JBoss and Tomcat are two popular Java servers used by developers around the world. See the difference between JBoss and Tomcat here. JBoss is a full Java EE application server. Tomcat is a lightweight servlet container. JBoss supports 100% of Java EE features like EJB and JMS. Tomcat supports only servlets and JSPs. JBoss can run large-scale enterprise apps. Tomcat is ideal for simple web apps. Many companies choose JBoss for its 7 inbuilt Java EE services. Others pick Tomcat for its fast start and 30% lower memory use.
Both are open source. Both run on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Choosing the right one means weighing features, cost, and performance.
Main Difference Between JBoss and Tomcat
The main difference is that JBoss is a full Java EE compliant server. It offers EJB, JPA, JMS, JTA, and more. Tomcat is a servlet container only. It handles servlets, JSP, and WebSockets. JBoss includes its own web server. Tomcat needs additional setup for full EE features. JBoss is heavier and has a larger footprint. Tomcat is simpler and lighter by 40%. JBoss is great for complex, distributed apps. Tomcat is perfect for basic web services and microservices.
JBoss Vs. Tomcat
What is JBoss
JBoss is an open source application server by Red Hat. It was first released in 2006 after Red Hat acquired JBoss Inc. JBoss implements all Java EE standards. It supports Enterprise JavaBeans, JMS, JPA, JTA, and more. It also includes a high-performance web server and clustering tools. It runs on any OS with a Java Virtual Machine.
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Many enterprises use JBoss to build and deploy large apps. JBoss offers domain mode to manage 100+ servers from one console. It has a modern web console and CLI tools. JBoss provides paid support and patches. It’s certified for production and comes with SLAs.
What is Tomcat
Tomcat is an open source servlet container from Apache. It first appeared in 1999 as a reference implementation for servlets. Tomcat implements servlets, JSP, WebSocket, and Expression Language specs. It is not a full Java EE server. It lacks EJB, JMS, and JPA out of the box.
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Tomcat is simple to install and configure. A default install uses 20MB of disk space. It starts up in seconds. Many developers use Tomcat for dev, test, and small-scale production apps. It has no license fees and no required support plans. Tomcat is lightweight and fast.
Comparison Table “JBoss EAP Vs. Apache Tomcat”
| Server Type | Full Java EE Application Server | Servlet Container / Web Server |
| Java EE Support | Complete (EJB, JMS, JPA, JTA, JSF, CDI) | Partial (Servlet, JSP, WebSocket) |
| Clustering | Built-in (Infinispan) | Limited / Requires add-on |
| Management Console | Yes (Web GUI, CLI) | Basic (Manager App, JMX) |
| Licensing | LGPL + Subscription for production | Apache License 2.0 (Free) |
| Memory Footprint | ~200MB | ~50MB |
| Startup Time | ~10s | ~2s |
| Transaction Support | JTA built-in | Via third-party libraries |
| High Availability | Yes | No |
| Community Support | Red Hat + WildFly community | Apache community |
Difference Between JBoss and Tomcat in Detail
Get to know the Difference Between JBoss Vs. Tomcat in Detail.
1. Architecture
JBoss follows a modular, service-oriented design. Each Java EE feature is a separate module. You load only what you need. This saves memory in large deployments.
Tomcat has a simple, layered design. It uses Catalina as its servlet engine. Coyote handles HTTP connections. Jasper compiled JSPs. You add libraries for extra features.
2. Java EE Support
JBoss supports 100% of the Java EE standard. It offers EJB, JMS, JPA, JTA, JSF, and more. You get built-in clustering and transaction management.
Tomcat supports only servlets, JSP, WebSockets, and EL. For full EE support you must add TomEE or third-party libs. This can complicate maintenance and upgrades.
3. Clustering and Scalability
JBoss offers advanced clustering out of the box. It uses Infinispan for distributed caching. It handles load-balancing and failover natively.
Tomcat’s clustering support is basic. You need external tools like Apache HTTPD or custom scripts. Scaling often means adding more instances manually.
4. Management and Tools
JBoss provides a modern web console and CLI. You can manage servers, deployments, and data sources from one place. It integrates with Ansible and Puppet.
Tomcat has a minimal manager web app and JMX support. You can deploy apps and view logs. Advanced tasks require custom scripts or JMX tools.
5. Licensing and Cost
JBoss EAP is open source under LGPL. Production use requires a Red Hat subscription. Subscriptions include support, patches, and hotfixes.
Tomcat is under the Apache License 2.0. It is free for any use. There’s no paid support directly from Apache. You rely on community help or third-party vendors.
6. Resource Usage and Performance
JBoss has a larger footprint. A base install uses 200MB of RAM. It takes 10 seconds to start in domain mode. It can handle heavy enterprise loads.
Tomcat is lean. A default instance uses 50MB of RAM. It starts in 2 seconds. It delivers simpler apps faster. It works well on small servers or containers.
7. Community and Support
JBoss has strong Red Hat backing. You get enterprise SLAs and regular updates. The community around WildFly is active too.
Tomcat is driven by the Apache community. It has wide adoption and many plugins. Updates and security fixes come from volunteer committers.
Key Difference Between JBoss and Tomcat
Here are the key points showing the Difference Between JBoss Vs. Tomcat.
- Java EE Compliance JBoss fully implements Java EE standards. Tomcat covers only web specs.
- Footprint JBoss uses more CPU and memory. Tomcat is light and fast.
- Startup Time JBoss takes around 10s to boot. Tomcat starts in 2s.
- Administration JBoss has a web console and CLI. Tomcat offers only a basic manager.
- Clustering JBoss includes clustering and caching. Tomcat needs add-ons.
- Transaction Management JBoss handles JTA natively. Tomcat requires external libs.
- Security JBoss provides built-in security realms. Tomcat uses simple XML configs.
- Configuration JBoss uses XML and CLI. Tomcat uses XML only.
- Licensing JBoss EAP needs a subscription. Tomcat is fully free.
- Support JBoss has paid Red Hat support. Tomcat relies on community or third parties.
- Ecosystem JBoss bundles Hibernate, Infinispan, and more. Tomcat stays minimal.
- Tools Integration JBoss integrates with Ansible and Maven. Tomcat needs manual setup.
- Use Cases JBoss suits large enterprise apps. Tomcat is best for microservices.
- Extensions JBoss modules can be hot-deployed. Tomcat needs restarts for new features.
FAQs: JBoss Vs. Tomcat
Conclusion
Which one to go for, JBoss or Tomcat depends on what you are looking for. If you need complete Java EE support, in-built clustering and enterprise SLAs then JBoss is the right selection as it provides 100% of Java EE features and very rich management tools. If you need a lightweight server that boots very fast, has a small footprint and is license-free then JBoss is a pretty good fit. It is more focused around servlets, JSP and web sockets.
Both of these are open source as well as available over multiple platforms. Evaluate your app complexity, budget, and maintenance model. Then pick the server that matches your project goals. Pick the one that suits you the best as you know the difference between JBoss and Tomcat.
References & External Links
- What is JBoss Enterprise Application Platform?
- Java Basics: What Is Apache Tomcat?
