Navigating the Apache Tomcat download page is the first step toward deploying Java-based web applications on one of the world's most popular open-source servlet containers. Whether you are a developer looking for the latest Jakarta EE features or a system administrator securing a legacy environment, choosing the right distribution is critical. Choosing the Right Tomcat Version
As of May 2026, the Apache Software Foundation maintains several active branches, each supporting different Java specifications: apache tomcat download page
A stable choice for those using Jakarta EE 10 . This version marked the significant shift from the javax.* namespace to jakarta.* . Navigating the Apache Tomcat download page is the
The primary "legacy" branch still in wide use for Java EE 8 applications. Note that official support for this branch is scheduled to end on March 31, 2027 . Binary vs. Source Distributions This version marked the significant shift from the javax
The current cutting-edge version, implementing Jakarta EE 11 specifications such as Servlet 6.1 and JSP 4.0. It requires Java 21 or later for building and running.
The download page offers two primary ways to obtain the software: