LAMP vs XAMPP vs WAMP vs MAMP – What’s the Difference (Pros and Cons). Choosing the right server when setting up a web application is crucial as it helps deliver content to the end user securely. Most CMS websites built with Joomla or WordPress use PHP, the popular server side programming language. Developers trust PHP because it is lightweight, easy to run, ideal for secure applications, and helps developers create dynamic websites.
Web development stack is a collection of tools that provide a strong base for your web applications. It offers storage devices and other features, making it easy for developers to build, modify and enhance a website.
You can find several open source Web development stacks in the market for your web application, but we have shortlisted some of the best ones for you. XAMPP, LAMP, WAMP and MAMP are the popular PHP servers trusted by many developers. Here, we will discuss XAMPP, LAMP, WAMP and MAMP servers in detail and compare them to make it easier for you to choose.
Shall we start with LAMP vs XAMPP vs WAMP vs MAMP – What’s the Difference.
What is LAMP Server?
Together, the main components can help generate a database driven, dynamic website for clients. It is a free, open source platform with four layers, referred to as a LAMP stack. Here, as a browser makes a request for a specific web page via the web server (Apache), a request is immediately passed to the supported server side technology (PHP). After receiving the request, communication with the database (MySQL) is made. As per the request, specific user data is selected and converted to HTML format understandable by the browser.
Now, the server responds and passes back the information to the requested browser. Remember, the web server can run by only Linux based local hosts
Developers can generate both static HTML and dynamic web pages running PHP codes using the LAMP server. It is a ubiquitous hosting platform that also allows developers to test their web pages before launching or making them live.
LAMP server is highly customizable, easy, and quick to install. Also, it supports PHP, Perl, and Python programming languages, uses Apache Web server, and MySQL RDBMS to support data storage functions.
Pros of LAMP Server
- LAMP server is a highly customizable, flexible, and secure open source platform.
- Users can modify and make improvements using the shared source code.
- The platform has a huge support community.
- With the LAMP server it is compatible with CMS websites, including WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, etc.
- It offers a secure infrastructure for creating static and dynamic web applications.
- A large number of web applications are dependent on the LAMP server for it is widely integrated within the Internet.
Cons of LAMP Server
- Supports no other operating systems other than Linux.
- It is no more the latest web stack and might get outdated in the future.
- Less efficient and productive compared to other web stacks like MEAN.
- In case of heavy workloads, Apache might run into performance issues.
- Development workflow might get affected when switching between coding in Python and PHP.
What is XAMPP Server?
XAMPP (Cross Platform, Apache Server, MariaDB, PHP, and Pearl) is a free, open source stack package used to develop and test a live copy of your website before deployment on the Internet. Many operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux are supported by the XAMPP server.
It is a lightweight local server that supports mercury mail, Tomcat, Webalizer, Perl, Filezilla and other features. The biggest advantage of the XAMPP server is developers can perform N number of tests on their content locally and update it as per the requirement before making it live on the Internet.
This XAMPP server is easy to install and supports a control panel making it simple for developers to manage and implement the web application. With the help of the XAMPP stack model, the process of installation of an AMP stack becomes easy. As a result, all you require is to download the suitable package and run the installer without additional configurations.
Pros of XAMPP
- With XAMPP is much easier to install compared to WAMP.
- It is a cross platform compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
- Supports Secure Socket Layer Protocol (SSL) and Transport Layer Protocol.
- Test the content of your website and fix errors before making it live on the Internet.
- Using the XAMPP server, users can manage mails across the web.
- Developers can ease the transfer operations performed on files using its excellent features.
- Developers can start and end the whole web server with a single command.
Cons of XAMPP
- Developers find it difficult to manage configuration and other settings as compared to the WAMP stack model.
What is WAMP Server?
WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL and PHP) is a local server used to test dynamic websites for Windows based systems. It is a free, open source platform released under a GPML license and works only on Windows operating system. Another plus point about the WAMP server is it is available in two versions, including 32 and 64 bits.
It is similar to the LAMP server but differs in the operating systems. LAMP supports only Linux based operating systems, while WAMP supports only windows based operating systems.
With WAMP, you can perform testing on all WordPress features on your local host or personal computer without any consequences. It implies you do not have to wait for files to be uploaded to the site for testing as it is not connected to the web. Also, its excellent features help create backup, a simple and quick process.
It also has a control panel that eases the process for developers and saves time. WAMP involves the use of an Apache server and PHP object oriented scripting language to create dynamic websites.
Pros of WAMP
- Easy to change configurations.
- Ease to run PHP codes and create databases on the Windows platform.
- Quick to install and download the web server.
- Intuitive and straightforward interface.
- Supports multiple modules, including phpMyAdmin, MediaWiki, etc.
- Using a single command, developers can start/stop the entire web server and database.
Cons of WAMP
- Less easy to install as compared to XAMPP
What is MAMP Server?
Last on the list of LAMP vs XAMPP vs WAMP vs MAMP – What’s the Difference is MAMP (MacOS, Apache Web Server, MySQL, and PHP). It is another local server used by developers to test and run dynamic websites on Mac OS. You can use MAMP server for free or try paid versions. With its pro version, developers can create a separate host for each web project. It is quick to install WordPress with these servers and allows running multiple versions of PHP without uploading to a remote server. MAMP server can be installed in minutes with a few clicks.
Pros of MAMP
- MAMP hardly takes any time to install.
- Supports quick installation of WordPress.
- Users can multiple versions of PHP using MAMP server.
- Supports only Mac based operating systems
Cons of MAMP
- Testing is restricted to only Mac based systems.
LAMP vs XAMPP vs WAMP vs MAMP - Key Differences
| Parameters | LAMP Server | XAMPP Server | WAMP Server | MAMP Server |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Acronym |
Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP |
Cross Platform, Apache Server, MariaDB, PHP, and Pearl |
Windows, Apache, MySQL, and PHP |
MacOS, Apache Web Server, MySQL, and PHP |
|
Definition |
A free, open source software stack model that uses Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP/Perl/Python components to generate a database driven, dynamic website. |
A cross platform used to develop and test content of the website before deployment on the Internet. |
WAMP is a lightweight local server used by developers to test dynamic websites for Windows based systems. It is a free, open source platform released under a GPML license. |
A local server used by developers to test and run dynamic websites on Mac-based operating systems. |
|
Supporting Platforms |
Linux operating system support the LAMP server |
Linux, Windows, and Mac OS support the software package |
Windows Operating systems support the WAMP local servers |
Only Mac Operating systems support the MAMP server |
|
Installation Process |
Quick to run and install software stack model |
XAMPP is much easier to install compared to WAMP.
|
Quick to download and install WAMP server. |
Quick to install as it takes only a few minutes and clicks. |
|
Programming Languages |
LAMP is multi lingual and supports PHP, Perl, and Python programming languages. |
Supports Perl and PHP programming and scripting languages for development in XAMPP. |
It uses PHP programming language for testing and development. |
Uses PHP programming language to test and run codes. |
|
Database |
The open source platform supports MySQL RDBMS to run data based operations and perform storage functions. |
Uses MariaDB instead of MySQL |
For storing and retrieving data operations, WAMP uses MySQL |
Supports MySQL for data storage and retrieving operations |
|
Servers |
LAMP stack model uses Apache Web server |
To test and run webpages of local hosts, XAMPP uses Apache server |
WAMP supports Apache Web server. |
Supports Apache webserver |
Thank you for reading LAMP vs XAMPP vs WAMP vs MAMP – What’s the Difference. Let’s conclude.
LAMP vs XAMPP vs WAMP vs MAMP - What's the Difference Conclusion
PHP is a simple programming language used by most developers to build websites. It is a dynamically typed language with no hard rules and additional expensive software. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac, and other operating systems. Another feature of PHP is it supports all major servers like Apache.
When writing a PHP file, you require an interpreter to read and run codes added to the PHP file. Hence, without an interpreter, there is no benefit to writing a PHP file, for it will be like any other text file.
By having the right server, you will fill in the need for an interpreter and can perform other actions, including mailing, making HTTP requests, etc. Hence, we have shortlisted a few open source PHP servers that can help build and run dynamic websites.
LAMP servers, XAMPP servers, WAMP servers, and MAMP are some of the popular open source servers. LAMP is a combination of Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP/Perl/Python used to develop dynamic websites for Linux based systems, whereas, WAMP is a local server used to develop dynamic websites for Windows based systems.
Similarly, XAMPP is a cross platform used by developers to test the web content before deployment on the Internet. MAMP, on the other hand, is used to test and run dynamic websites on Mac based operating systems.
LAMP, WAMP, and MAMP use MySQL database for data storage and retrieving operations, whereas, the XAMPP server supports MariaDB instead of MySQL. Each local server is easy to install and requires minimal configuration. These servers allow developers to perform multiple changes and test web content before making your website live. Another benefit of investing in these servers is developers find them much easy to build, modify and enhance a website.
Compare each above listed open source PHP server on the basis of their programming language, database and a web server.
