Introduction

Before talking about the top frameworks for Java development, it is crucial to know that Java serves as a backend technology. Herein, developers have the flexibility to use various Java frameworks specifically available for backend development. The backend of a website is technically known as its server side.

It organizes and manages data in such a way that the website works efficiently on the client side. The website’s backend is inaccessible and cannot be viewed by the user. The developers use the latest backend technologies with its core being the Java framework.

What is a Java Framework?

Java framework is a collection of pre-defined codes used by developers for web application development. These frameworks in Java are functions and classes that control hardware, process input, and communicate with system applications. These frameworks have pre-written codes and libraries which eliminates the need for the developers to write every piece of code from scratch. Java frameworks are also referred to as libraries and APIs.

However, picking the correct Java framework can be a difficult task. Don’t worry! In this blog, you will learn about some of the best frameworks of Java for web development.

Why Use Java Framework?

The frameworks of Java play an important role in establishing a systematic approach to application development. By creating customized frameworks for testing, online applications, and object-relational mapping (ORM), developers can automate various tasks ensuring dependable outcome generation.

For example, Java web development frameworks consist of both backend and frontend frameworks simplifying the lives of developers and allowing them to focus on business logic rather than generic code employed across a domain or application.

Market Overview of Java Frameworks in 2024

The market for Java frameworks is poised for significant growth in 2024, driven by the increasing adoption of backend and enterprise-level technologies. Prominent frameworks such as Spring, Hibernate, and Micronaut continue to dominate, thanks to their robust ecosystems and support for cloud-native and microservice architectures. Additionally, new trends such as AR/VR development and expanded mobile applications further boost Java’s relevance, particularly on the Android platform.

Spring Framework, in particular, has seen increased adoption across enterprises, offering powerful dependency injection and integrations for building scalable systems. Hibernate remains essential for simplifying database management with its ORM capabilities. Meanwhile, frameworks like Micronaut cater to modern, lightweight microservices, addressing the growing demand for highly performant cloud applications.

Regional trends indicate strong demand for Java-based solutions in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, fueled by industries such as finance, retail, and telecommunications. The focus on cloud solutions is also growing, with many frameworks shifting toward SaaS or hybrid-cloud models.

This expanding market also reflects the global talent demand, with Java developers commanding competitive salaries. In North America, salaries for experienced Java developers range between $120,000 to $180,000 annually, while developers in Eastern Europe earn around $60,000 per year. This makes us curious about how to find the best Java development services for our web development projects. We’ll talk about that too, but let us first know the best Java development frameworks available at ease.

Top Web Development Frameworks for Java?

Best Java Frameworks

1. Spring

Spring is a lightweight Java Web Development Framework that opiates as an open-source platform. It offers the essential infrastructure for the development of Java applications. Commonly known as the Java Enterprise Edition (JEE) framework, Spring allows developers to develop high-performing applications by using plain old Java objects (POJOs).

Key Features

  • Admin Features
  • Properties Files
  • Type-Safe Configuration
  • Externalized Configuration
  • Web Development
  • Application Listeners and Events

Advantages and Disadvantages of Spring

Advantages Disadvantages
  • Lightweight design for server-independent triggering
  • Support for XML, annotation-based configuration, modularity
  • POJO model for lightweight class structure
  • Support for declarative programming
  • Flexible Configuration Methods
  • Large ecosystem, supportive community, videos
  • Developers focus simply on business logic
  • Comprehensive third-party libraries
  • Eliminates manual dependency management
  • Free module association and easy testing
  • Suitable for all web development layers
  • High Emphasis on Flexibility
  • Potential complexity for newcomers
  • Lengthy preparation procedure

2. Google Web Toolkit (GWT)

Google Web Toolkit, is one of the most preferred Java Frameworks for software developers. This is the best Java Web UI framework having a huge open-source community ensuring as many apps developed with GWT. The framework is extremely lightweight which makes it easy to integrate.

Key Features of GWT

  • Simple RPC mechanism
  • Provides full-featured Java Debugging Support
  • Unit Testing Integration
  • Reusable and Dynamic UI Components
  • Browser History Management
  • Support for localization and Internationalization

Advantages and Disadvantages of GWT

Advantages Disadvantages
  • Java to JavaScript Compilation
  • Security
  • Code Reusability
  • Cross-browser Compatibility
  • Strong Typing
  • Built-in Debugging
  • Rich Widgets and UI Components
  • Limited Community Support
  • Slow Compilation
  • Steep Learning Curve

3. Hibernate

Hibernate, standing out as one of the leading frameworks in web development offers a valuable abstraction layer. With this framework, the developers are relieved from the pressure of handling implementation as it efficiently manages performance internally. This includes tasks such as establishing connections and writing queries for performing CRUD operations, making it a prominent choice and securing its position at the top of the frameworks Java.

Key Features of Hibernate

  • Object-Relational Mapping (ORM)
  • Lightweight
  • Caching
  • High Performance
  • Hibernate Query Language (HQL)
  • Auto Generation

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hibernate

Advantages Disadvantages
  • Lightweight, easily modifiable, scalable, and configurable
  • Simple API for writing and retrieving Java objects from the database
  • Excellent Command-line tools and IDE plugins
  • Compatible with both RDBMS and NoSQL databases
  • Streamline data manipulation requires less code
  • Operates with no need for an application server
  • Fetching strategies that minimize database access
  • Lower performance for complex queries
  • Complexity can be challenging for beginners
  • Steep Learning curve.

4. Struts

Struts stand out as one of the premier frameworks for Java Development that uses a range of technologies like JSP, JSTL, XML, and more. This framework follows MVC architecture, serving as a robust Java MVC framework with an integrated validation system. Strut’s strength lies in its flexible model layer that seamlessly integrates with leading Java frameworks such as Spring, Hibernate, JDBC, and others.

Key Features

  • Actions based on Plain Old Java Objects (POJOs)
  • Seamless Integration Support
  • Extensive Tag Support
  • Template and Theme Compatibility
  • Configurable Model-View-Controller (MVC) Elements
  • Support for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML

Advantages and Disadvantages of Struts

Advantages Disadvantages
  • The steep learning curve for beginners
  • Documentation is based on active web developers
  • Provides XML files for centralized configuration
  • Follows application development based on MVC
  • Limited AJAX support in Strut 1.X
  • Configuration complexity with extensive XML files
  • Verbosity can lead to larger codebases
  • Potential for tight coupling between components
  • Limited built-in support for RESTful services
  • Faces competition for newer, more modern frameworks

5. Play

Play is a resilient open-source framework of Java tailored for web development. It is ranked among the top Java REST API frameworks. It provides type-safe RESTful web services through Scala and includes key components like a web server, an application server, and a profiler. Using the Scala programming language significantly contributes to the efficiency of the development process.

Key Features of Play

  • Powerful Build and Console Tools
  • Built-in Testing Tools
  • Streamlined Hit Refresh Workflow
  • IDE support for IntelliJ IDEA and Eclipse
  • Type Safety
  • High-performance app development

Advantages and Disadvantages of Play

Advantages Disadvantages
  • User-friendly integration with play-JSON and play-WS
  • Numerous components available as independent competencies
  • Powerful Test Libraries
  • Support from Saclatst and Specs2
  • Facilitates hot swapping of class files for improved development speed
  • Simplifies end-to-end testing
  • Compatibility with FluentLenium
  • Designed with a functional programming core
  • Allows hot swapping of class files
  • Occasional Volatility
  • Steep learning curve
  • Recently shifted to dependency injection by default.
  • Backward compatibility issues.

6. Grails

Grails, a top open-source framework in Java, is used to create dynamic web applications using Java, Groovy, and SQL. This powerful framework helps develop dynamic websites and applications in less time and effort with groovy language. Grails is a leading development platform that is used to develop enterprise applications, dynamic websites, and mobile applications.

Key Features of Grails

  • Spring Boot Foundation
  • Optimum Reloading Agent
  • Plugin Library
  • Seamless Java Integration
  • Built-in Testing Framework
  • Groovy Lineage

Advantages and Disadvantages of Grails

Advantages Disadvantages
  • Spring Boot Integration
  • Hot Reloading
  • Rich set of plugins to extend functionality
  • Rapid Development
  • Built-in ORM
  • Auto-generates code for CRUD operation, speeding development
  • Simplifies Java Development with dynamic features of Groovy.
  • Steep Learning Curve
  • Smaller community support compared to other frameworks in Java
  • Fewer integrations with modern IDEs and tools
  • Limited Scalability, Not suitable for very large-scale applications
  • Higher memory consumption

7. JavaServer Faces

JavaServer Faces (JSF) is an open-source framework that is used to develop rich interfaces using Java. It is one of the best web UI frameworks of Java that provides components for designing user interfaces. JSF meaning JavaServer Face is a framework that works with Java Servlet API and JavaServer Pages (JSP) technology.

Key Features of JavaServer Faces

  • Built on top of the Servlet API
  • Automatic State Management
  • Reliable and Stable Java Framework
  • Component-Based Architecture
  • Follows MVC software design

Advantages and Disadvantages of JavaServer Faces

Advantages Disadvantages
  • Simplifies UI development with reusable components
  • Integration with Java EE
  • Automates request handling and event processing
  • Rich Standard Components
  • Supported by IDEs like IntelliJ and Eclipse for faster development
  • Backed by Oracle, strong enterprise support and long-term stability
  • State Management
  • Steep Learning Curve
  • Outdated design
  • Customizing components can be challenging
  • Can be slower due to heavy abstractions
  • Not ideal for REST APIs

8. Dropwizard

Dropwizard framework helps in the creation of RESTful services. It majorly relies on hibernate, a powerful data access layer offering object database functionality. Using a client API for database access, this framework establishes secure communication between the app and the database through an HTTP-based API.

Key Features of Dropwizard

  • Incorporates the Hibernate Validator API
  • Packages each application as a JAR instead of a War File
  • Facilitates Monitoring through the Metrics library
  • Uses LogBack and SLF4J for Logging

Advantages and Disadvantages of Dropwizard

Advantages Disadvantages
  • Scalable
  • Simple to set up and get started with
  • Includes mature Java libraries
  • Has good convention
  • Provides extensive documentation
  • Provides many features without becoming too complicated
  • Assumptions constantly change and distribution and monitoring are generally complex
  • The distribution environment requires constant testing

9. Vaadin

Vaadin, one of the premier Java frameworks, allows developers to build robust, cross-platform compatible web applications. Based on the Java programming language, Vaadin uses Java Swing components to develop web applications and features a UI builder allowing designers to create interactive and attractive UI.

Key Features of Vaadin Framework Java

  • Includes two pre-built themes - Material and Lumo
  • Styling options directly from Java
  • Seamless navigation without reloading the full page
  • Exclusive Java-only type-safe web development
  • Java API for web-based elements
  • Accommodation of Deep Linking and Back Button Functionality

Advantages and Disadvantages of Vaadin

Advantages Disadvantages
  • No need to develop web services, enhance security
  • Displays the UI directly in the browser
  • Uses existing Java libraries and tools
  • Easier Java code writing and debugging
  • AJAX interaction between the web browser and the server
  • Requires substantial server memory for UI rendering
  • Challenges in achieving scalability with the solution
  • Needs Java API for widget development

10. Wicket

Wicket is yet another framework in Java that enables you to create a full-featured web application using Java programming. This framework is fully compatible with J2EE containers such as Tomcat, Glassfish, Geronimo, and JBoss EAP.

Key Features of Wicket

  • Configurable MVC components
  • AJAX support
  • Various Result Types
  • Theme and template support
  • POJO based Actions
  • Integration support

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wicket

Advantages Disadvantages
  • Customizable components to fit specific needs
  • AJAX components are built-in, enabling dynamic UIs without extra JavaScript
  • Offer built-in protection against common security vulnerabilities
  • Allows reusable UI components, simplifying development
  • Cleanly separates Java Code and HTML templates
  • Can load to excessive boilerplate for complex UIs
  • Smaller community compared to modern Java frameworks
  • Better suited for traditional web apps rather than stateless API services

11. Blade

The blade framework comes up as the top choice for Java development as it offers a lightweight and high-performance MVC architecture for Java Web Development. Commonly known for its efficiency, it is a major choice for full-stack web application development. Additionally, this framework is built upon Java Version 8.

Key Features of Blade Java Framework

  • Modular Approach
  • RESTful Style Routing Interface
  • Support Plugin Extension Mechanism
  • Embedded Template Engine and Jetty Server Support
  • Supports jdk 1.6 and other higher versions
  • Lightweight

Advantages and Disadvantages of Blade

Advantages Disadvantages
  • No external dependencies
  • Easy deployment process
  • Lightweight framework with minimal footprint
  • Built-in web server
  • Template Support
  • Short learning curve
  • Limited availability of tutorials and example projects
  • Decreased developer activity

12. ATG

ATG is a Java-based web-commerce platform that stands out as a flexible and customizable framework for developing eCommerce websites. ATG is owned by Oracle and is designed to support both large and complex B2B and B2C applications. While ATG may be a bit expensive for the small scale projects, it is an ideal choice for businesses who want to delve into eCommerce website development. Learning ATG can boost your technical skills and deepen your domain understanding.

Key Features of ATG

  • Personalization Capabilities
  • Data Anywhere Architecture
  • Payment Integration Support
  • Application Server Support
  • ATG content administrations tools
  • ATG Merchandising Concepts Provision

Advantages and Disadvantages of ATG

Advantages Disadvantages
  • Includes both B2B and B2C offerings
  • Allow owners to manage and sell complex services and products
  • Personalization available for better client experience
  • Customizable campaigns, sites, and content
  • Versatility in handling complex products and services
  • Complexity and Learning curve
  • High implementation and maintenance  costs
  • Limited Community compared to other open-source platforms.
  • Resource Intensive
  • Dependency on Java
  • Potential for over-engineering

Benefits of Using Java Frameworks for Web Development

Below are some of the top benefits of using Java and frameworks for web development

1. Code Simplification

Java frameworks help simplify code by reducing the need to write everything from scratch. With built-in libraries and preset codes, developers can significantly cut down redundant code.

2. Multiple Development Options

These frameworks offer diverse features and tools, enabling developers to create responsive applications efficiently by following established standards and rules.

3. Security and Reliability

Java frameworks enhance application security with reliable libraries, secure algorithms, and adaptive methods, ensuring smooth, disruption-free performance.

4. Better Support

Many Java frameworks have active communities, forums, and extensive documentation, providing quick solutions to problems and facilitating continuous learning.

5. Enhanced Efficiency

Frameworks streamline development by offering predefined functions, reducing the time and effort required for repetitive tasks, and accelerating the overall process.

Framework Strength Weakness Ideal For
Spring Lightweight, flexible, modular Complex for beginners Enterprise applications of all sizes
GWT Java-to-JavaScript Compilation, Cross-browser compatibility Steep learning curve, slow compilation Building rich, client-side applications
Hibernate Powerful ORM, simplifies data access Difficult to learn for beginners Development with relational databases
Struts MVC architecture, integrates with other frameworks Steeper learning curve, complex configuration, limited AJAX support Traditional web application development with JSP and JSTL
Play Type-safe REST APIs, Scala Integration Backward compatibility issues, steeper learning curve Building high-performance web services
Grails Rapid development, Groovy integration, built-in ORM Performance issues, smaller community Developing web applications with dynamic scripting
JavaServer Faces Component based UI, part of Java EE ecosystem Outdated design, limited client-side interactivity Enterprise web applications with complex UI requirements
Dropwizard Scalable, simple to set up, secure Assumptions can change, needs constant testing Developing RESTful services with Hibernate Integration
Vaadin Cross-platform UI, drag-and-drop builder, Java-only development Requires significant server memory, challenges in scalability Creating rich web applications with minimal JavaScript
Wicket Component oriented, Reusable UI components Steep learning curve, higher memory usage Building stateful, component-based web applications
Blade Lightweight, MVC architecture, efficient Limited tutorials and examples, decreases developer activity Rapid development of full-stack web applications
ATG Flexible, customizable for B2B/B2C eCommerce Complex, expensive for small projects, limited community Large-scale eCommerce websites with advanced features

With these options, you can explore various Java with framework combinations that aligns with your project’s specific needs.

Conclusion

So, above were some of the best Java frameworks for web application development. Undoubtedly, after seeing so many frameworks in Java, you might havegot confused with which one to choose. Well, it depends on the niche and needs of your business.

Technology is moving so fast and you need to match the pace in order to stay in the competition. So, to clear your confusion and get your web application developed by professional, get in touch with a best Java Development company like WEDOWEBAPPS and discuss your business requirements.