Undertow vs Wildfly: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this Markdown code, we will discuss the key differences between Undertow and Wildfly, two popular technologies used in web development.

1. Architecture: Undertow is a lightweight web server built with a minimalistic design approach, focusing on high performance and low resource usage. On the other hand, Wildfly is a full-fledged Java EE application server that provides a complete set of enterprise features, including support for Java EE specifications and an extensive set of libraries and extensions.

2. Deployment Model: Undertow is often used as a standalone web server or embedded within an application, providing a flexible deployment model suitable for microservices architectures. In contrast, Wildfly is primarily used as an application server for deploying Java EE applications, offering a comprehensive set of functionalities for enterprise deployments.

3. Ease of Use: Undertow offers a more lightweight and developer-friendly environment, with simpler configuration and setup options. It is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized projects with simpler requirements. Wildfly, on the other hand, has a more complex setup due to its extensive feature set and support for Java EE. It provides advanced features and capabilities targeting enterprise-grade applications.

4. Supported Technologies: Undertow supports a wide range of Java frameworks and technologies, making it highly versatile and adaptable. It can be easily integrated with other technologies and frameworks such as Spring Boot and Vert.x. Wildfly, being a Java EE application server, supports the full Java EE stack, including JPA, EJB, JMS, CDI, and more. It provides a robust and standardized platform for building enterprise applications.

5. Scalability and Performance: Undertow is known for its high performance and low resource usage, making it suitable for scenarios requiring high scalability and low latency. Its lightweight nature allows it to handle a large number of concurrent connections efficiently. Wildfly, being a full Java EE application server, offers a more comprehensive set of features but may have a slightly higher resource overhead and may not match the same level of performance as Undertow in specific use cases.

6. Community and Support: Undertow has a smaller but active community, with frequent updates and bug fixes. Although it may have fewer resources available for support, the simplicity and ease of use make it less prone to issues. Wildfly, being an open-source project sponsored by Red Hat, has a larger community and offers professional support options, including enterprise-level support subscriptions.

In summary, Undertow and Wildfly differ in their architecture, deployment models, ease of use, supported technologies, scalability, performance, and community and support. Undertow is lightweight, versatile, and suitable for small to medium-sized projects, while Wildfly is a full-fledged Java EE application server geared towards enterprise deployments.