Five Apps: Free Apache servers for Windows

WAMP Server 1

Five Apps

1. WAMP Server

WAMP Server is an outstanding choice for those looking for a solid Apache server on a Windows desktop. This particular take on the WAMP server offers a great user interface for quick access to: WWW directory, Apache configurations, PHP configurations, MySQL configurations, quick start/stop for all services. WAMP Server also offers plenty of Apache, PHP, and MySQL add-ons to further extend your server. With the inclusion of PhpMyAdmin, you can easily manage your MySQL databases connected to the Apache server. This means you can install third-party software like WordPress, Drupal, Xoops, and Joomla.

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WAMP Server 2

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Secure WAMP 1

2. Secure WAMP

Secure WAMP is another take on the WAMP server that can have you up and running in minutes. With this server you'll get the usual tools, plus the Mercury Mail server and (as loadable add-ins) Python and Perl. One unique feature to Secure WAMP is the ability to easily choose between development and production settings. Secure WAMP has a centralized control panel where all services can be controlled. With the help of a 1-click installer, you can add quickly install applications like phpBB, WordPress, and more.

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Secure WAMP 2

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EasyPHP 1

3. EasyPHP

EasyPHP is one of the more powerful WAMP servers available. With an admin module that offers tools like: Backup, bandwidth Throttle, DNS Admin, permission Manager, PHPInfo, phpSysInfo, user shadowing, updates, cron Manager, password protected directories, metatag generator, and more - EasyPHP makes for a highly configurable web server. Database management is handled by PhpMyAdmin and you can set up FTP accounts (with FTP Jailing), manage domains, and much more. If you're looking for ease of use along with power and flexibility, EasyPHP is the WAMP you want.

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EasyPHP 2

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UwAMP 1

4. UwAMP

UwAMP is unique in that you can either install the server or run it as a portable application (in U3 Mode). This means you can carry a powerful development server with you, everywhere you go. Like the other entries here, UwAMP offers an easy to use interface as well as: Multi-PHP versions and CPU monitoring (real time Apache and MySQL monitoring). From the single-window control panel you can get an at-a-glance status update of the server as well as quick access to all of the configuration folders.

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UwAMP 2

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Uniform Server 1

5. Uniform Server

Uniform Server is a lightweight version of the Apache server (coming in at under 10MB). Uniform Server offers the full Apache server as well as a PHP mini server. The PHP mini server offers a graphical interface for the built-in PHP web server. Features of Uniform Server include: High security, portable version, quick access to all server settings, full host of logs, Perl scripting, and more. This is another great solution for anyone that wants to carry around a full Apache server on a USB drive. When you unpack Uniform Server, you will find two different executables: One to start Uniform as a program and one to start Uniform as a service. To run as a portable version, simply double-click the "run as program" file and you're good to go.

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Uniform Server 2

Bottom line

There are so many reasons why Apache is one of the most used web servers on the planet. Not only is it incredibly powerful and flexible, it's also a cross-platform server that can be used on nearly any operating system. Give one of these WAMP servers a try and see if you're not serving up web content from your Windows machine with little to no fuss.

Credit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic article.