Between IIS and Kestrel, which one do you choose?

Question

In what scenarios would it be more beneficial to use IIS over Kestrel for hosting ASP.NET Core applications, considering factors like security, integration with Windows services, and deployment environments?

Edited by block blast

Sangeetha S · Answer

Hi, Application requires advanced security features, integration with Windows services, or is deployed in a Windows Server environment, IIS might be the better choice. Looking for a lightweight, high-performance, cross-platform solution, Kestrel could be best choice.

Aymen Amri · Answer

If you're using containers like docker, Kesterl would be a better option. Regards

Jayraj Chhaya · Answer

Hi, Choosing between IIS and Kestrel for hosting ASP.NET Core applications largely depends on your specific requirements. IIS is a robust web server that provides advanced features such as security, application pool management, and integration with Windows services. It is particularly beneficial in enterprise environments where security and stability are paramount. For instance, if your application requires Windows Authentication or needs to interact with other Windows services, IIS is the preferred choice. On the other hand, Kestrel is a lightweight, cross-platform web server that excels in performance and is ideal for microservices or cloud-based applications. It is often used in conjunction with a reverse proxy like IIS or Nginx for enhanced security and load balancing. In summary, if your application demands high security and integration with Windows services, opt for IIS. However, for high-performance scenarios or when deploying in a cloud environment, Kestrel may be more advantageous. // Example of configuring Kestrel in Program.cs public class Program { public static void Main(string[] args) { CreateHostBuilder(args).Build().Run(); } public static IHostBuilder CreateHostBuilder(string[] args) => Host.CreateDefaultBuilder(args) .ConfigureWebHostDefaults(webBuilder => { webBuilder.UseKestrel(); webBuilder.UseStartup (); }); }

Between IIS and Kestrel, which one do you choose?

Answers (3)