XAMPP vs WAMP – What to Use for WordPress Local Installation?
In web development, getting the right tech-stack is important because you might use the server software for a long time. Enter XAMPP vs WAMP (WampServer), two of the most critical players in the universe of local development.
Both local server software provide a seamless & efficient environment and share the goal of creating a dynamic playground for the local development process. Choosing a single one can be challenging when both offer similarities, such as MySQL, PHP, Apache Server, etc., for hosting WordPress websites locally on your computer.
Whether you are a student of computer studies, an upcoming programmer, or a veteran web developer you need a localhost. Are you asking the same question, who is better in the battle between XAMPP and WampServer for installing a WordPress website? We will help you to find the answers, so enough with the chitchat. Let’s find the answer.
What is XAMPP?
XAMPP is an open-sourced software that means X-operating system, Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl. It works for most computer operating system environments like Windows, Mac, Linux, and others.
Furthermore, XAMPP is a local server software that offers a free download and easy installation for testing, managing, and developing (for) CMSs. Some of these Content Management Systems are WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, etc. You can use XAMPP to do web development locally on your computer.
Web developers use XAMPP to locally develop, tune, and add final touches to websites before going live on the internet. Despite XAMPP being an acronym, its name has proper meanings.
X for X-Operating system means a cross-operating system or a cross-platform, i.e., the XAMMP components are compatible with all available operating systems.
A for Apache HTTP Server that is also known as Apache.
M for MySQL or My Sequel. This “M” is also used to mean MariaDB. MySQL is a database management software for managing relational databases.
P for PHP, which is a widely used/popular scripting language for web development.
P for Perl, which is a high-level dynamic programming language.
So, XAMPP is an open-sourced cross-platform software bundle with a collection of programming languages for web development. XAMPP is the most popular software for locally installing WordPress on the computer.
Features of XAMPP
- It is an open-source local server.
- Offers easy installation and configuration.
- Supports Apache, MySQL or MariaDB, PHP, and Perl.
- Includes phpMyAdmin.
- Offers ProFTPD.
- Has Mercury Mail Server.
- Has Webalizer, a server log analyzing tool.
- Supports modules and extensions.
- Provides command life shell access.
- It offers a lite and full version.
- Multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, support it.
Pros and cons of XAMPP
Pros:
- XAMPP provides consistent updates to ensure the software has seamless new features and security patches.
- Anyone can create a local server environment for running their applications offline.
- It has all the necessary tools in a single package, which saves time to install them individually.
- XAMPP includes many functional modules, including Joomla, MediaWiki, OpenSSL, phpMyAdmin, WordPress, and more.
Cons:
- New users find it challenging to use, and the learning curve is higher than other alternatives.
👉 How to Install WordPress on Localhost XAMPP
What is WAMP (WampServer)
As with Xampp, WAMP is a name and an acronym simultaneously.
WampServer is a local server development package that consists of essential programs to help developers run WordPress websites or databases locally in the computer environment.
The whole meaning of WAMPServer is:
W for Windows
A for Apache HTTP Server
M for MySQL
P for PHP
The name states the main initial difference between XAMPP and WAMP. WAMP is only available for the Windows operating system.
WAMP creates a bridge between computers and developers. So they can create, run, test, and build WordPress websites locally before uploading them online.
This ensures the project is isolated and hidden until it is ready for the World Wide Web.
WAMP is an alternative and competitor of XAMPP, like MAMP and LocalWP.
Features of WAMP
- WAMP includes Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
- Open source program.
- Simple and easy-to-understand interface.
- Easy-to-use.
- Modular structure.
- It is only compatible with the Windows operating system.
Pros and Cons of WAMP
Pros:
- Effortless and seamless installation as well as configuration process.
- Available for both Windows 64-bit and 32-bit systems.
- The all-in-one package consists of Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin.
- WAMPServer includes many functional modules, including OpenSSL, phpMyAdmin, MediaWiki, and more.
- Frequent updates and security patches.
Cons:
- WAMP is specially designed to be Windows-only software.
👉 Video: How to Install WordPress in WAMP Localhost
XAMPP vs WAMP comparison
Although the primary function of these two are the same, ensuring a local server to host CMS websites or server-based work offline. But still, they both have their own identity.
Supported platforms
XAMPP is a cross / multi-platform software. This means XAMPP is available for multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.
On the other hand, WAMP is only available for the Windows environment.
License
Both of the local server software are free to download. It is licensed under the free software foundation GNU General Public License.
Also, XAMPP is an open-source software for the public to see its development log. WampServer is also an open-source project.
Modules And Extensions
XAMPP offers users many modules and extension support, such as Tomcat, MariaDB, FileZilla, and MercuryMail.
While WampServer also supports modules and extensions, but the numbers are limited because it is only for the Windows operating system.
File Size
Both of the software files are relatively smaller in size, under 1 gigabyte.
XAMPP offers two versions to choose from: a portable and an installer version. The installer version is around 154 megabytes.
Compared to XAMPP, WampServer is larger. The standalone x64 version is more than 640 megabytes.
Perl Support
XAMPP has Perl support, but unfortunately, there is no ready-to-use Perl Support in WAMP.
Architecture Support
XAMPP is only available for x64. However, on the other hand, WAMP has x64 and x84 versions to choose from.
XAMPP vs WAMP (WampServer): Key differences
Despite providing the same functionalities with minor changes, both programs have vital differences that make them unique on their own accord.
Let’s learn what are the key differences between XAMPP and WAMP:
- WAMP is exclusively for the Windows Operating System. In contrast, XAMPP is cross-platform and available for macOS, Linux, and Windows.
- WAMP or WampServer uses less computer resources due to being lightweight. On the other hand, XAMPP uses more resources for having more module components like Tomcat, FileZilla FTP server, Webalizer, and Mercury Mail.
- XAMPP is only available for 64-bit systems, while WampServer has both 64-bit and 32-bit support.
- XAMPP & WAMP both use Apache webserver.
- XAMPP has both Perl high-level programming language and PHP programming language. Meanwhile, WAMP only supports PHP.
- XAMPP is much easier than WAMP, but some new users might find it challenging.
- XAMPP has more features than WampServer.
- XAMPP is more powerful than WAMP.
- WAMP is lightweight compared to XAMPP.
- XAMPP has SSL features, whereas WAMP does not have the SSL feature ready to use like XAMPP.
Which is better, XAMPP or WAMP (WampServer)?
As we have shown, the principal and significant differences and technological advantages of XAMPP and WAMP are detailed. If you want to know the answer, they have no significant differences.
Both of them satisfy their purpose of creation. XAMPP and WAMPServer are software bundles of required programming languages and database management software that are needed to host a website locally.
XAMPP is compatible with many operating systems that can run on popular operating systems, which gives flexibility to transition between different devices.
As opposed to that, WAMPServer does the same work but only in Windows Operating Systems and has fewer functionalities as well as less distraction than XAMPP.
Which one is better depends on you and the users using these programs. One thing to remember is that choosing a local server application has little to do with how good a WordPress developer you are/or will be.
Many people use XAMPP because it’s the most popular local server software out in the market, and some search alternatives for simplicity.
👉 How to Fix the XAMPP HTTP Error 404 (Step by Step)
Final thoughts
Based on the key differences, pros, cons, and comparison, we have concluded that XAMPP and WAMPServer are more or less similar. It can be said that both are just like two sides of a coin.
Since their purpose is to run local servers for testing websites and databases, web and database developers use both software depending on their own preferences.
However, when it comes to the final decision, we must choose a winner out of these two.
So WPGIZ will suggest you listen to your heart. If you are a seasoned developer and programmer looking to change how to install your WordPress website on a PC, you can try WampServer.
But if you want to have local server software on your computer with most of the utilities a developer might need, then XAMPP would be a better choice.
We hope you find our article helpful. Feel free to comment and let us know your thoughts!
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