Top 10 Java Frameworks in 2025

Last Updated : 07 Nov, 2024

In today's digital world, web applications play a crucial role across various industries. Building robust and scalable applications often requires choosing the right development tools. Among these tools, Java frameworks stand out for their efficiency and reliability, making them a popular choice for enterprise-level development. This article explores the top 10 Java frameworks that developers can leverage in 2025 to create powerful web applications.

Table of Content

We'll delve into their unique features and functionalities, aiding developers in selecting the Java framework best suited for their specific project needs

What is Java?

Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language widely used for developing various applications, including web applications, enterprise software, mobile apps, big data applications, and more. It was created by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems (later acquired by Oracle) in 1991 to be portable, secure, and robust.

Here are some key features of Java that contribute to its popularity:

Platform-independent: Java code can run on any platform with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed, making it "write once, run anywhere."
Object-oriented: Java promotes object-oriented programming principles, allowing for better code organization, reusability, and maintainability.
Secure: Java incorporates various security features to protect applications from vulnerabilities.
Large community and resources: Java has a vast developer community and extensive online resources and tutorials, making it easier to learn and troubleshoot.

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Top 10 Java Frameworks You Should Know

Java Frameworks To Learn — Top Java Frameworks

Let's look into the best framework in Java that is a good choice to learn in 2025 if you are a Java developer or aspire to be one.

1. Spring

Spring is an open-source framework that can be used by any Java application. It eliminates the problem of tight coupling among modules as it provides loose coupling so that modification in one class doesn't lead to the need for change in other classes. Spring is a package in itself as it supports features such as configuration and security. It has an active community and therefore a lot can be found about it online.

Features of Spring:

Inversion of Control (IoC): Allows object coupling at runtime instead of compile time.
Dependency Injection (DI): Supports loose coupling by providing dependencies to objects at runtime.
Spring Security: Offers comprehensive security features, including authentication and authorization.
Spring AOP: Supports aspect-oriented programming for better modularization.

Advantages of Spring:

Loose Coupling: Facilitates easy modification without affecting other components.
Simplifies Dependency Management: DI allows for a more organized and testable codebase.
Active Community: A vast community ensures constant updates and resources.

Companies Using Spring:

Many enterprises such as Netflix, eBay, and Alibaba use the Spring framework for developing complex Java applications.

2. Hibernate

Hibernate is an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) that makes handling databases with Java easier by eliminating the problems faced with JDBC as JDBC does not support object-level relationships which is a key concept while developing applications. Queries in Hibernate are known as HQL (Hibernate Query Language). It maps database tables to corresponding Java classes directly by creating an abstraction layer for the code to be loosely coupled. With Hibernate in the Java framework, developers do not have to think about establishing database connections or performing operations, it is taken care of by Hibernate itself. The hibernate.cfg.xml file contains information about database configuration and mapping.

Features of Hibernate:

ORM (Object-Relational Mapping): Automatically maps Java objects to database tables.
Hibernate Query Language (HQL): Allows developers to write database queries in a more object-oriented style.
Caching: Helps improve performance by reducing database access.
Automatic Table Generation: Automatically generates database schema from entities.

Advantages of Hibernate:

Simplified Database Interactions: Developers don’t need to manage database connections manually.
Cross-Database Compatibility: Hibernate works seamlessly across various database systems.
Reduces Boilerplate Code: Simplifies SQL and reduces the need for repetitive coding.

Companies Using Hibernate:

Major companies like LinkedIn, IBM, and Red Hat leverage Hibernate for their database-related operations.

3. Struts

Apache Struts is an open-source framework that is used for web applications. It follows MVC (Model-View-Controller) thus resulting in a convenient application by dividing model, view, and controller, and binding these three through the struts-config.xml file. It has two versions, Struts 1 and Struts 2. Struts 2 is the upgraded version and is preferred by all companies for implementing this framework in Java. It supports AJAX, REST, and JSON as it comes with various plugins. It provides an easy setup and is more flexible as compared to traditional MVC architecture. It is a good choice for web developers.

Features of Struts:

MVC Architecture: Divides the application into Model, View, and Controller components.
AJAX Support: Easily integrates with AJAX to create dynamic web applications.
REST Support: Provides out-of-the-box REST functionality for web services.
Flexible Configuration: Struts 2 allows more flexibility than Struts 1, including support for annotations.

Advantages of Struts:

Rapid Development: Struts reduces development time by providing a simple, well-structured framework.
Ease of Integration: It integrates easily with other technologies and frameworks.
Active Documentation: Comprehensive documentation is available for developers.

Companies Using Struts:

Companies such as Wells Fargo, Cognizant, and Accenture utilize Struts for building robust web applications.

4. Google Web Toolkit (GWT)

Do we really have to guess who developed the Google Web Toolkit? It's Google as evident from the name. Google products like AdSense, Blogger, and Google Wallet have been developed using GWT. The key reason why Google Web Toolkit is considered a developer-friendly Java framework is that it makes working with Google APIs easier. The ability to convert Java code into JavaScript code based on a browser makes it stand out in the queue of Java frameworks. Beautiful and elegant Internet Java applications can be made using it.

Features of GWT:

Dynamic and Reusable UI Components: Simplifies the process of creating interactive UI elements.
Cross-Browser Compatibility: Automatically handles browser-specific issues.
Unit Testing Integration: Supports unit testing to ensure code quality.
Support for Internationalization: Easily adapt applications for multiple languages.

Advantages of GWT:

Code Reusability: GWT allows developers to reuse code for both client and server-side operations.
Developer-Friendly: The framework simplifies JavaScript development by using Java code.
Cross-Browser Support: Ensures seamless operation across different browsers.

Companies Using GWT:

Google, Ebay, and PayPal are some of the top companies using GWT for web application development.

5. Apache Wicket

Apache Wicket is a component-based framework for building Java web applications. It simplifies web development by focusing on reusable components that encapsulate UI logic.

Features of Apache Wicket:

Component-Based Development: Focuses on building applications with reusable components.
State Management: Automatically manages the state of components between requests.
AJAX Support: Easily integrates AJAX for dynamic user interfaces.
Web Security: Provides tools for managing web application security.

Advantages of Apache Wicket:

Object-Oriented Approach: Facilitates better organization of code.
Reusability: Promotes the reuse of components across different parts of the application.
High-Level Security: Offers built-in tools to secure web applications.

Companies Using Apache Wicket:

Companies such as eBay, LinkedIn, and Digg use Apache Wicket to build dynamic, component-based web applications.

6. Dropwizard

Dropwizard is one of the finest frameworks for Java "Does exactly what it says on the tin" fit for the Dropwizard, it is a wizard. It completes the application very fast owing to its enormous support for logging, application metrics, and advanced configurations. It bundles up many libraries from the Java ecosystem into a single framework. The rapid development of RESTful APIs and support for rapid prototyping make Dropwizard magical when its features are seen all together.

Features of Dropwizard:

Metrics Support: Integrates with the metrics library for monitoring and performance tracking.
Logging with Logback: Uses Logback and SLF4J for enhanced logging features.
Hibernate Validator API: Supports data validation in web services.
Packaging Applications: Applications are packaged as JARs for easy deployment.

Advantages of Dropwizard:

Microservice Architecture: Ideal for developing microservices due to its lightweight nature.
Rapid Prototyping: Dropwizard supports quick project setup, making it suitable for rapid development.
Operations-Friendliness: Designed with operational concerns in mind, making it easy to deploy and manage applications.

Companies Using Dropwizard:

Organizations like Yelp, Netflix, and The New York Times leverage Dropwizard for their microservice-based architectures.

7. Grails

Grails are a beginner-friendly Java framework and are written in the Groovy programming language. Groovy is similar to Java and has more features than Java. Grails is based on the MVC pattern and runs on the Java platform, being compatible with Java syntax. GSP (Groovy Server Pages) is the rendering element in Grails and GORM is the ORM implementation for it. What if we mix Groovy and Java code? It will run fine. One of the highlights of Grails is that we can integrate Grails and Java code.

Features of Grails:

Convention over Configuration: Reduces boilerplate code and speeds up development.
Integrated GORM (Groovy ORM): Simplifies database operations.
Grails Plugins: A rich ecosystem of plugins for extending functionality.
Built on Spring Boot: Inherits the power of Spring for enterprise applications.

Advantages of Grails:

Rapid Development: Designed to accelerate development with minimal configuration.
Robust Ecosystem: Extensive libraries and plugins for a variety of tasks.
Compatibility with Java: Allows for using Java libraries alongside Groovy.

Companies Using Grails:

The BBC, US Department of Veterans Affairs, and VMWare use Grails for building scalable, enterprise-grade applications.

8. Vaadin

Vaadin has a whole new way of working as it eliminates the worry of client-server communications and routing so that one can concentrate on the presentation layer alone. It is open-source and components can be customized to create highly versatile code. You can write your application completely in Java as the UI components of Vaadin take care of the browser activities. One of the key features of Vaadin is that it is a cross-platform framework, i.e., you can migrate your code to a different platform and this makes it among the best frameworks in Java.

Features of Vaadin:

Java API for UI Components: Allows developers to build rich UIs with Java.
Cross-Browser Support: Ensures compatibility across all major browsers.
Built-in Data Binding: Simplifies binding between UI and data models.
Spring Integration: Integrates seamlessly with the Spring framework.
Customizable Themes: Enables the customization of UI themes.

Advantages of Vaadin:

Speed of Development: Provides a rich set of components for faster development.
Excellent Documentation: Comprehensive resources for developers.
Modern UI: Facilitates building sophisticated and modern web applications.

Companies Using Vaadin:

Intel, SAP, and Vaadin itself use the framework for developing high-quality enterprise applications.

9. Blade

Looking for the simplest Java framework? Say Hi to Blade!

The blade is a lightweight full-stack web framework based on MVC architecture. It works on a module basis, which helps in debugging by dividing an application into modules. Blade works with JSON files and is used for full-stack web development.

Features of Blade:

Simple API: Minimalistic framework for rapid development.
Built-in HTTP Server (Jetty): Provides an embedded server for quick deployment.
RESTful API Support: Ideal for building REST-based web services.
Template Engine Support: Supports multiple template engines for rendering views.

Advantages of Blade:

Lightweight: Offers only the necessary features, making it perfect for small to medium-sized apps.
Developer-Friendly: Easy setup and minimal configuration needed.
Performance-Oriented: Focuses on efficient and fast applications.

Companies Using Blade:

Companies like Viki, Suunto, and the developers behind Blade use it for simple, high-performance applications.

10. Play

Play framework follows convention over configuration. One of the unique things is that you can write Play applications not only in Java but in Scala as well. Play does not necessarily follow J2EE web standards. Play makes integration with Maven projects easier and creates simple JAR files. Play offers support for both the IntelliJ IDEA and Eclipse and that's why it is a highly praised framework for Java. It provides in-built relational database access libraries. It includes many features which make it a favorite of many Java developers.

Features of Play:

Built-in Testing Tools: Play includes tools for writing and running tests.
Hot Coding: Enables code to be updated in real-time without restarting the server.
IDE Support: Play supports major IDEs like Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA for development.
Non-blocking I/O: Supports asynchronous I/O operations for improved scalability.

Advantages of Play:

Flexible and Scalable: Designed to scale with the needs of the application.
Fault-Tolerant: Helps developers build fault-tolerant, highly available systems.
Error Handling: Provides detailed error messages to help developers debug more effectively.

Companies Using Play:

Companies like LinkedIn, The Guardian, and Kodak use Play for developing scalable, modern web applications.

Conclusion

With a diverse range of Java frameworks available, selecting the most appropriate one can be overwhelming. However, by carefully considering your project requirements, team expertise, and desired features, you can make an informed decision. Each framework offers unique strengths and caters to specific development needs. Explore the functionalities mentioned throughout this article to gain a deeper understanding of how each framework can empower your development process.

Furthermore, staying updated with the latest advancements in the Java ecosystem is crucial. As the technology landscape evolves, frameworks continuously improve their functionalities and features. By staying informed, you can ensure your development skills remain at the forefront of the industry

Must Read:
10 Best Java Compilers
Top 10 Java Programming Best Practices
Top 10 Java Projects with Source Code

Top 10 Java Frameworks in 2025

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Article Tags :

Practice Tags :

Java

Top 10 Java Frameworks in 2025

What is Java?

Top 10 Java Frameworks You Should Know

1. Spring

Features of Spring:

Advantages of Spring:

Companies Using Spring:

2. Hibernate

Features of Hibernate:

Advantages of Hibernate:

Companies Using Hibernate:

3. Struts

Features of Struts:

Advantages of Struts:

Companies Using Struts:

4. Google Web Toolkit (GWT)

Features of GWT:

Advantages of GWT:

Companies Using GWT:

5. Apache Wicket

6. Dropwizard

Features of Dropwizard:

Advantages of Dropwizard:

Companies Using Dropwizard:

7. Grails

8. Vaadin

9. Blade

10. Play

Conclusion

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