Difference between XAMPP and WAMP: Which Local Development Server Is Better?

Back when I enrolled in an introductory web app development elective my college was offering, I had the misfortune of being stuck with an over-qualified professor with terrible communication skills. Over the course of the semester, every single student – including me – struggled to make sense of the plethora of new “web dev” jargon that they were bombarded with. One day, we were suddenly asked to “make a web app software” of our own, which is when I was first introduced to the XAMPP vs WAMP debate.

Whether you are a student or an amateur developer who hasn’t worked on any major projects yet, this article will help you make sense of what XAMPP and WAMP are and how they are used in the web development process.

So let’s begin!

(Note: Throughout the article, any mention of WAMP refers not to the server stack but to one of the best WAMP servers, WampServer, which is more commonly known as WAMP. Hence, this article is a WampServer vs XAMPP comparison.)

Introducing Local Development Servers

Before we dive into the specifics of XAMPP vs WAMP, we need to answer a much more important question: What is a local development server?

In order to understand that, we must know how websites work and what happens in the background when we visit a website.

There are two parts of a website, the frontend (what the client sees) and the backend (what the server handles). A client is any device trying to access a website. But when a client sends a request to view a website, where does that request go? The server! You can think of the server as a warehouse in a far-off location where the website along with all of its resources is safely stored.

We now know that it is important to have some kind of accessible storage space where you can host your website, for which you need to rent a space for website hosting. However, renting this space costs money (there are different types of payment plans depending on various factors). Plus, once the site goes onto the main server, it usually becomes accessible to the general public. There may be security issues, bugs, or a bunch of other problems. Thus, whether you are developing a website for a college project or for a client, it does not make sense to spend that kind of money for going live with a website that is under construction, is incomplete, or has not been tested for vulnerabilities.

A local development server solves this problem. A local server runs on the same machine that the developer is using to create and access the website. Thus, it allows said machine to act as both client and server. You do not even have to be connected to the Internet in order to run the website.

XAMPP and WAMP are types of local development servers, which are a crucial type of web development technology. They recreate the environment of an actual web server so that you can run your website code, test it thoroughly, and then move onto the deployment stage.

Before we move onto the comparison of XAMPP vs WAMP, we will discuss each of these software products individually by answering the following questions.

• What does XAMPP stand for?
• What is XAMPP used for?
• What does WAMP stand for?
• What is WAMP used for?
  

What Is XAMPP?

There are many ways that XAMPP has been defined over the years.

Some refer to it as an open-source software product – just like any other piece of software, XAMPP is a product you can install and run on your computer.

Others call it a local server or a web server solution – that is, in fact, the task that it has been designed to perform: acting as an actual web server but on a local machine.

Hence, all these definitions hold true.

Now, let us break down the name itself. There are five components to unpack here:

X – this represents a cross, indicating cross-platform (compatible with multiple operating systems, such as Desktop Software Development and Linux)

A – Apache HTTP Server, more commonly known as Apache

M – MySQL (perhaps the most commonly used database among beginners; its latest version is called MariaDB, which is why people have now switched the M in XAMPP from MySQL to MariaDB)

P – PHP, a popular scripting language loved by both amateur and expert programmers

P – Perl, a high-level programming language

Together, all these components form an integrated environment where developers can perform tasks such as

• Managing the server and associated port(s)
• Maintaining a database to store, fetch, or edit the user-related data for the website
• Writing scripts for the website to allow data exchange between the site and the database

What Is WAMP?

Much like XAMPP, WAMP is also a local development server bundle that offers developers the opportunity to test their websites locally before going live with them.

By definition, WAMP stands for

W – Windows

A – Apache HTTP Server

M – MySQL

P – PHP

Now, we have already talked about the A, M, and P in our introduction to XAMPP. They stay the same.

So far, you must have noticed the first two differences between XAMPP vs WAMP:

1. The X here has been substituted with a W.
2. One last P is missing.

WAMP was built exclusively to be run on Windows, hence the W. If your local machine is running anything other than a Windows operating system, it won’t work!

The missing P accounts for the fact that WAMP does not offer support for Perl by default. You will have to manually configure it if you wish to use Perl with WAMP.

The functionality doesn’t vary much for WAMP or XAMPP. WAMP serves the exact same functions that XAMPP does. When you install WAMP, it automatically installs the Apache server, MySQL database, and PHP language on your local machine. You can then continue to set up and configure your local server and test your website on it.

A Detailed Comparison of XAMPP vs WAMP

When setting up a local development environment for PHP, Apache, and MySQL, developers often choose between XAMPP and WAMP. While both serve the same fundamental purpose, they differ in terms of features, ease of use, performance, and security. Below is a detailed breakdown of how these two stack up against each other.

1. Installation and Setup Process

XAMPP offers a simpler and faster installation process across Windows, macOS, and Linux. It comes with a single installer that bundles everything together. 

WAMP, on the other hand, is designed exclusively for Windows and requires some manual configuration during installation. If you prefer a one-click setup, XAMPP is easier, whereas WAMP may need additional tweaking.

2. UI and Ease of Use

WAMP provides a more user-friendly interface, allowing users to manage their Apache and MySQL services through an intuitive taskbar icon. 

XAMPP has a control panel but is slightly more complex due to additional features like Mercury Mail and Tomcat. Beginners may find WAMP’s interface easier, while advanced users may appreciate XAMPP’s extra tools.

3. Performance and Speed

WAMP is known for being lighter and faster on Windows systems since it is optimised for the OS. XAMPP, while versatile, includes extra services that can consume more system resources. 

If you need a performance-efficient environment for Windows, 

WAMP is the better option. However, if cross-platform development is a priority, XAMPP is still viable.

4. Compatibility with OS

XAMPP is designed to run on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it ideal for developers who need cross-platform compatibility. 

WAMP, however, is exclusive to Windows, which may limit flexibility if you plan to switch operating systems in the future.

5. Security Features

WAMP has better security configurations by default, making it safer for local development environments. XAMPP is more open by design, which means you may need to configure additional security settings, especially if using it on a network or exposed environment.

6. Community Support and Documentation

Both XAMPP and WAMP have active communities, but XAMPP has a larger user base due to its cross-platform nature. This means you’re more likely to find troubleshooting solutions, tutorials, and documentation online. 

WAMP, being Windows-specific, has more focused support for Windows-related issues.

Which One to Pick, XAMPP or WAMP?

Here’s a step-by-step consideration for choosing between XAMPP and WAMP:

Assess Your Operating System

Your choice between XAMPP and WAMP should start with evaluating your operating system since it determines compatibility and ease of installation. 

WAMP is designed exclusively for Windows, making it a great choice for Windows users who want a native and well-optimised experience. It integrates seamlessly with Windows services, ensuring better stability and performance on this OS. 

However, if you need a cross-platform solution, XAMPP is the better option since it supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. This cross-compatibility makes XAMPP ideal for developers who work on multiple devices or teams that use different operating systems. 

Additionally, if you are working in a development environment where future deployment may involve Linux servers, XAMPP ensures that your local development setup remains consistent with your production server.

Consider Project Requirements

Understanding the specific needs of your project is crucial when choosing between WAMP and XAMPP. 

Both platforms provide a basic local web server environment, including Apache for hosting, MySQL (or MariaDB in newer XAMPP versions) for database management, and PHP for server-side scripting. 

However, XAMPP is a more feature-rich package, including Perl and Tomcat for Java applications, which can be beneficial if your project requires these technologies. WAMP, in contrast, focuses on a streamlined and simplified stack designed primarily for PHP and MySQL development on Windows. 

If your project only requires basic web development using PHP and MySQL, WAMP is sufficient. However, if you anticipate needing additional flexibility, support for multiple programming languages, or tools like an FTP server and a mail server, XAMPP provides these functionalities out-of-the-box.

Evaluate Performance Needs

Performance is another key factor to consider, especially if you are working on large-scale applications or resource-limited devices. 

WAMP is generally lighter than XAMPP because it includes only essential components and is specifically optimised for Windows, making it a more efficient option in terms of memory and processing power. It is also considered more stable for Windows users since it is designed to work natively within the Windows ecosystem. 

On the other hand, XAMPP comes with additional components such as Mercury Mail (for email handling), FileZilla (for FTP management), and Tomcat (for Java applications), which, while useful, can consume more system resources. 

If you are working on a lightweight project where system performance is a concern, WAMP is the better option. However, if your development requires extra functionalities and your system can handle the additional load, XAMPP offers a more comprehensive solution.

Analyse Security Requirements

Security is an important consideration, especially if you plan to expose your local development environment to external networks or use it for testing production-level applications. 

XAMPP is designed for ease of use and quick setup, but this also means it comes with minimal security configurations by default. It allows unrestricted access to databases and web services, which can be a risk if not properly configured. 

WAMP, on the other hand, has more structured security measures, such as restricting access to MySQL databases and requiring manual configurations to allow external connections. If you are working on sensitive projects where security is a priority, WAMP’s built-in security features make it the better choice. 

However, if you need a more flexible environment and are willing to manually configure security settings, XAMPP can be secured through additional steps such as enabling passwords, disabling unused services, and configuring firewall rules.

Check Built-in Features and Usability

Both XAMPP and WAMP offer user-friendly management interfaces, but their usability and additional features differ significantly. 

XAMPP comes with several extra tools, including Mercury Mail (for local email testing), Tomcat (for running Java applications), and FileZilla (for FTP services), making it more versatile for advanced users and developers who need an all-in-one package. However, these additional tools can also make XAMPP more complex to configure. 

WAMP, on the other hand, offers a simpler, more intuitive interface, making it easier to manage and configure Apache, MySQL, and PHP settings directly through its graphical user interface. WAMP’s phpMyAdmin tool is also widely regarded as more user-friendly, making database management simpler for beginners. 

If you prefer a straightforward and easy-to-use server environment, WAMP is ideal, whereas XAMPP is better suited for users who require a wider range of development tools.

Assess Community Support & Documentation

When working with local development environments, access to community support and documentation can be crucial for troubleshooting and resolving issues. 

XAMPP, being a cross-platform solution, has a larger and more diverse community, offering extensive guides, forums, and troubleshooting documentation for Windows, macOS, and Linux users. This makes it easier to find solutions to various technical issues and ensures broader compatibility with different development environments. 

WAMP, being Windows-specific, has a smaller but highly specialised support community focused on optimising performance and troubleshooting issues specifically for Windows users. 

If you are new to local development and expect to rely heavily on community resources, XAMPP’s broader community may be more beneficial. However, if you are focused solely on Windows development, WAMP’s specialised support can provide more precise guidance.

Consider Future Scalability

Scalability should be a key consideration, especially if you plan to transition your project from a local environment to a live production server. 

XAMPP’s cross-platform nature makes it a more adaptable choice, allowing for seamless migration between different operating systems and cloud environments. If your project might be deployed on a Linux-based server in the future, developing on XAMPP ensures consistency between your local and production environments. 

WAMP, however, is best suited for Windows-based deployments and is a great choice if your live server will also be running on a Windows-based hosting environment. 

If you are developing a Windows-specific application and do not anticipate moving to Linux or another platform, WAMP’s Windows optimisation makes it a stable long-term choice. However, if you require flexibility and long-term scalability across different environments, XAMPP is the better investment.

By analysing these factors, you can determine whether XAMPP or WAMP is the right fit for your development needs.