Apache HTTP Server vs. Java vs. Kestrel vs. Mako Server Comparison Chart

The Java™ Programming Language is a general-purpose, concurrent, strongly typed, class-based object-oriented language. It is normally compiled to the bytecode instruction set and binary format defined in the Java Virtual Machine Specification. In the Java programming language, all source code is first written in plain text files ending with the .java extension. Those source files are then compiled into .class files by the javac compiler. A .class file does not contain code that is native to your processor; it instead contains bytecodes — the machine language of the Java Virtual Machine1 (Java VM). The java launcher tool then runs your application with an instance of the Java Virtual Machine.

The Mako Server is a compact, event-driven web and application server designed for resource-constrained systems. Engineered for embedded environments, it combines a lightweight HTTP/HTTPS server with a Lua scripting engine, enabling high-level development with direct access to low-level C code. Its architecture delivers high performance, low memory use, and secure integration, making it ideal for systems that can’t support heavier frameworks but require dynamic web interfaces or APIs. The server supports live updates, built-in debugging, and Lua Server Pages (LSP), offering PHP-like scripting optimized for embedded use. Common use cases include device portals, diagnostic dashboards, REST APIs, and real-time WebSocket interfaces. Lua’s speed and small footprint align perfectly with the Mako Server’s goals. More than just a web server, Mako is a comprehensive framework that enables developers to integrate modern, secure, web-enabled features into compact devices.