10 Best Java Frameworks You Should Know in 2023

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Javarevisited

5 min readSep 11, 2023

If you’re a software developer or someone involved in web application development, you must be familiar with Java and its significance in the programming world. Java has been a popular programming language for decades, and its versatility and portability have made it a top choice for developing robust and scalable applications. To accelerate the development process and improve code maintainability, Java frameworks play a vital role.

What is a Framework in Java?

A framework in Java is a pre-written codebase that provides a structured environment to build applications. It offers a foundation and a set of functionalities that java developers can utilize to simplify common tasks, allowing them to focus on building specific features. Java frameworks help in organizing code, reducing development time, and promoting best practices.

Top Java Frameworks

In this blog, we will explore the top 10 Java frameworks that are gaining popularity in 2023, based on their features, performance, and community support.

1. Spring

Spring is undoubtedly one of the most widely used Java frameworks. It provides comprehensive support for building enterprise-grade applications.

Key features of Spring include:

Inversion of Control (IoC): Spring’s IoC container manages object creation and dependency injection, enabling loose coupling and easier testing.
AOP (Aspect-Oriented Programming): Spring allows developers to apply cross-cutting concerns, such as logging and security, separately from the core business logic.
Modularity: Spring’s architecture allows developers to pick and choose the modules they need, making it lightweight and efficient.
Integration: Spring supports integration with various technologies, such as databases, messaging systems, and RESTful services.

2. Hibernate

Hibernate is an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework that simplifies database interaction in Java applications. Its key features include:

ORM Support: Hibernate allows developers to map Java objects to database tables, making database interaction more intuitive and less error prone.
Lazy Loading: It supports lazy loading, which improves application performance by fetching data only when needed.
Caching: Hibernate offers various caching mechanisms to enhance application performance.
Cross-Database Support: It provides flexibility in supporting multiple databases.

3. Play

Play is a high-performance web development framework that is known for its simplicity and developer-friendly features. Key attributes of Play include:

Hot Reloading: Play allows developers to see code changes instantly without restarting the server, improving development productivity.
Asynchronous Support: It provides native support for asynchronous programming, enabling better scalability.
RESTful Architecture: Play encourages building RESTful APIs, making it suitable for modern web applications.
Testability: The framework offers excellent support for writing unit and integration tests.

4. Apache Struts

Apache Struts is a mature and stable framework that aids in building maintainable and extensible Java web applications. Key features of Apache Struts include:

MVC Architecture: Struts follows the Model-View-Controller pattern, making code organization and maintenance more manageable.
Tag Libraries: It offers a set of custom tag libraries that simplify rendering dynamic content in JSP pages.
Validation Support: Struts provides built-in validation support, reducing the effort required to validate user inputs.
Integration with Other Frameworks: It seamlessly integrates with technologies like Hibernate and Spring.

5. Dropwizard

Dropwizard is a lightweight and opinionated framework tailored explicitly for building RESTful web services. Key features of Dropwizard include:

Jetty Server: Dropwizard uses the Jetty server, known for its high performance and low memory footprint.
Metrics Support: It offers built-in metrics to monitor application performance and diagnose issues.
Simplified Configuration: Dropwizard provides easy-to-use YAML configuration for application settings.
Bundled Components: It comes bundled with commonly used libraries, making setup and deployment easier.

6. Google Web Toolkit (GWT)

Google Web Toolkit is a powerful framework for building web applications in Java. Some of its key features include:

Java to JavaScript Compilation: GWT allows developers to write front-end code in Java and then compiles it to optimize JavaScript.
Cross-Browser Compatibility: Applications developed with GWT are compatible with multiple browsers without additional effort.
RPC Support: It offers Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) for easy client-server communication.
UI Widgets: GWT comes with a rich set of UI widgets to build modern and interactive interfaces.

7. Java Server Faces (JSF)

Java Server Faces is a component-based framework for building user interfaces for Java web applications. Key features of JSF include:

Component Reusability: JSF allows developers to create reusable UI components, promoting code modularity.
Event-Driven Programming: It supports event-driven programming, making it easy to handle user actions.
Integration with Java EE: JSF integrates seamlessly with Java EE technologies like EJB and JPA.
Rich Library of Components: It offers a wide range of pre-built UI components.

8. Vaadin

Vaadin is a full-stack framework that enables building web applications entirely in Java. Some of its key features include:

Server-Side Programming: Vaadin allows developers to write server-side code in Java, reducing the need for JavaScript expertise.
Component Library: It offers an extensive set of UI components for building modern web interfaces.
Data Binding: Vaadin provides data binding capabilities, simplifying the synchronization of data between the UI and backend.
Responsive Design: Applications built with Vaadin are responsive and adapt to various devices.

9. Blade

Blade is a lightweight and minimalist framework for building web applications in Java. Some of its key features include:

Concise Syntax: Blade uses a simple and concise syntax, making the code easy to read and maintain.
Fast and Lightweight: It is designed for high performance and has minimal overhead.
RESTful Support: Blade encourages building RESTful APIs and simplifies their implementation.
Template Engine: It comes with a built-in template engine for rendering dynamic content.

10. Grails

Grails is a full-stack framework that leverages the power of the Groovy language for building web applications. Key features of Grails include:

Convention over Configuration: Grails follows the convention over configuration principle, reducing the need for explicit configuration.
Integration with Spring Boot: It integrates seamlessly with Spring Boot, providing access to a vast ecosystem of libraries.
Rapid Development: Grails facilitates rapid application development with its feature rich CLI and scaffolding.
Plugin System: It has a plugin system that enables developers to extend application functionality easily.

Conclusion

As a Java developer or a software development team, having a good understanding of the top Java frameworks can significantly improve your productivity and the quality of your applications. Each framework comes with its strengths and is suitable for different types of projects. Whether you prioritize scalability, simplicity, or full-stack development, there’s a Java framework that fits your needs.

Ready to explore the power of Java frameworks for your next project? Hire a dedicated development team of expert Java developers and kickstart your development journey with confidence.