Web Server vs. Application Server

The server which is used to run web application is known as web server. Web server can support only for web related technologies such as Servlet, JSP, HTML, etc.., Apache Tomcat is an example of web server.

The server which is used to run the enterprise application is known as application server. That means application server can support any technology from Java J2EE such as Servlet, JSPs, html + EJB, JMS etc. So application server is the superior server. So J2EE compatible server is the application server. Glassfish, Weblogic, JBoss are examples of application server.

Note :

In every application server, in-built web server is available to provide support web related technologies.

Web Application vs. Enterprise Application

The application which is developed by taking web related technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Servlet, JSP etc. Is known as web application.

The application which is developed by taking web related technologies and any technology from Java j2EE is known as Enterprise application. So Enterprise Application is superior application, thats why it is J2EE compatible application.