What is the difference between Tomcat and TomEE, TomEE and TomEE Plus

Question

I want to deploy EJB ear in a server but I am really confused about choosing a server among tomcat, TomEE and TomEE Plus.

1. What are the differences between Tomcat and TomEE?
2. What are the new features in TomEE and TomEE Plus?
3. In which case(s) does it make sense to go for TomEE and TomEE Plus?

so I need some suggestions in order to be able to make an informed decision.

Answer 1

This is functions comparison matrix between Tomcat, TomEE and TomEE+:

(Source: http://tomee.apache.org/comparison.html)

1. Tomcat vs TomEE
Tomcat is servlet container that supports servlet and JSP technology. TomEE is more extensive than Tomcat supporting many other Java EE technologies (specificed by JSR-xxx).

2. Compare TomEE vs TomEE+

TomEE contains:
CDI - Apache OpenWebBeans
EJB - Apache OpenEJB
JPA - Apache OpenJPA
JSF - Apache MyFaces
JSP - Apache Tomcat
JSTL - Apache Tomcat
JTA - Apache Geronimo Transaction
Servlet - Apache Tomcat
Javamail - Apache Geronimo JavaMail
Bean Validation - Apache BVal

TomEE+
The TomEE Plus distribution adds the following:
JAX-RS - Apache CXF
JAX-WS - Apache CXF
JMS - Apache ActiveMQ
Connector - Apache Geronimo Connector

(Source: http://tomee.apache.org/apache-tomee.html)
What is new in Tomcat? Of cource, see Tomcat change log.
What is new in TomEE plus? see TomEE change log.

3. Choose TomEE or TomEE plus?
See functions matrix at the above, pick your functions in your application what you will use. Then choose Servlet container/ Web profile application server / Application server by yourself.