Uncovering the Best Payara Alternatives for Your Java EE Applications
Payara Server is a robust open-source, cloud-native application server, built for reliable and secure deployments of Java EE (Jakarta EE) applications. With its focus on production deployments, monthly releases, and a 10-year support lifecycle, Payara is a solid choice. However, depending on your specific project requirements, existing infrastructure, or team's familiarity, you might be looking for a different approach. This guide explores the top Payara alternatives that offer diverse functionalities and cater to various Java EE application needs.
Top Payara Alternatives
Whether you prioritize lightweight runtimes, extensive community support, or specific enterprise features, the Java ecosystem offers a rich array of application servers and frameworks. Let's dive into some of the best alternatives to Payara that could be a perfect fit for your next project.
Apache Tomcat
Apache Tomcat is a widely adopted open-source implementation of Java Servlet and JavaServer Pages technologies, making it a powerful and flexible web server for Java web applications. Available for Free and Open Source use on Mac, Windows, and Linux, Tomcat is an excellent Payara alternative for projects primarily focused on serving dynamic web content without the full Java EE stack, offering features like Java and Web Development.
Spring
The Spring Framework is an immensely popular open-source application framework and Inversion of Control container for the Java platform. It's a comprehensive alternative to Payara, particularly for building robust enterprise-level applications, microservices, and web services. Spring offers extensive features for Developer Tools and Web Development, and it's Free and Open Source, compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Jetty
Jetty Web Server is a lightweight and embeddable HTTP server and Servlet container, providing a versatile alternative to Payara for serving both static and dynamic content. Its small footprint and embeddable nature make it ideal for microservices and situations where a full-fledged application server might be overkill. Jetty is Free and Open Source, supporting Mac, Windows, and Linux, and excels as a Web Server.
Hazelcast
Hazelcast is an open-source in-memory data grid based on Java, providing a powerful distributed computing platform. While not a direct application server like Payara, Hazelcast is an excellent complement or alternative for applications requiring high-performance data processing, distributed caching, and real-time data streaming. It's Free and Open Source, available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, with features like Data stream processing, Database, Distributed, Distributed Cache, and In-memory database capabilities.
JBoss
JBoss, now known as WildFly and supported by Red Hat, is a robust Java EE application server. It's a comprehensive open-source alternative to Payara, offering a full suite of features for enterprise Java applications. JBoss is Free and Open Source, compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux, and is a strong contender for complex Web Development projects requiring a fully compliant Java EE environment.
Glassfish
GlassFish v3, a community-built open-source project, was the first compatible implementation of the Java EE 6 platform specification. As a direct ancestor of Payara, GlassFish offers a mature and feature-rich Java EE environment. It's a Free and Open Source solution available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, making it a viable alternative for those seeking a well-established Java EE application server.
Oracle Weblogic Server
Oracle WebLogic Server 12c is a leading commercial application server for enterprise Java applications, offering extreme cloud performance, scalability, and elasticity. While a commercial offering unlike Payara, it's a powerful alternative for large-scale enterprise deployments requiring advanced features, extensive support, and tight integration with Oracle's ecosystem. It supports Mac, Windows, and Linux platforms.
Payara Server
Payara Server itself is an open-source, cloud-native middleware platform for reliable and secure Java EE (Jakarta EE) applications. While the article is about alternatives, it's important to acknowledge Payara Server's own strengths for those considering it. It's Free and Open Source, supports Mac, Windows, Linux, and Java, and offers features like Backend, Clustering, MicroProfile compatibility, REST API, and Web Server capabilities.
WebSphere Application Server
WebSphere Application Server by IBM is a commercial enterprise-grade application server known for its high availability, security, and cost optimization. As a commercial alternative to Payara, WebSphere is ideal for organizations demanding robust, agile, and scalable solutions for building and managing complex Java applications. It's available on Windows, Linux, and Java Mobile platforms, providing comprehensive Web Development features.
Apache Geronimo
Apache Geronimo is a Java EE 5-certified open-source application server for web and enterprise applications. Built upon the Java EE platform specification, Geronimo aims to provide a reliable and compliant environment for Java development. As a Free and Open Source option available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's a viable Payara alternative for those seeking a fully-featured, community-driven Java EE solution for Web Development.
Ultimately, the best Payara alternative depends on your project's specific needs, budget, and team expertise. From lightweight web servers like Tomcat and Jetty to full-fledged enterprise solutions like Spring and JBoss, the Java ecosystem provides a wealth of choices to power your next application. Carefully evaluate each option's features, community support, and deployment flexibility to find the perfect fit.