open-source and free to use
Lightweight and fast
Easy to set up and configure
Excellent documentation and community support
Supports Servlet, JavaServer Pages (JSP), and WebSocket technologies

Apache Tomcat shines in scenarios where you need a simple, no-frills server to run your Java web applications. It’s particularly well-suited for smaller to medium-sized projects that don’t require the full suite of Java EE features. Many developers appreciate Tomcat for its simplicity and the fact that it doesn’t consume excessive resources, making it an excellent choice for microservices architectures.

Let’s take a look at how easy it is to set up a basic “Hello, World!” servlet using Tomcat:

import java.io.*;
import javax.servlet.*;
import javax.servlet.http.*;

public class HelloWorldServlet extends HttpServlet {
    public void doGet(HttpServletRequest request, HttpServletResponse response)
    throws ServletException, IOException {
        response.setContentType("text/html");
        PrintWriter out = response.getWriter();
        out.println("<html><body>");
        out.println("<h1>Hello, World!</h1>");
        out.println("</body></html>");
    }
}

To deploy this servlet, you’d simply need to compile it, package it in a WAR file, and drop it into Tomcat’s webapps directory. It’s that straightforward!

Tomcat in 2024:

In 2024, Tomcat continues to evolve, with version 10.x bringing improved performance, better security features, and enhanced support for the latest Java specifications. Its lightweight nature makes it an excellent choice for containerized deployments, perfectly aligning with the growing trend of cloud-native applications.

However, it’s worth noting that while Tomcat is fantastic for many use cases, it doesn’t provide the full Java EE (now Jakarta EE) stack out of the box. If you need features like Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) or Java Message Service (JMS), you might need to look at some of the other options on our list.

2. WildFly: The Full-Featured Powerhouse

Next up on our list is WildFly, formerly known as JBoss Application Server. WildFly is an impressive, feature-rich application server that has been gaining significant traction in recent years, and its popularity continues to soar in 2024.

Key Features:

Open-source and community-driven
Full Java EE / Jakarta EE compliance
Modular architecture for flexibility
Excellent performance and scalability
Built-in clustering and load balancing capabilities
Comprehensive management console

WildFly is the go-to choice for developers who need a robust, full-featured application server capable of handling complex enterprise applications. It’s particularly well-suited for large-scale projects that require advanced features like distributed caching, messaging, and transaction management.

One of the standout features of WildFly is its modular architecture. This design allows you to only load the services you need, resulting in faster startup times and reduced memory footprint. Let’s take a look at how you can take advantage of this modularity in your deployments:

<server xmlns="urn:jboss:domain:15.0">
    <profile>
        <subsystem xmlns="urn:jboss:domain:logging:8.0">
            <!-- Logging configuration -->
        </subsystem>
        <subsystem xmlns="urn:jboss:domain:datasources:6.0">
            <!-- Datasource configuration -->
        </subsystem>
        <subsystem xmlns="urn:jboss:domain:ee:6.0">
            <!-- EE subsystem configuration -->
        </subsystem>
        <!-- Add or remove subsystems as needed -->
    </profile>
</server>

In this example, we’re configuring a WildFly server with just the logging, datasources, and EE subsystems. You can easily add or remove subsystems based on your application’s needs, ensuring you’re not wasting resources on unused features.

WildFly in 2024:

As we move through 2024, WildFly continues to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of enterprise Java development. The latest versions offer improved cloud-native capabilities, better support for reactive programming models, and enhanced security features. WildFly’s commitment to staying current with the latest Jakarta EE specifications ensures that developers have access to the most up-to-date Java enterprise features.

One area where WildFly really shines in 2024 is its support for microservices architectures. With features like WildFly Swarm (now known as Thorntail), developers can create lightweight, self-contained microservices that include just the server runtime components they need. This aligns perfectly with the trend towards more modular, scalable application architectures.

3. Eclipse GlassFish: The Open-Source Standard Bearer

Moving on to our third contender, we have Eclipse GlassFish. As the reference implementation of the Jakarta EE platform, GlassFish holds a special place in the Java application server ecosystem. In 2024, it continues to be a popular choice for developers who want a standards-compliant, feature-rich application server.

Key Features:

Open-source and community-driven
Full Jakarta EE compliance
Modular architecture
Excellent development and debugging tools
Built-in load balancing and clustering
Comprehensive administration console

GlassFish is an excellent choice for developers who want to ensure their applications are built on a platform that strictly adheres to Jakarta EE standards. It’s particularly well-suited for projects that need to leverage the full spectrum of enterprise Java technologies, from servlets and JSP to more advanced features like EJB and JMS.

One of the strengths of GlassFish is its comprehensive set of development and debugging tools. Let’s take a look at how you can use the GlassFish Admin Console to deploy and manage your applications:

Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:4848
Log in with your admin credentials
Click on “Applications” in the left-hand menu
Click “Deploy” to upload and deploy your application WAR file
Configure your application settings and click “OK” to finish the deployment

This graphical interface makes it easy to manage your applications, monitor performance, and configure server settings without having to dig into configuration files.

For those who prefer command-line operations, GlassFish also provides the asadmin tool. Here’s an example of how you can deploy an application using asadmin:

./asadmin deploy /path/to/your-application.war

GlassFish in 2024:

In 2024, GlassFish continues to evolve alongside the Jakarta EE specification. The latest versions offer improved performance, better support for cloud deployments, and enhanced security features. One area where GlassFish has made significant strides is in its support for reactive programming models, aligning with the industry trend towards more responsive and resilient applications.

Let’s take a look at a simple example of how you can leverage reactive programming in GlassFish using the new Jakarta Concurrency API:

@Singleton
public class ReactiveService {
    @Inject
    private ManagedExecutorService executorService;

    public CompletionStage<String> processDataReactively(String input) {
        return CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(() -> {
            // Simulate some time-consuming operation
            try {
                Thread.sleep(1000);
            } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                Thread.currentThread().interrupt();
            }
            return input.toUpperCase();
        }, executorService);
    }
}

In this example, we’re using the ManagedExecutorService to perform asynchronous operations, allowing our application to handle more concurrent requests efficiently.

While GlassFish might not be as lightweight as Tomcat or as feature-rich as WildFly, its strict adherence to standards and excellent tooling make it a solid choice for many enterprise Java projects in 2024.

4. IBM WebSphere Liberty: The Cloud-Ready Contender

Our fourth contender in the Java application server arena is IBM WebSphere Liberty. As we navigate through 2024, Liberty continues to gain popularity, especially among enterprises looking for a flexible, cloud-ready application server that can handle both traditional and modern application architectures.

Key Features:

Modular, lightweight architecture
Excellent support for microservices and cloud-native applications
Fast startup times and low memory footprint
Comprehensive DevOps tooling
Strong security features
Commercial support available from IBM

WebSphere Liberty shines in scenarios where you need the robustness of a full-featured application server but with the agility to deploy in cloud and container environments. It’s particularly well-suited for organizations that are transitioning from monolithic applications to microservices architectures, as it can comfortably handle both.

One of the standout features of Liberty is its modular architecture, which allows you to only include the features you need, resulting in a lean, efficient server. Let’s take a look at how you can configure a Liberty server with just the features you need:

<server description="Sample Liberty server">
    <featureManager>
        <feature>servlet-4.0</feature>
        <feature>jsp-2.3</feature>
        <feature>jaxrs-2.1</feature>
        <feature>cdi-2.0</feature>
        <feature>jpa-2.2</feature>
    </featureManager>

    <httpEndpoint id="defaultHttpEndpoint"
                  httpPort="9080"
                  httpsPort="9443" />

    <application location="myapp.war" type="war" id="myapp" name="myapp" context-root="/myapp"/>
</server>

In this configuration, we’re only including the features we need for a typical web application with RESTful services and database access. This results in a server that starts up quickly and uses minimal resources.

Liberty in 2024:

As we move through 2024, Liberty continues to evolve its cloud-native capabilities. The latest versions offer improved support for containerization, better integration with popular orchestration platforms like Kubernetes, and enhanced tools for observability and diagnostics in distributed environments.

One area where Liberty really shines in 2024 is its support for modern application architectures, including reactive and event-driven systems. Let’s take a look at a simple example of how you can build a reactive REST endpoint using Liberty and the MicroProfile Reactive Streams Operators API:

@Path("/reactive")
public class ReactiveResource {

    @Inject
    ManagedExecutor executor;

    @GET
    @Path("/uppercase/{input}")
    @Produces(MediaType.TEXT_PLAIN)
    public CompletionStage<String> uppercase(@PathParam("input") String input) {
        return ReactiveStreams.of(input)
            .map(String::toUpperCase)
            .map(s -> {
                try {
                    // Simulate some processing time
                    Thread.sleep(100);
                } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                    Thread.currentThread().interrupt();
                }
                return s;
            })
            .toList()
            .run(executor)
            .thenApply(list -> String.join("", list));
    }
}

In this example, we’re creating a reactive endpoint that processes the input asynchronously, demonstrating Liberty’s capabilities in handling modern, responsive application designs.

While Liberty might not be as widely used as some open-source alternatives, its blend of enterprise-grade features, cloud-readiness, and flexible licensing options make it a strong contender in the 2024 Java application server landscape, especially for businesses already invested in the IBM ecosystem.

5. Payara Server: The Jakarta EE Innovator

Last but certainly not least on our list of top Java application servers for 2024 is Payara Server. Born as a fork of GlassFish, Payara has carved out its own niche in the Java application server market, offering a robust, production-ready platform with a focus on innovation and cloud-readiness.

Key Features:

Full Jakarta EE compatibility
Excellent performance and scalability
Built-in health monitoring and management tools
Strong focus on cloud-native deployments
Regular release cycles with long-term support options
Commercial support available

Payara Server is an excellent choice for organizations that want the standards compliance of GlassFish but with additional enterprise features and more frequent updates. It’s particularly well-suited for projects that require a balance between traditional Jakarta EE applications and more modern, cloud-native architectures.

One of Payara’s standout features is its comprehensive set of management and monitoring tools. Let’s take a look at how you can use Payara’s REST API to monitor your application’s health:

curl -X GET http://localhost:4848/monitoring/domain/server/jvm/memory/usedheapsize-count 
     -H "Accept: application/json" 
     -u admin:admin

This command retrieves the current heap usage of your Payara server, allowing you to monitor resource utilization programmatically.

Payara in 2024:

As we navigate through 2024, Payara continues to innovate in the Jakarta EE space. The latest versions offer improved support for reactive programming, better integration with cloud-native technologies, and enhanced security features. One area where Payara has made significant strides is in its support for MicroProfile, a set of APIs designed to make it easier to build microservices with Jakarta EE.

Let’s take a look at a simple example of how you can leverage MicroProfile Config in Payara to externalize your application’s configuration:

@ApplicationScoped
public class ConfigDemoBean {

    @Inject
    @ConfigProperty(name = "app.greeting", defaultValue = "Hello")
    private String greeting;

    @Inject
    @ConfigProperty(name = "app.max.users", defaultValue = "10")
    private int maxUsers;

    public String greetUser(String name) {
        return greeting + ", " + name + "! You are one of up to " + maxUsers + " users.";
    }
}

[Previous content remains the same]

In this example, we’re using MicroProfile Config to inject configuration values into our application. This allows us to easily change these values without modifying the code, making our application more flexible and easier to deploy in different environments.

Payara’s commitment to both Jakarta EE and MicroProfile makes it an attractive option for developers who want to leverage the best of both worlds. Its regular release cycle ensures that you always have access to the latest features and security updates, while its long-term support options provide stability for production deployments.

One area where Payara really shines in 2024 is its support for cloud-native deployments. With features like the Payara Micro edition, developers can create lightweight, self-contained applications that are perfect for microservices architectures. Here’s a simple example of how you can deploy a microservice using Payara Micro:

java -jar payara-micro.jar --deploy myapp.war --port 8080

This command deploys your application as a standalone microservice, complete with a fully-featured application server, all in a single JAR file. This makes it incredibly easy to deploy and scale your applications in containerized environments like Docker and Kubernetes.

While Payara might not have the market share of some of the other servers on our list, its innovative features, strong community support, and focus on modern application architectures make it a compelling choice for many Java projects in 2024.

Comparison Table: Java Application Servers at a Glance

To help you make an informed decision, let’s compare our top 5 Java application servers side by side:

Feature	Apache Tomcat	WildFly	Eclipse GlassFish	IBM WebSphere Liberty	Payara Server
License	Open Source (Apache)	Open Source (LGPL)	Open Source (EPL/GPL)	Commercial (with open source core)	Open Source (CDDL/GPL) with commercial options
Jakarta EE Compliance	Partial (Servlet container)	Full	Full (Reference Implementation)	Full	Full
Microservices Support	Good	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Excellent
Cloud-Native Features	Good	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Excellent
Startup Time	Very Fast	Fast	Moderate	Fast	Fast
Memory Footprint	Low	Moderate	Moderate	Low to Moderate	Moderate
Clustering	Limited	Built-in	Built-in	Built-in	Built-in
Admin Console	Basic	Comprehensive	Comprehensive	Comprehensive	Comprehensive
Commercial Support	Community	Available	Community	Available	Available

Making the Right Choice: Factors to Consider

Now that we’ve explored our top 5 Java application servers for 2024, you might be wondering which one is right for your project. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best choice depends on your specific needs, constraints, and goals. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:

Project Requirements:
What specific Java EE/Jakarta EE features does your application need? If you only require servlet support, a lightweight option like Tomcat might be sufficient. For full Jakarta EE compliance, you’ll want to look at options like WildFly, GlassFish, or Payara.

Performance and Scalability:
How much traffic do you expect your application to handle? All of these servers can scale, but some (like WildFly and WebSphere Liberty) have more advanced clustering and load balancing features out of the box.

Cloud and Microservices Readiness:
If you’re building cloud-native applications or microservices, you’ll want to pay special attention to features that support these architectures. WebSphere Liberty and Payara have made significant strides in this area.

Support and Community:
Do you need commercial support, or are you comfortable relying on community resources? Servers like WebSphere Liberty and Payara offer commercial support options, which can be crucial for enterprise deployments.

Existing Infrastructure:
If you’re already invested in a particular ecosystem (like IBM’s), it might make sense to stick with a compatible option (like WebSphere Liberty).

Development Team Experience:
Consider your team’s familiarity with different servers. There’s a learning curve associated with each option, so leveraging existing expertise can be beneficial.

Budget:
While many of these servers are open-source, some (like WebSphere Liberty) have commercial licensing options. Consider your budget constraints when making your choice.

Embracing the Future of Java Application Servers

As we’ve seen, the landscape of Java application servers in 2024 is rich and diverse, offering solutions for a wide range of needs and use cases. From the lightweight simplicity of Tomcat to the full-featured robustness of WildFly, and from the standards-compliance of GlassFish to the cloud-ready innovations of WebSphere Liberty and Payara, there’s an application server out there that’s perfect for your project.

The trend towards cloud-native, microservices-based architectures is clearly reflected in the evolution of these application servers. All of them have made significant strides in supporting modern deployment models, reactive programming paradigms, and improved developer productivity.

As you evaluate your options, remember that the “best” server is the one that aligns most closely with your specific needs and constraints. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different options, and consider running proof-of-concept projects to get a feel for how each server performs in your particular use case.

Whichever server you choose, you’re in good hands. The Java ecosystem is mature, robust, and constantly evolving, ensuring that you’ll have the tools and support you need to build amazing applications well into the future.

So, what’s your take? Have you had experience with any of these application servers? Are there others you think should be on the list? The world of Java application servers is always evolving, and we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Drop a comment below and let’s keep the conversation going!

Happy coding, and may your applications always run smoothly, scale effortlessly, and delight your users!

Disclaimer: The information presented in this blog post is based on the latest available data and trends as of August 2024. The Java application server landscape is constantly evolving, and while we strive for accuracy, some details may have changed since the time of writing. Always refer to the official documentation of each application server for the most up-to-date information. If you notice any inaccuracies, please report them so we can correct them promptly.