WebSphere Alternatives: 3 Best Options to Consider

As organizations modernize their tech stacks, many are re-evaluating their application server choices to ensure they can address their evolving business and technology needs. Recent announcements from IBM regarding the direction of WebSphere have prompted a number of companies to reassess their long-term plans.

While WebSphere remains a reliable solution, these recent updates hint at shifts in focus that may present challenges for businesses and their existing applications. For those navigating these changes, understanding alternative paths and modern platforms has never been more crucial. Let's have a look at key WebSphere alternatives.

What Is WebSphere?

WebSphere Application Server, also known as WebSphere or WAS, is an application server technology from IBM that has traditionally been powering enterprise Java applications across numerous industries. The technology was first introduced in 1998 as a suite of software products for web-based Java application development. Throughout the early 2000s, IBM expanded the WebSphere portfolio to include various middleware solutions. In recent years, the company has been focusing on modernizing WebSphere to support microservices and containerization for enterprise Java applications. The latest WebSphere version is 9.0, which was released in September 2024. A new offering, WebSphere Liberty, is also available. This is a cloud-ready solution that can be run in containers on Kubernetes either on public cloud, private cloud or hybrid

Many Fortune 500 companies rely on WebSphere for mission-critical applications in finance, healthcare and government sectors. In many cases, the middleware supports existing applications that have been running for years and are essential to business operations.

Key Features

WebSphere excels in several areas that make it an enterprise favorite:

• Platform Compatibility: Native support for Windows, Linux, AIX, Solaris, IBM i and z/OS ensures deployment flexibility
• Open-Source Integration: Built-in compatibility with popular open-source tools and frameworks
• Modernization Tools: WebSphere Hybrid Edition streamlines Java runtime updates and architectural modernization
• Container Support: Certified containers for both traditional WebSphere and Liberty profiles
• Developer-Friendly: Free licensing for development environments.

Pricing

WebSphere Application Server leverages the Liberty runtime, which originates from the free, open-source Open Liberty project. IBM builds on this foundation, offering commercial support for Liberty through WebSphere Application Server.

WebSphere’s licensing model is feature-rich and scales based on processor cores, making it adaptable for a variety of deployment needs. However, enterprise deployments often incur significant costs, reaching six or seven figures annually when factoring in licensing, software subscription and support.

Why Look for WebSphere Alternatives?

It's important for organizations to regularly review their technology stacks to make sure it can support the necessary technical requirements and business objectives. As such, there may be instances where WebSphere may no longer be a good fit for a specific enterprise Java application. Example of reasons why businesses may seek an alternatives that better align with their needs include:

1. Dropping Support for Older Java EE Frameworks: Many companies still run critical applications on older Java EE versions, which WebSphere is gradually phasing out of support. These organizations may not yet be ready to update their applications, creating a gap between their current needs and WebSphere’s capabilities. 

2. Incompatibility with Jakarta EE and Newer Java SE Versions:  It's important to note that the traditional WebSphere Application Server has not been updated to support Jakarta EE specifications. Similarly, the platform does not support Java SE 17 nor 21. Organizations aiming to utilize Jakarta EE, Java SE 17 and/or Java 21 features need to transition to WebSphere Liberty.

3. Lack of Support for Older and Newer Java SE Versions: Similarly, applications relying on older Java versions face increasing challenges as WebSphere focuses on newer Java versions. For example, to continue receiving support for WebSphere Application Server, an upgrade to WebSphere Application Server version 8.5.5 with Java 8 is necessary. While modernization is ideal, many organizations are not yet prepared to migrate these legacy applications, making the lack of support a significant pain point.

4. High Costs of Ownership: WebSphere’s licensing, support and maintenance costs often run high, especially for enterprises with large-scale deployments. This financial burden can be especially challenging for organizations maintaining older applications, especially if they may not fully benefit from WebSphere’s newer features.

5. Uncertainty Around Long-Term Commitment: IBM’s focus on cloud-native solutions has introduced concerns about the future of traditional WebSphere deployments. For companies with legacy systems, this uncertainty makes it harder to justify investing further in a platform that may not align with their future direction.

6. Challenges with Technical Support: Some organizations have experienced difficulties in obtaining the level of technical support they need for complex WebSphere deployments, creating potential obstacles for software development teams. These challenges can impact efficiency, performance and stability.

3 Best WebSphere Alternatives to Consider

1. Payara Platform Enterprise 5

Payara Platform Enterprise 5 stands out as a drop-in application server replacement for WebSphere Application Server. It is ideal for businesses looking for a straightforward WebSphere replacement that can also help them kickstart their modernization strategies. It offers a solution to rapidly reap the benefits of new functionalities while extending the service life of existing enterprise Java applications.

Key Features

• Java SE 8, Java EE 7 & 8 and Jakarta EE 8 Compatibility: Payara Platform Enterprise 5 offers a seamless transition for businesses running Java EE 7 applications based on Java SE 8 on WebSphere 9.0, while also supporting Jakarta EE 8 for forward compatibility.
• Cloud-Optimized: Payara Platform Enterprise 5 is fully optimized for modern cloud architectures, supporting major cloud platforms, containers (and their orchestration), Kubernetes and Docker.
• Microservices Ready: With built-in support for microservices, Payara Platform Enterprise 5 makes it easier to scale and adapt to modern development practices.
• Enterprise-Grade Features: Payara Platform Enterprise 5 includes clustering, load balancing, failover and enterprise-grade security features.
• Production Support: 24/7 or 10/5 models for technical assistance from Payara Services engineers with 0.4 median response times. 

Pricing

Payara Platform Enterprise 5 follows a subscription-based pricing model, which includes access to the platform as well as technical support and regular updates. The cost can be scalable depending on the size of your deployment. To benefit from additional technical support during migration, companies can include Payara Accelerator as add-on suite of services.

Pros

• Ideal WebSphere Replacement: Payara Platform Enterprise 5 is the perfect replacement for WebSphere Application Server 8.5.5 and 9.0, offering long-term compatibility with both legacy Java EE applications and Jakarta EE for future-proofing while delivering innovative features for cloud and microservices. 
• Cost-Effectiveness: Unlike WebSphere, Payara Platform Enterprise 5 offers more predictable and transparent pricing while still providing enterprise-level support and features.
• Extensive Migration Support: Payara Platform Enterprise 5 can be combined with Payara Accelerator services, which provide hands-on guidance and assessments to ensure the migration and/or upgrade is successful.

Considerations

2. Payara Platform Enterprise 4

When businesses want to migrate from WebSphere Application Server but need more time before upgrading, due to time, cost, resources or other constrains, Payara Platform Enterprise 4 can help address these two needs, offering continued support for legacy systems. In effect, this runtime will be able to support its related Java version until their end of life (expected in December 2030) through Lifetime Support. 

Global logistics leader Hermes successfully migrated its tracking system from IBM WebSphere Application Server to Payara Platform Enterprise 4, reducing operational costs by 30% while maintaining enterprise-grade reliability. Read more here.

Key Features

• Java EE 7 & Java SE 8 Support: Payara Platform Enterprise 4 is fully compatible with Java EE 7 and Java SE 8, offering solid support for businesses relying on older Java versions for their applications.
• High Availability: Includes essential features like clustering and failover with Hazelcast, ensuring high availability for mission-critical applications.

Pricing

Payara Platform Enterprise 4 is available through a subscription model, like Payara Platform Enterprise 5 and 6. To access the Lifetime Support an additional subscription is needed. This is approximately 25% on top of the normal subscription. New customers who want to adopt or migrate to Payara Platform Enterprise 4 will also need a Payara Accelerator subscription, which will also include migration support. 

Pros

• Migrate Now, Upgrade Later: Ideal for businesses that cannot immediately upgrade but need continued support for their Java EE 7-based applications. The Lifetime Support ensures that security patches and updates are available, providing a stable and secure environment for continued operation.
• Clear Pricing: With Lifetime Support, Payara Platform Enterprise 4 offers a predictable cost for businesses that need support but aren’t yet ready to invest in a full upgrade.

Considerations

As Java EE 7 and Java SE 8 are approaching their end of life, businesses should plan for future migration to newer platforms, such as Payara Platform Enterprise 5 or 6, for long-term sustainability. In addition, while Payara Platform Enterprise 4 provides Lifetime Support, this is limited and can carry a higher total cost over time. Ultimately, this runtime offers a short-term solution, so upgrading in the future should be considered.

3. Payara Platform Enterprise 6

The latest version of the Payara Platform, Payara Platform Enterprise 6, is ideal for organizations with the resources and readiness to invest significantly in a modern, cloud-native and scalable solution for enterprise Java applications. 

Key Features

• Jakarta EE 10 Support: Payara Platform Enterprise 6 fully supports Jakarta EE 10, ensuring compatibility with the latest standards for enterprise Java applications.
• Cloud-Native Optimizations: Designed with cloud-first principles, Payara Platform Enterprise 6 offers built-in support for microservices, Kubernetes, Docker and cloud deployments. Users can benefit from advanced features for cloud and microservices architectures.
• Java SE 11, 17 & 21 Support: Compatible with modern Java versions (Java SE 11, 17 and 21), enabling businesses to leverage the latest performance improvements and features.
• Security Tools: Payara Platform Enterprise 6 offers built-in security features, including OpenID Connect and OAuth 2.0.
• Monitoring Suite: Comprehensive monitoring and management capabilities within Payara Platform Enterprise 6 deliver high availability, visibility and observability to help maximize application uptime and performance. 
  

Pricing

Just like Payara Platform Enterprise 4 and 5, Payara Platform Enterprise 6 is priced under a subscription model that covers technology license, JDK support and technical assistance.

Pros

• Future-Ready: Payara Platform Enterprise 6 ensures long-term compatibility with Jakarta EE 10 and modern Java SE versions wile offering innovative features and optimal support for containerization, Kubernetes and cloud platforms. As such, it is well suited for organizations planning to stay at the forefront of enterprise Java development.
• Scalability: Payara Platform Enterprise 6’s performance optimizations make it suitable for large-scale, high-performance applications.
• Long-Lasting Support and Lifecycle: Full support for Payara Platform Enterprise 6 is expected to last until mid 2028 and Extended Support will continue until 2033.  

Considerations

Comparison Summary

For a detailed comparison of Payara Platform Enterprise vs WebSphere Application Server and additional information on how to migrate, visit this page.

For a detailed comparison of Payara Platform Enterprise 4, 5 and 6, check our blog post 'Payara Platform Enterprise 4 vs. 5 and 6: Which Version Is Right for You?'

Conclusions

Middleware plays a key role in the performance, efficiency and reliability of enterprise Java applications. Therefore, it is extremely important to leverage a technology that can help your application work at its best while optimizing your investment. If you are evaluating whether WebSphere Application Server is still well suited to your application ,consider your specific requirements around support, features and budget. If a runtime migration can be beneficial, there are a number of options within the Payara Platform Enterprise suite of application server technologies that are well equipped to address your needs. 

Unless there are very specific legacy elements that may be considerably slow down a migration, e.g. through knock on effects on a multitude of systems, Payara Platform Enterprise 5 is the ideal runtime for most organizations transitioning from WebSphere Application Server. It offers a direct, cost-effective replacement, future-proofs applications with Jakarta EE compatibility and new functionalities while providing an easy migration path from WebSphere with minimal disruption.

If an immediate upgrade is not an option but your organization requires support for legacy systems, Payara Platform Enterprise 4 with Lifetime Support is a solid choice. It ensures continued security and stability for older Java EE applications. However, it’s important to note that planning for an upgrade should be scheduled in the near future, as Java EE 7 will be phased out.

For teams ready to invest in a more advanced, cloud-native solution, Payara Platform Enterprise  6 is the right option. While it requires a significant investment, it will pay off in the long run, offering scalability, modern Java support and full cloud-native capabilities.

Interested in discussing a potential WebSphere migration? Get in touch with our team to discuss technical requirements and a feasible roadmap.