A Java framework serves as a collection of predefined code utilized by developers for creating web applications. Within the realm of Java development, these frameworks consist of classes and functions that manage hardware, handle input and facilitate communication with system applications. Essentially, Java frameworks include pre-existing codes and libraries enabling developers to build applications without the need to write every piece of code from scratch.
However, selecting the most suitable Java framework might be a stressful task. But don’t worry! This blog will guide you through some of the top Java frameworks for web development.
Table of Contents
What is a Java Framework?
Before delving into the leading frameworks for Java development, it’s important to grasp that Java mainly serves as a backend technology. Developers have the flexibility to explore and utilize various Java frameworks specifically designed for backend development. The backend of a website is commonly referred to as its server side.
It manages and organizes data while ensuring the proper functioning of the website’s client side. This is the website’s backend, which is inaccessible and not viewable. Developers utilize the latest backend technologies with the core being the Java framework. Now, let’s delve into an exploration of Java frameworks.
A Java framework serves as a set of pre-existing code components utilized by developers for creating web applications. In Java development, these frameworks consist of classes and functions responsible for managing hardware, handling input and interacting with system applications.
They include pre-written code snippets and libraries that streamline the application development process by allowing developers to build applications without having to code everything from scratch. Additionally, these frameworks are open-source in nature.
Java frameworks are commonly referred to as libraries and APIs.
Why Use Java Frameworks?
Java frameworks play an important role in establishing a systematic approach to application development. By creating frameworks tailored for testing, online applications and object-relational mapping (ORM), programmers can automate diverse tasks ensuring the generation of dependable outcomes.
In essence, Java web development frameworks consist of both front-end and back-end frameworks simplifying developers’ lives and enabling them to focus on business logic rather than generic code employed across a domain or application.
Java Frameworks Market Overview for 2024
According to W3Techs, Java leads the market in both Java framework adoption and web traffic when compared to other popular server-side programming languages. Java finds applications in nearly every major industry and economic sector. This widespread popularity has led to the emergence of a diverse range of Java web frameworks designed to address various programming challenges.
Over the last two years, the worldwide Java community has experienced a twofold growth, surging from 8.3 million to 16.5 million individuals securing the third position after JavaScript and Python, as reported by SlashData.
This expansion can be attributed not only to the rise in conventional backend and mobile development but also to the escalating utilization of Java in AR/VR projects. The popularity of the Android platform is driving this trend in various endeavors. If you’re thinking about making a website like Udemy, you might be surprised to know that Java is a key part of the main foundation of Udemy’s technology.
Similarly, when we talk about using frameworks, let’s consider Spring. It’s a popular and free tool for Java. In 2022, it became even more popular, and this increase matches the overall rise in the use of Java.
When we talk about how much it costs to hire someone for a job, like a Java developer, different factors affect the salary. In North America, the average yearly salary for a Java developer is $120,000, but it can go up to $180,000. In Eastern Europe, the average salary is around $62,000 per year. This makes us wonder how to find the best Java development services we need at a reasonable cost.
But, before we go into that, let’s first understand what a Java framework is.
Best Java Frameworks for Web Development
1. Spring
Spring, a lightweight Java web development framework, operates as an open-source platform offering essential infrastructure for the development of Java applications. Renowned as a prominent Java Enterprise Edition (JEE) framework, Spring enables developers to build high-performance applications by utilizing plain old Java objects (POJOs).
Key Features of Spring
- Type-safe Configuration
- Administrative Capabilities
- Properties Files
- Web Development
- Externalized Configuration
- Application Listeners and Events
| Advantages of Spring | Disadvantages of Spring |
|---|---|
| Emphasis on flexibility | Potential complexity for newcomers |
| Lightweight design for server-independent triggering | Lengthy preparation procedure (addressed by Spring Boot) |
| Developers focus solely on business logic | |
| Support for XML, annotation-based config, modularity | |
| Suitable for all web app development layers | |
| POJO model for lightweight class structure | |
| Free module association and easy testing | |
| Support for declarative programming | |
| Eliminates manual dependency management | |
| Flexible configuration methods | |
| Comprehensive third-party libraries | |
| Large ecosystem, supportive community, tutorials | |
| Developer focus solely on business logic |
2. Hibernate
Hibernate stands out as one of the leading frameworks in web development offering a valuable abstraction layer. With Hibernate, developers are relieved of the burden of handling implementations as the framework efficiently manages performance internally.
This includes tasks such as establishing connections and crafting queries for operations like CRUD making it a prominent choice and securing its place at the forefront of Java frameworks.
Key Features of Hibernate
- Object-relational Mapping (ORM)
- Lightweight
- Caching
- High Performance
- Hibernate Query Language (HQL)
- Auto-generation
| Advantages of Hibernate | Disadvantages of Hibernate |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and easily scalable, modifiable & configurable | Lower performance for complex queries |
| Simple API for writing & retrieving Java objects from the database | Complexity can be challenging for beginners |
| Streamlined data manipulation requiring less code | Steep learning curve |
| Fetching strategies that minimize database access | |
| Operates without the need for an application server | |
| Compatible with both RDBMS and NoSQL databases | |
| Excellent command-line tools and IDE plugins |
3. Play
Play is a resilient open-source framework tailored for Java web development, ranking among the top Java REST API frameworks. Offering type-safe RESTful Web Services through Scala, this framework includes essential components like a web server, an application server, and a web profiler.
The utilization of the Scala programming language significantly contributes to the efficiency of the development process.
Key Features of Play
- Robust 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 of Play | Disadvantages of Play |
|---|---|
| User-friendly integration with play-JSON and play-WS | Backward compatibility issues |
| Numerous components available as independent dependencies | Occasional volatility |
| Robust test libraries | Steep learning curve |
| Support from Scalatest and Specs2 | Recently shifted to dependency injection by default |
| Facilitates hot swapping of class files for enhanced development speed | |
| Simplifies end-to-end testing | |
| Compatibility with FluentLenium | |
| Designed with a functional programming core | |
| Allows hot swapping of class files |
4. Dropwizard
Dropwizard, an open-source Java development framework facilitates the creation of RESTful services. It mainly relies on Hibernate, a robust data access layer offering object database functionality.
Utilizing a client API for database access, Dropwizard establishes secure communication between the application 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
- Utilizes Logback and SLF4J for Logging
| Advantages of Dropwizard | Disadvantages of Dropwizard |
|---|---|
| Scalable | Assumptions constantly change, and distribution and monitoring are complex |
| Simple to set up and get started with | The distributed environment needs constant testing |
| Provides many features without becoming too complicated | |
| Includes mature Java libraries | |
| Has good conventions | |
| Provides extensive documentation |
5. Vaadin
Vaadin stands out as one of the premier open-source Java frameworks for web development. It allows developers to build robust, cross-platform-compatible web applications.
Developed in the Java programming language, Vaadin utilizes Java Swing components to create web applications and features a UI builder enabling designers to create intuitive UI layouts.
Key Features of Vaadin
- Inclusion of Two Pre-built Themes: Material and Lumo
- Styling Options Directly from Java
- Seamless Navigation without Full Page Reloading
- Exclusive Java-only Type-safe Web Development
- Java API for Web-based Elements
- Accommodation of Deep Linking and Back Button Functionality
| Advantages of Vaadin | Disadvantages of Vaadin |
|---|---|
| No need to develop web services, enhance security | Requires substantial server memory for UI rendering |
| Displays the UI directly in the browser | Challenges in achieving scalability with the solution |
| AJAX interaction between the web browser & the server | Requires Java API for widget development |
| Easier Java code writing and debugging | |
| Utilizes existing Java libraries and tools | |
| No need to develop web services, enhancing security |
6. Blade
The Blade framework stands out as one of the top choices for Java development offering a lightweight and high-performance MVC architecture for Java web development.
Renowned for its efficiency, it is a popular choice for full-stack web application development. Additionally, the Blade framework is built upon Java Version 8.
Key Features of Blade
- Modular Approach
- The RESTful Style Routing Interface
- Support Plugin Extension Mechanism
- Embedded Template Engine and Jetty Server Support
- Lightweight
- Supports jdk1.6 and Other Higher Versions
| Advantages of Blade | Disadvantages of Blade |
|---|---|
| No external dependencies | Limited availability of tutorials and example projects |
| Easy deployment process | Decreased developer activity recently |
| Lightweight framework with minimal footprint | |
| Built-in web server | |
| Template support | |
| Short learning curve |
7. ATG
ATG, a Java-based web commerce platform stands out as a flexible and customizable framework for developing eCommerce websites. Owned by Oracle, ATG is designed to support both large and intricate B2B and B2C applications.
While it may be on the pricier side for small-scale projects, it proves to be an ideal framework for those looking to delve into eCommerce website development. Learning ATG can significantly boost your technical skills and deepen your understanding of the domain.
Continuous Deployment Principles
- Personalization Capabilities
- Data Anywhere Architecture
- Payment Integration Support
- Application Server Support
- ATG Content Administration Tools
- ATG Merchandising Concepts Provision
| Advantages of ATG | Disadvantages of ATG |
|---|---|
| Includes both B2B and B2C offerings | Complexity and Learning Curve |
| Enables owners to manage & sell complex services & products | High Implementation and Maintenance Costs |
| Personalization available for a better client experience | Limited Community Compared to Open Source Solutions |
| Customizable campaigns, sites and content | Resource Intensive |
| Versatility in handling complex products and services | Dependency on Java |
| Potential for Over-engineering |
8. Struts
Struts stand out as a premier framework for Java development utilizing a range of technologies like JSP, JSTL, XML, and more. This framework implements the MVC architecture serving as a robust Java MVC framework with a built-in validation framework.
Struts’ strength lies in its versatile model layer seamlessly integrated with other leading Java frameworks such as Spring, Hibernate, JDBC, and others.
Key Features of Struts
- Actions Based on Plain Old Java Objects (POJO)
- Seamless Integration Support
- Extensive Tag Support
- Template and Theme Compatibility
- Configurable Model-View-Controller (MVC) Elements
- Support for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX)
| Advantages of Struts | Disadvantages of Struts |
|---|---|
| The steep learning curve for beginners | Limited AJAX support in Struts 1. x |
| Documentation is based on active web developers | Configuration complexity with extensive XML files |
| Provides XML files for centralized configuration | Limited AJAX support in Struts 1.x |
| Follows application development based on MVC | Verbosity can lead to larger codebases |
| Potential for tight coupling between components | |
| Limited built-in support for RESTful services | |
| Faces competition from newer, more modern frameworks |
Comparison of Popular Java Frameworks
| Framework | Strengths | Weaknesses | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | – Lightweight, flexible, modular | – Can be complex for beginners | – Building enterprise applications of all sizes |
| Hibernate | – Powerful ORM, simplifies data access | – Can be challenging to learn for beginners | – Efficient development with relational databases |
| Play | – Type-safe REST APIs, Scala integration | – Backward compatibility issues, steeper learning curve | – Building high-performance web services |
| 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 with scalability | – Creating rich web applications with minimal JavaScript |
| Blade | – Lightweight, MVC architecture, efficient | – Limited tutorials and examples, decreased developer activity | – Rapid development of full-stack web applications |
| ATG | – Flexible, customizable for B2B/B2C eCommerce | – Complex, expensive for small projects, limited community | – Building large-scale eCommerce websites with advanced features |
| Struts | – MVC architecture, integrates with other frameworks | – Steeper learning curve, complex configuration, limited AJAX support | – Traditional web application development with JSP and JSTL |
Conclusion
This blog explores some of the most popular Java frameworks for web development. These frameworks are well-suited for creating applications intended to run on servers. The experienced backend developers at HashStudioz Technologies can assist you with your Java development projects offering a high-performance Java web application framework. Our experts at HashStudioz utilize the best tools and technologies to ensure the success of your project.
Additionally, they can customize your chosen technology to build the desired functionalities for your web application. Don’t hesitate any longer – the HashStudioz team is ready and eager to assist you. Hire Java developers to discuss your project requirements and start collaborating today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to hire dedicated Java developers?
The cost to hire dedicated Java developers varies based on experience and location. General ranges:
- Junior: $25,000 to $70,000 per year
- Mid-Level: $70,000 to $120,000 per year
- Senior: $120,000 to $180,000+ per year
Freelance rates: $20 to $100+ per hour. Costs also depend on project complexity, location, and negotiation. Use platforms or agencies may incur additional fees.
2. How do I become a certified Java Developer?
Learn Java Basics: Master the fundamentals of Java programming.
Take Courses and Practice: Enroll in Java courses, practice coding regularly, and work on projects.
Explore Frameworks: Familiarize yourself with Java frameworks like Spring and Hibernate.
Study Data Structures and Algorithms: Understand key concepts for certification exams.
Prepare and Get Certified: Consider the Oracle Certified Java Programmer (OCPJP) certification.
Join Communities: Engage with Java developer communities for support and learning.
Stay Updated: Keep abreast of Java trends and advancements.
Create a Portfolio: Highlight your projects and demonstrate your skills.
Apply for Jobs: Start applying for Java developer positions when confident in your abilities.
Continuous Learning: Stay proactive in improving your skills and adapting to new technologies.
Manvendra Kunwar 
Saurabh Tiwari