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Head-to-head · Application Servers

Apache TomEE vs Lucee Server

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Apache TomEE #5 in Application Servers 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Apache TomEE
Lucee Server #18 in Application Servers 7.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Lucee

Apache TomEE leads on 0 checks, Lucee Server on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApache TomEE · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresLucee Server · 3 of 3

Apache TomEE scores higher on our rubric for application servers: 8.8 against 7.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #18.

On java standard, Lucee Server gives you Both where Apache TomEE offers Jakarta_ee.

Apache TomEE is the better fit for open-source Tomcat-oriented Java deployments. Lucee Server is the better fit for CFML teams wanting a free flexible server.

  • Apache TomEE fits best

    Open-source Tomcat-oriented Java deployments

  • Lucee Server fits best

    CFML teams wanting a free flexible server

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Side by side

Feature Apache TomEE 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Lucee Server 7.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.0
Ranking #5 in Application Servers #18 in Application Servers
Best for Open-source Tomcat-oriented Java deployments CFML teams wanting a free flexible server
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Desktop Cloud, Self-hosted
Support Community, Docs Community, Tickets, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache TomEE 2/3 · Lucee Server 3/3
Clustering ✓ ✓
Admin console Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Container support ✓ ✓
Specs
Java standard Jakarta_ee Both
Deployment model Self_hosted Self_hosted
Supported operating systems Windows, Linux Windows; Linux; macOS; FreeBSD; Solaris
Our review
Pros
  • Jakarta EE 10 support with multiple focused distributions
  • Tomcat clustering supports sessions and high-availability configurations
  • Embedded execution and Maven-based provisioning support flexible workflows
  • Free and open source with CFML and CFScript support
  • Supports clustering, failover, caching, databases and web services
  • Deploys through Docker, JAR, WAR, Express, Tomcat or Jetty
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure management
  • Its focus is narrower than broad integration platforms
  • No AI features are included
  • Requires self-hosted deployment and administration
  • Java servlet-container architecture may not suit non-CFML teams
  • Its broad configuration surface can require technical ownership
Our verdict

Apache TomEE is an open-source application server for developers and organizations running enterprise Java applications on their own infrastructure. Built on Apache Tomcat, it adds Jakarta EE 10 application server functionality and is…

Read the review →

Lucee Server is an open-source CFML engine written in Java for teams building and running web applications with CFML or CFScript. It fits developers who need a self-hosted application server with database connectivity, transaction support,…

Read the review →
  1. Apache TomEEApplication Servers 8.8Free plan
  2. Lucee ServerApplication Servers 7.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apache TomEE — where it wins

    • Jakarta EE 10 support with multiple focused distributions
    • Tomcat clustering supports sessions and high-availability configurations
    • Embedded execution and Maven-based provisioning support flexible workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure management
    • Its focus is narrower than broad integration platforms
    • No AI features are included

  • Lucee Server — where it wins

    • Free and open source with CFML and CFScript support
    • Supports clustering, failover, caching, databases and web services
    • Deploys through Docker, JAR, WAR, Express, Tomcat or Jetty

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires self-hosted deployment and administration
    • Java servlet-container architecture may not suit non-CFML teams
    • Its broad configuration surface can require technical ownership

More comparisons

All application servers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update