This post will explain which is the best Local Server for Web Development among XAMPP or WAMP.
The battle of XAMPP vs WAMP has been a long-standing one. Which server is better? Well, we are going to do a comparative study of XAMPP vs WAMP so that we can find an answer to this query.
Both XAMPP and WAMP are available for free downloading. We have been using them to the local web server on our computer.
Both constitute of MySQL, PHP and Apache Server. Both empower you to develop and run PHP based web-applications locally on your PC or laptop. Before you make your website live, you can make modifications on your website locally using the CMS and other PHP powered frameworks, like, WordPress, Joomla, Drupal and many more.
You can try different plugins or play with the look and feel of the website by editing the theme. Alternatively, you can create articles locally before you launch your website.
Let’s explore XAMPP vs WAMP below.
XAMPP vs WAMP – A comparison in 2024
Speaking of XAMPP vs WAMP, let’s start with XAMPP.
XAMPP
- It has more extensions compared to WAMP.
- XAMPP package comes with Perl, Apache, MySql, and PHP.
- XAMPP is known for its clean, simple interface; ideal for beginners.
- XAMPP is supported by MAC as well as Windows/Linux.
Now it is time to learn more about WAMP to find out the winner of XAMPP vs WAMP.
WAMP
- In comparison, WAMP has less number of extension.
- WAMP packages contain MySql, PHP, and Apache; doesn’t have Perl.
- The interface is simple. There are several options attached to it, programmers will appreciate it.
- WAMP is supported only by Linux and Windows.
Decoding XAMPP Server in 2024
It stands merely for Cross-platform, Apache, MariaDB, PHP, and Pearl. XAMPP is an open source platform which is available for free downloading. We have already mentioned that it is a cross-platform server, supported by Mac, Windows, and Linux. Apache is the web server you need to run PHP.
As for MariaDB, it is merely the database where you store your content. MySql’s latest version is referred to as MariaDB. Speaking of Perl and PHP, both are programming languages supported by Apache server.
We use these programming languages to develop new websites. XAMPP is lauded for being a lightweight local server. There is nothing complicated about the setup of the XAMPP server. Using as well is simple.
XAMPP comes with features like mercury mail, supporting Perl and Filezilla, etc. Thanks to XAMPP server, it has become straightforward for you to test without any problem. Given XAMPP is free, open-source software, anybody can download it and use it as per their wishes.
Thanks to the XAMPP server, you will be able to test you will be able to test your website as many times as you need. WordPress users will tell you that XAMPP is extremely useful to them. We can see that XAMPP has a slight edge in the WAMP vs. XAMPP battle.
WAMP Server
Now we will see the case of WAMP server. We will start with the full form: Windows, Apache, MySql, and PHP. One significant limitation of WAMP server is that it works only with the Windows system.
What you will find most endearing about WAMP server is that there is nothing complicated about the set configuration. As far as the elements that are important to WAMP is a programming language, database, web server, and Operating System.
Speaking of the operating system, it works well in Windows. It also works in the Apache web server that is compatible with Windows. To store the content of your website, you rely on a MySql database.
All these are connected via PHP, the programming language. The package is referred to as the stack server.
Web Hosting
You have a combined package here for this purpose. All that you need is to install it on your computer. You will install all the necessary services. If you are developing your website, then you can use this package to develop and test your website locally before you make it live on the internet.
WordPress web-developers are the biggest beneficiary of this. It’s a powerful tool for WordPress web development.
WAMP Vs XAMPP
XAMPP is a cross-platform service, as it works with platforms like Mac, Linux, Windows, etc. That’s not the case with WAMP as it only works in Windows.
You can easily configure and set up XAMPP compared to WAMP.
XAMPP supports Perl, PHP, MySQL whereas WAMP supports only PHP & MySQL.
When it comes to starting the process, all that you need to do is to click on the start button in the case of XAMPP. There is no such button in the case of WAMP.
XAMPP comes with additional features like a file server, mercury mail and Perl compared to WAMP.
XAMPP is appreciated for its light weighted design compared to WAMP.
Conclusion
It’s time to figure out the winner of XAMPP vs WAMP battle. WAMP and XAMPP are efficient local servers you can rely on. Both come with their advantages.
Web developers find both the tools useful. Developers can test their websites locally before they make it live thanks to both these local servers. If you ask us, we would say WAMP is an ideal choice if you are only using Windows OS and PHP programming language. If you are a beginner, then WAMP is the ideal choice.
However, when it comes to experienced programmers, XAMPP is the ideal server. Here they get to add additional features. Also, they can work on multi-language. You can create a unique website with the assistance of XAMPP.