10 Most Popular Java Frameworks That You Must Try

In today’s technology-driven world, we all can see how frequently tech advancements are coming into existence and subsequently how old tools & technologies are becoming obsolete and uncompetitive. But the case is not the same with every single technology as JAVA is one of those few technologies out there that has been enjoying a strong position in the tech world for more than 2 decades!

As per various standard reports, Java is still among the most popular and demanded programming languages. One of the major reasons behind such immense popularity of Java is that it has a wide range of applications such as Android Development, Web Applications, Desktop Applications, Scientific Applications, etc. In short, if you’re looking forward to building a career with Java then you can surely go ahead without giving a second thought. However, what you need to know is, that to create a worthwhile Java project, you need to know about working with Java Frameworks.

To learn about Java Programming, refer to this article: Java

What is a Java Framework?

A Java Framework is a tool that provides you with pre-written Java code that can be reused for creating an application. It saves a lot of time as in these frameworks you’re not required to code multiple times for a single task. Also, you’re not required to worry about other issues like security issues, making database connections, etc. In simple words, with the help of Java frameworks, there is no need to do coding from scratch while creating a project. There are numerous popular and top Java frameworks available that you can consider.

Most Popular Java Frameworks

Java Frameworks will optimize the overall workflow of Java Development by providing the various unique feature and functionalities. Here, in this article, we’ve compiled a list of several most popular Java frameworks, based on various crucial factors and stats. So, let’s get started now:

1. Spring  

Spring is a lightweight, open-source, and quite popular Java framework that is used by developers to create enterprise-level web applications conveniently and efficiently. You need to know that this modular framework can be used to develop any layer of the project and along with the loosely coupled modules here, dependencies are managed by the framework itself rather than being dependent on the libraries in the code.

To learn more, refer to this article: Spring

Spring provides you with a lightweight container and it can be triggered without using an application or web server. Moreover, Spring is compatible with XML configurations and also it is capable of establishing JDBC connections. Various renowned companies like Netflix, Amazon, Microsoft, etc. use Spring for their respective platforms.  

Features:

• Dependency Injection
• Supports Backward Compatibility
• Supports both – XML and annotation-based configuration
• YAML Support
• Better documentation and an active community

2. Hibernate

Hibernate is an ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) Java framework that conveniently maps an object-oriented model to the relational database. In simple words, it makes communication better between Java and relational database management systems. Hibernate can be easily connected with various popular databases like Oracle, MySQL, and others.

To learn more, refer to this article: Hibernate

Also, numerous enriching tools like Hibernate console, Mapping editor, etc. make things a bit easier for Java developers. Hibernate allows you to do complex data manipulation with minimal or less coding. Moreover, the framework is completely open-source and used by various renowned Companies like Dell, Oracle, IBM, etc. use Hibernate for their respective platforms.  

Features:

• Hibernate Query Language (HQL)
• Easy to Customize and Configure
• Supports Persistence APIs
• Lightweight & High Performance  
• Better Scalability

3. Struts

Apache Struts is an open-source Model-View-Controller (MVC) framework primarily used to create enterprise-level Java web applications. As of now, Struts has two versions – Struts 1 and Struts 2, among which the latter is being used more by the developers due to extended functionalities.

To learn more, refer to this article: Struts

It is designed to inherit and extend the Java Servlet API properties and features to make things easier for the developers. One of the significant features of Struts is that it can be conveniently integrated with other frameworks as well. Various renowned companies like Infosys, Accenture, etc. use the Struts framework in their tech stacks.

Features:

• Configurable MVC Components
• POJO Based Actions
• Reduced Development Time & Effort
• Supports Creative Themes and Templates  
• Better Documentation & Community Support

4. Java Server Faces (JSF)

Java Server Faces (JSF), developed and maintained by Oracle, is another component-based MVC web framework that has reusable UI components to create enriching user interfaces for server-based applications. In this stable framework, there is the encapsulation of various client-side technologies such as HTML, CSS & JavaScript. And with the help of drag-and-drop UI components, developers can handle the frontend part efficiently doing much coding.

To learn more, refer to this article: Java Server Faces (JSF)

Moreover, Java Server Faces allows the integration of the back-end code and user interface smoothly and conveniently. Some of the renowned companies that use Java Server Faces (JSF) in their tech stacks are – Insoft, GameDuell, etc.  

Features:

• Component-based UI Framework
• Cross-framework Compatibility
• Excellent Tools and Libraries Support
• Inbuilt AJAX Support
• Templating & Bean Annotations

5. Grails

Another popular Java framework in this list is Grails. Grails is an open-source Java framework that is based on the MVC (Model-View-Controller) design pattern. Though, Grails is written in Groovy language – it seamlessly can run on the Java platform and is completely compatible with the syntax of Java. You need to know that Grails is being used in the development of a large number of e-commerce websites available over the web.

Furthermore, Grails is comparatively easier to learn, comes with easy documentation, and is strongly recommended to beginners. Various renowned companies like LinkedIn, Greencode, etc. use Grails for their respective platforms.  

Features:

• Gentle Learning Curve
• Seamless Java Integration
• Support Various Customized Plugins
• Built-in Support for RESTful APIs
• Compiled to JVM Bytecode

6. Google Web Toolkit (GWT)

Google Web Toolkit, GWT is an open-source Java framework created by Google. One of the significant features of this framework is that it converts Java code into JavaScript code. Along with the Java-to-JavaScript Compiler, other major components of the GWT framework are GWT Development Mode, JRE emulation library, and GWT Web UI class library.

To learn more, refer to this article: Google Web Toolkit (GWT)

Other than that, Google Web Toolkit is quite easy to use and comes up with several enriching features like browser history management, unit testing integration, Google API support in GWT applications, and many more. Various renowned products of Google including AdSense and AdWords are heavily relying on this GWT framework.

Features:

• Dynamic and Reusable UI Components
• Cross-Browser Compatibility  
• Full-featured Java Debugging Support
• Highly Developer-friendly
• Simple RPC Mechanism

7. Vaadin

Talking about Vaadin, is an open-source platform that is used to develop web applications and consists of the Java web framework along with a set of web components, application starters & tools. Vaadin allows client-server communication in a completely automated manner.

To learn more, refer to this article:

As a developer if you’re looking for a framework that can allow you to focus more on application specifications and core development and the UI part can be effectively handled by the framework itself then Vaadin would be the right choice for you. Some of the popular companies using Vaadin in their tech stacks are – Rockwell Automation, JPMorgan Chase, Dell, etc.

Features:

• Lightweight Framework with Better Documentation
• Web Components Integration
• Built-in JavaBeans Validation with Annotation
• Built-in Spring Framework Support
• Data Binding

8. Wicket

Apache Wicket, created by Jonathan Locke, is another component-based Java web framework that is widely used by Java developers. Wicket is primarily known for its POJO model i.e., where each component is a Plain Old Java Object. These components include buttons, forms, links, pages, images, behaviors, etc.

While working with Wicket, there is no need to learn configuration files. Other than that, Wicket has all real Java objects and is quite secure as well. It would be easier for you to learn Wicket if you’re already familiar with JSP. Meanwhile, the framework is being used by various popular companies like Deloitte, doubleSlash, etc.

Features:

• Lightweight and Fast Framework
• POJO Based Actions
• Zero XML Configuration Files
• Configurable MVC Components
• Theme and Template Support

9. Blade

Going down with the list, here comes another popular Java framework, Blade! It is an extremely lightweight Java framework that is based on Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture and is widely used to develop web applications. You need to know that the source code here is as minimal as less than 500kb.

One of the key features of Blade is Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) also. The framework allows you to create templates for all the requirements and a master template. Some of the popular companies using Blade in their tech stacks are Stormcatch APIs, Spookies, and a few others.

Features:

• Lightweight and Modular Framework
• Embedded Jetty Server  
• Support for Plugin Extensions
• Support REST Style Routing Interface
• Gentle Learning Curve

10. Play

Last but not least, there is another popular Java Framework, Play. It is a lightweight open-source framework that is used to create web applications using Java and follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern. Play supports the convention over the configuration approach.

The framework is highly flexible and makes it easier to create high-performance applications due to the asynchronous processing. Though Play is created in Scala – it is compatible with other programming languages that are compiled to JVM bytecode like Java. Meanwhile, the framework is being used by various popular companies like Samsung, LinkedIn, and many others in their tech stacks.

Features:

• Integrated Unit Testing
• Modular Architecture
• Native Scala Support
• High-Performance Applications
• Hot Code Reloading

Conclusion

These 10 most popular Java frameworks is important for any developer, who is looking to simplifying the development process. These frameworks are very useful in building reliable and high-performing Java applications in today’s competitive software industry. So, these are some of the most popular Java frameworks that you can consider based on your project requirements and preferences. These frameworks will surely make Java development much easier for you!!

FAQs on Java Frameworks

Q1. What are the top Java Frameworks?

Here are the top Java Frameworks for the Development that you must try

1. Spring
2. Hibernate
3. Struts
4. Java Server Faces (JSF)
5. Grails

Q2. What are Java Frameworks?

Java Frameworks are pre-built tools and libraries that simplifies the development workflow of Java application. With their structured foundation you can address the common software development challanges.

Q3. Why should I use Java Frameworks?

Using Java Frameworks will improve the efficiency of development workflow and application reliability by providing pre-built components of it.