10 Best Java Frameworks You Should Know

Java is proven a predominant programming language, this is the reason for it being the chosen language for the ground-breaking software development jobs. When starting development on a new project, many people always ask themselves “Which Java frameworks should be used?”.

Java Frameworks are software tools capable of adding additional functionality to your ode to make things look more comfortable. We have done research on this and came up with the top best Java frameworks so you can decide which one is best for you.

In this article, we will look into the features, advantages, and applications of the following Java Frameworks.

• Spring
• Hibernate
• Struts
• Wicket
• GWT
• Dropwizard
• Play
• Vaadin
• Blade
• Grails

10 Best Java Frameworks

1. Spring

Spring Framework is one of the most extensively used, top-notch, lightweight software application frameworks built for software design, development, and deployment in Java. 

This Java Framework includes extensions for software application development for Java. Spring is majorly used in developing Web Applications.

Features of Spring

• Web Development
• SpringApplication
• Application Events and Listeners
• Admin Features
• Externalized Configuration
• Properties Files
• YAML Support
• Type-safe Configuration

Advantages of Spring

• We can fire up Web Applications even without the need for an actual Web Server.
• Spring is capable of testing the application along with backward compatibility.
• Spring is compatible with XML configurations.
• Spring is capable of establishing JDBC connections.
• Spring makes applications prone to a lesser number of errors and thus increases reliability.

Companies Using this Java Framework

Following the Spring Framework, the next leading framework currently used in the IT industry is the Hibernate.

2. Hibernate

Hibernate is one of the best Java Frameworks which is capable of extending Java's Persistence API support. Hibernate is an open-source, extremely lightweight, performance-oriented, and ORM (Object-Relational-Mapping) tool.  

Hibernate is a purpose-built Java Framework that simplifies the development of applications via its features like Database interactivity and much more. Hibernate's advantages are listed below.

Features of Hibernate

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

Advantages of Hibernate

• Hibernate is completely open-source.
• Hibernate reduces redundancy via JDBC API.
• Hibernate improves productivity and maintainability.
• Hibernate supports Persistence APIs.
• Hibernate's ORM allows communication between the application and any database.

Companies Using this Java Framework

Following the Hibernate Framework, the next leading framework currently used in the IT industry is the Struts.

3. Struts

Apache Struts belongs to the Apache Software Foundation. Craig McClanahan created Struts as open-source software. They designed Struts to inherit the Java Servlet API properties to ease the Development process for Java Developers.

Struts is a free, open-source, MVC framework for creating elegant, modern Java web applications. 

Features of Struts

• Configurable MVC Components
• POJO Based Actions
• AJAX Support
• Integration Support
• Various Result Types
• Various Tag Support
• Theme and Template Support

Advantages of Struts

• Struts offer XML type of files for a centralized configuration.
• Struts reduce the overall development time.
• Struts help in ease of application management.
• Struts documentation is based on active web developers.
• Struts follow MVC based application Development. 

Companies Using this Java Framework

Followed by Struts Framework, the next leading framework currently being used in the IT industry is the Wicket.

4. Wicket

Apache Wicket is a component-based application development framework developed by Jonathan Locke. It is one of the most recently developed Java frameworks. 

Features of Wicket

• Configurable MVC Components
• POJO Based Actions
• AJAX Support
• Integration Support
• Various Result Types
• Various Tag Support
• Theme and Template Support

Some key advantages of Apache Wicket are as follows.

Advantages of Wicket

• Wicket is based on JSP; This makes it easier for developers to use it.
• Wicket follows a Component-oriented structure.
• Wicket does not need complex XML files.
• Wicket follows POJO {Plain Old Java Object} model.
• The Wicket is lightweight and extremely fast.

Companies Using this Java Framework

Followed by the Wicket Framework, the next leading framework currently used in the IT industry is the GWT.

5. GWT

GWT is an abbreviation for the Google Web Toolkit. GWT is an open-source toolset that includes a wide variety of tools and libraries necessary for JavaScript-based front-end application development.

Features of GWT

• Dynamic and Reusable UI Components
• Simple RPC Mechanism
• Browser History Management
• Support for full-featured Java Debugging
• GWT handles some cross-browser issues for the developer
• Unit Testing Integration
• Support for Internationalization and localization

Some of the significant advantages of Google Web Toolkit are as below.

Advantages of GWT

• GWT is highly developer-friendly.
• GWT supports a wide range of APIs for ease of development.
• GWT can create and maintain complex JavaScript applications.
• GWT enables code reusability for typical web development jobs.
• GWT can offer Cross-Browser portability.

Companies Using this Java Framework

Following the GWT Framework, the next leading framework currently being used in the IT industry is the Dropwizard.

6. Dropwizard

Dropwizard is one of the lightest and simplest Java Frameworks that enable developers to build Java Web Applications with ease. Dropwizard is a Java framework for developing operations-friendly, high-performance, RESTful web services

Features of Dropwizard

• Support for monitoring using the metrics library
• Dropwizard uses Hibernate Validator API
• Logging is done using Logback and SLF4J
• It packages every application as a jar instead of a war file

Some of the significant advantages of using Dropwizard are as follows.

Advantages of Dropwizard

• Dropwizard supports the creating of MicroServices.
• Dropwizard enables rapid prototyping of applications.
• Dropwizard has the Quick Project BootStrap.
• Dropwizard is operations-friendly.
• Dropwizard supports open-source and external libraries.

Companies Using this Java Framework

Followed by Dropwizard Framework, the next leading framework currently being used in the IT industry is the Play.

7. Play

Play is written using Scala Programming Language. It offers web and mobile application development. It follows MVC architecture. Play is compiled to Java-Bytecode, and this makes Play one of the most powerful frameworks.

Some of the significant advantages of using the Play Framework are as follows.

Features of Play

• Hit refresh workflow
• Powerful console & build tools
• Type in safety
• Built-in testing tools
• IDE support for Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA

Advantages of Play

• Play is highly flexible and fault-tolerant.
• Play supports non-blocking input-output operations.
• Play helps in creating high-performance applications.
• Play supports Hot Coding and Convention over Configuration approach.
• Play is capable of providing error messages.

Companies Using this Java Framework

Followed by Play Framework, the next leading framework currently used in the IT industry is the Vaadin.

8. Vaadin

Vaadin is the Open-Source flagship amongst the Java Frameworks. Vaadin is purpose-built for Web Application Development. It uses HTML 5 and sets application starters and necessary tools for Web Application Development.

Features of Vaadin

• Java API for all web-based components
• Java-only type-safe web development
• Two built-in themes: Lumo and Material
• Switch between dark or light mode
• Style alternatives from Java
• Back button and deep linking supported
• Navigation without reloading the whole page
• Java EE 7 and Java EE 8 (Jakarta EE 8)

Advantages of Vaadin

• Vaadin's significant advantage is its support for JVM.
• Vaadin gets built-in Spring Framework support as default.
• Vaadin can establish client-server communication automatically using a web socket.
• Vaadin has a router with a nested route and also has parameter support.
• Vaadin supports Data Binding via MVC and MVP.

Companies Using this Java Framework

After the Vaadin framework, the next leading framework currently being used in the IT industry is Blade.

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9. Blade

Blade Framework is one of the lightest and performance packed MVC architecture based Java Frameworks. The Blade is extensively used for full-stack web application development. The Blade is based on Java Version 8.

Features of Blade

• Lightweight
• Modular (you can choose which components to use)
• Support plug-in extension mechanism
• The restful style routing interface
• Multiple configuration files support (current properties, json, and coding)
• Embedded jetty server and template engine support
• Supports jdk1.6 or higher version

Some of the significant advantages of using Blade are as follows.

Advantages of Blade

• Blade is proficient in creating miniature MVC applications.
• Blade supports the configuration of multiple files.
• Blade enables Plugin extensions and Web JARs.
• Blade is used in Defence support for Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).
• Blade also possesses Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF). 

Companies Using this Java Framework

Following Blade Framework, the next leading framework currently being used in the IT industry is Grails.

10. Grails

Grails is a web application framework developed using Apache Groovy Language. It is a Java Framework that follows the coding by convention method which provides a Standalone environment. Also, it supports instance development with no configuration required. 

Features of Grails

• Groovy Lineage
• Spring Boot Foundation
• Seamless Java Integration
• Optimized Reloading Agent
• Built-In Testing Framework
• Plugin Library
• Pragmatic Strategy

Some of the significant advantages of using Grails are as follows.

Advantages of Grails

• Grails offers Object-Mapping Feature for ease of development.
• Grails enables code reusability for efficiency.
• Grails helps to build most of the E-commerce websites.
• Grails has the most superficial documentation.
• Grails can support customized plugins and cross-platform IDE support.

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Companies Using this Java Framework

Followed by Grails Framework and the other important Java Frameworks discussed, we have come to the end of this "Java Frameworks" article. Moving ahead, we will look into the next crucial steps that you could pursue to master Java.

Next Steps

This brings us to the end of this article, where we have discussed the brilliant and popular Java Frameworks. Java Frameworks will help you in various stages of your software development, and this "Java Frameworks" article enables you to choose the right Java Framework for the right job.

The next milestone is to crack "APIs in Java."

If you're searching for more in-depth information about Java and the details on how to get certified as a professional developer, explore our Java training and certification programs, which Simplilearn's experienced industry experts offer in real-time. In particular, check out our Full Stack Java Developer Master's Program today!

If you have any questions about this "Java Frameworks" article, please leave them in the comments section, and our expert team will be happy to answer them for you at the earliest!