Web Application Proxy for Windows Server 2016
Cloud infrastructure automation software
DevOps software
CI/CD tools
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if Web Application Proxy for Windows Server 2016 and its alternatives fit your requirements.
Contact the product provider
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
Small
Medium
Large
-
What is Web Application Proxy for Windows Server 2016
Web Application Proxy (WAP) for Windows Server 2016 is a Windows Server role service that publishes internal web applications to external users and provides reverse-proxy access as part of Microsoft’s Remote Access/AD FS architecture. It is typically used by IT and infrastructure teams to enable secure access to on-premises web apps (including AD FS-protected apps) from outside the corporate network. The product focuses on application publishing, pre-authentication integration with AD FS, and perimeter network deployment rather than build, test, or deployment automation.
Tight AD FS integration
WAP integrates directly with Active Directory Federation Services to provide pre-authentication and claims-based access for published applications. This supports common enterprise patterns such as federated sign-in and conditional access decisions enforced at the identity provider. For organizations already standardized on Windows Server and AD FS, this reduces the need to introduce additional third-party access gateways for these scenarios.
Native Windows Server role
WAP is installed and managed as a Windows Server role service, aligning with Windows administration practices (Server Manager/PowerShell, Group Policy, Windows event logging). It fits well into environments that already operate Windows-based perimeter networks and certificate management. Licensing and support align with Windows Server, which can simplify procurement and operational ownership for Microsoft-centric shops.
Reverse proxy app publishing
WAP provides reverse-proxy publishing for internal HTTP/HTTPS applications, enabling controlled external access without exposing internal servers directly. It supports common perimeter deployment models and can be used to front multiple internal web endpoints. This addresses a specific infrastructure access requirement that is adjacent to, but distinct from, CI/CD and infrastructure automation tooling.
Not a CI/CD tool
WAP does not provide source control, build pipelines, artifact management, or deployment orchestration capabilities. Teams looking for end-to-end DevOps workflows still need separate CI/CD and automation platforms. As a result, it does not directly compete on features such as pipeline-as-code, release governance, or automated environment provisioning.
Windows Server 2016 scope
This product is tied to Windows Server 2016 and its lifecycle, which can constrain long-term platform planning. Organizations may need to evaluate newer Windows Server versions or alternative access solutions as they modernize. Feature evolution is also coupled to Windows Server releases rather than rapid, independent product delivery.
Limited cloud-native alignment
WAP is primarily designed for publishing on-premises web applications and integrating with AD FS, not for cloud-native ingress patterns or service mesh-based access. It is less suited to dynamic, containerized environments where endpoints and routing change frequently. Integrations with modern DevOps ecosystems typically require additional components and operational work.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Web Application Proxy (role) — included with Windows Server Standard edition | No separate price; included in Windows Server license (purchase required). | WAP is a Remote Access role that provides preauthentication and AD FS integration for publishing on-premises web apps. See Microsoft documentation. |
| Web Application Proxy (role) — included with Windows Server Datacenter edition | No separate price; included in Windows Server license (purchase required). | Same as above; available when Remote Access role is installed. |
| Windows Server 2016 Evaluation (Datacenter/Standard) — includes Web Application Proxy during evaluation | Free 180-day evaluation (ISO download from Microsoft Evaluation Center). | Full product evaluation editions expire after 180 days; WAP functionality available when Remote Access role is installed during evaluation. |
Seller details
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond, Washington, United States
1975
Public
https://www.microsoft.com/
https://x.com/Microsoft
https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft/
