JPanel vs JFrame

Both JPanel and JFrame are classes available in the JAVA language. JPanel is a simple container class whose parent is a JComponent class whereas JFrame is a container whose parent is java.awt.Frame class. The JPanel can be considered as a general container that is used for complex functions that require different components to group together while the JFrame is used to host simple elements. Though they both look similar while running as they both are important components of the Java Swing package but have their own different purposes and usage. Let us see in what aspects they differ.

JPanel

JPanel represents an area in which controls and visuals can appear. Each JPanel has its own coordinate system, which simplifies programming. Once JFrame is written for GUI, then add one or more objects to it, each from a subclass extending JPanel. It is a simple container class whose parent class is JComponent which also provides sufficient space for the accommodation of any other component.

Advantages

• It groups components together.
• It organizes components in a better way.
• It enables to use of multiple layouts and combines their effects.
• Debugging is easy, as one can test each panel individually.
• It has high scalability and good maintainability.

Disadvantages

• The title Bar is not available.

JFrame

JFrame represents a framed window and stores a reference to its content pane. The class itself defines getContentPane and setContentPane methods and the content pane itself is a Container. It is available in javax.swing package. Also, it can have multiple inner frames, but they are completely dependent on the parent frame. Also, it contains the option to hide or close the window.

Advantages

• Almost every other Swing application starts with the JFrame window.
• This JFrame comes with a border and a title bar.
• It has various methods that can be used to customize it. 

Disadvantages

• It is heavy in weight.

Difference between JPanel and JFrame

	JPanel	JFrame
Title Bar	The title Bar is not available.	The title Bar is available.
Parent class	Its Parent class is JComponent.	Its Parent class is java.awt.Frame
Function	To host components, it works as a container.	It is used as a window for hosting stand-alone applications.
Operations	To perform different operations, it has different inner frames.	For multiple operations, one pane is enough.
Weight	It is light in weight.	It is heavy in weight.
Usage	Components of GUI are added.	JPanels are added on top of JFrame.

Conclusion

Both JPanel and JFrame provide different methods to perform GUI-related functions. Both are top-level containers without whom swing GUI could not exist. Both classes are available in the JAVA language and are important components of the Java Swing package. It is all up to the requirement of user to choose which one as both have their own pros and cons of usage.