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Head-to-head · Application Servers

Lucee Server vs Adobe ColdFusion

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Lucee Server #18 in Application Servers 7.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Lucee
Adobe ColdFusion #19 in Application Servers 6.9/10 Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Try Adobe ColdFusion

Lucee Server leads on 0 checks, Adobe ColdFusion 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 scoreLucee Server · 7.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Adobe ColdFusion

Lucee Server scores higher on our rubric for application servers: 7.0 against 6.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #18 and #19.

On java standard, Lucee Server gives you Both where Adobe ColdFusion offers Java_ee. On deployment model, Adobe ColdFusion gives you Both where Lucee Server offers Self_hosted.

Lucee Server is the better fit for CFML teams wanting a free flexible server. Adobe ColdFusion is the better fit for CFML teams needing enterprise deployment options.

  • Lucee Server fits best

    CFML teams wanting a free flexible server

  • Adobe ColdFusion fits best

    CFML teams needing enterprise deployment options

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Lucee Server 7.0/10 Visit ↗ Adobe ColdFusion 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.0 6.9
Ranking #18 in Application Servers #19 in Application Servers
Best for CFML teams wanting a free flexible server CFML teams needing enterprise deployment options
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Tickets, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Lucee Server 3/3 · Adobe ColdFusion 3/3
Clustering ✓ ✓
Admin console ✓ ✓
Container support ✓ ✓
Specs
Java standard Both Java_ee
Deployment model Self_hosted Both
Supported operating systems Windows; Linux; macOS; FreeBSD; Solaris Windows, Linux, macOS
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Supports cloud, on-premises, hybrid, and container deployments
  • Includes clustering, load balancing, caching, and API management
  • Adds AI integrations, document processing, and built-in security protections
Cons
  • Requires self-hosted deployment and administration
  • Java servlet-container architecture may not suit non-CFML teams
  • Its broad configuration surface can require technical ownership
  • Paid editions use contact-sales pricing
  • Developer Edition is limited to development use
  • Standard Edition supports single-server deployment
Our verdict

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 →

Adobe ColdFusion is a CFML-based application server for teams building, deploying, and scaling web applications. It fits organizations that need database connectivity, search, charting, document generation, RESTful APIs, and enterprise…

Read the review →
  1. Lucee ServerApplication Servers 7.0Free plan
  2. Adobe ColdFusionApplication Servers 6.9Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • Adobe ColdFusion — where it wins

    • Supports cloud, on-premises, hybrid, and container deployments
    • Includes clustering, load balancing, caching, and API management
    • Adds AI integrations, document processing, and built-in security protections

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid editions use contact-sales pricing
    • Developer Edition is limited to development use
    • Standard Edition supports single-server deployment
  • Lucee Server7.0/10 · Free plan

    A free, self-hosted CFML engine with broad deployment and application-server features.

    Visit LuceeFull verdict →
  • Adobe ColdFusion6.9/10 · Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial

    A capable CFML platform with flexible deployment, enterprise features, and contact-sales pricing.

    Try Adobe ColdFusionFull verdict →

All application servers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update