May 16, 2025
Admin
You are looking to develop a new web application in 2025. As a developer, you know Java is one of the most popular programming languages for web development. This is because Java is fast, secure, portable, and has a huge community.
When coding in Java, frameworks help speed up development and enforce best practices. But with so many Java frameworks out there, how do you choose? This guide reviews the 12 best Java web frameworks to consider for your projects in 2025.
Java frameworks are reusable libraries and architectures that facilitate building applications faster. They provide structure, patterns, and functionality to handle common infrastructure tasks faced when coding Java apps.
Some responsibilities Java frameworks take care of include:
Frameworks aim to let developers focus on the unique business logic and differentiators. They handle the repetitive, common aspects apps require behind the scenes.
Java frameworks specifically also simplify working across the Java ecosystem. They package together libraries, standards, and recommended architectures official Java technologies endorse. This ensures uniformity in how Java codebases are built and operated.
There are many advantages to using application frameworks in software development:
Frameworks speed development by providing tested solutions for common problems all apps face. You spend less time solving boilerplate problems and wiring up different libraries.
The structure and constraints frameworks impose encourage following best practices that lead to quality and maintainable code.
Frameworks encapsulate years of accumulated knowledge on how to build apps properly. This wisdom saves you from making mistakes others have faced before.
With infrastructure code handled, developers allocate more time towards innovating on features that differentiate the product for users.
Frameworks reduce the amount of original codebases need for app capabilities. This results in fewer bugs.
Teams build apps consistently on top of the same frameworks. This reduces ramp up time and technical debt when people join or leave projects.
Java frameworks help developers avoid low-level infrastructure code and focus on application-specific logic. They enforce conventions optimal for an ecosystem like Java. The gain is faster and higher quality development thanks to years of accumulated community wisdom.
Spring Framework is the most widely used Java framework. It makes Java development faster and easier through dependency injection and reducing boilerplate code. Spring Framework is actually a collection of modules you can mix-and-match.
Some key components you get with Spring Framework include:
As you can see, Spring Framework covers a lot. It handles most common infrastructure needs out-of-the-box so you can focus on your app’s unique business logic.
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best For: All types of Java web apps – small, large, microservices, etc. It’s the most versatile and complete framework.
Previously called Java EE, Jakarta EE is Oracle’s official enterprise Java framework. It standardizes APIs across areas like web services, messaging, transactions, etc. This means you get portability across Jakarta EE compliant application servers.
Jakarta EE makes developing enterprise Java applications faster by providing standards and APIs for things like:
It’s a very complete platform for developing Java enterprise applications. And because it’s a standard, multiple vendors have compatible implementations.
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best For: Traditional enterprise Java development – banking, insurance, etc.
Grails is an open source web app framework that uses Groovy instead of Java. It aims to provide Groovy’s flexibility while maintaining Java’s performance and security.
Under the hood, Grails uses Spring Framework and Hibernate. But it hides a lot of the complexity via convention over configuration. Some ways Grails boosts productivity include:
For small and medium web apps, Grails lets your build full stack apps very quickly. You gain lots of functionality out-of-the-box.
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best for: Rapidly building web apps where dynamic Groovy fits your needs better than Java.
Play Framework advertises itself as the “high velocity” Java and Scala web framework. It uses an expressive syntax and stateless architecture to create a developer experience that just feels incredibly fast and modern compared to legacy Java stacks.
Underneath lies the powerful Akka runtime for high performance and scalability via asynchronous, non-blocking I/O. You don’t have to worry about threading or scalability – Play handles that automatically.
Other neat features in Play Framework include:
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best For: Modern, scalable web services built for speed and developer joy.
Vaadin allows writing UIs in pure Java without having to deal with HTML, CSS or JavaScript. It handles translating Java components into web standards automatically.
Under the hood, it uses Google Web Toolkit to compile your UI Java code into highly optimized JavaScript. This means you get native browser performance while coding UIs in Java.
Other useful parts of Vaadin include:
The benefit is you and your team only need to know Java to build the full web app – front and backend. No more context switching between languages and frameworks.
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best For: Java developers who want to build modern web UIs without learning JS frameworks.
Micronaut is a newcomer in the Java framework space that advertises itself as a modern, JVM-based full-stack framework. It uses ahead-of-time compilation for extremely low memory usage and fast start-up.
As such, Micronaut is purpose built for microservices, serverless functions, and edge computing use cases. It streamlines building Java apps that perform well under restricted environments like containers and functions-as-a-service.
Under the hood, Micronaut still uses standards like Spring Framework, Jakarta REST, and Hibernate. But it repackages them into an innovative framework that feels modern, easy to use, and cloud-native.
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best For: Microservices, serverless functions, and cloud-based Java.
Quarkus is another promising new framework that optimizes Java for Kubernetes and serverless deployments. Like Micronaut, it uses compilation for extremely fast startup and low memory usage.
Beyond performance, Quarkus aims to be an opinionated full stack framework for cloud-native Java. So it packs things like security, monitoring, config management, etc. out-of-the-box.
On top of standards like REST and CDI, you also get:
Quarkus is backed by Red Hat and the wider Java community. So it aims to be the best Java stack for writing cloud and container-based applications.
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best For: Java microservices and serverless functions on Kubernetes.
Blade is an unusual Java framework because it lets you work without containers or application servers. It runs your Java code directly via its own netty server adapter.
This means Blade starts up incredibly fast. It also auto-reloads code changes so you get the flexibility of scripting languages.
As a full stack option, Blade bundles useful functionality like:
For microservices and lean Java services, Blade lets you build and iterate quickly without constant redeploys.
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best For: Microservices, lean services, and rapid prototyping.
Helidon is an interesting microframework from Oracle. It combines fast startup times, low memory usage, and simple API development.
Like Micronaut and Quarkus, Helidon uses compile-time code generation for optimized performance as a cloud-native Java stack.
Some useful features you get with Helidon include:
Overall if you need to run Java microservices on Kubernetes with simplicity and speed, Helidon does the job well.
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best For: Java microservices on Kubernetes or custom infrastructure.
Spark Framework is a micro-framework for creating web apps and REST APIs in Java 8 and above. Compared to mammoths like Spring, Spark aims to provide a simple, no-bloat way to write Java services.
It gives you a routing and template engine out-of-the-box. But leaves choices like database access, authentication, etc. to pick your preferred library.
Some of Spark’s goals like:
While very barebones, Spark lets experienced Java coders quickly build apps and services the way they want – without a complex framework getting in the way.
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best For: Experienced Java coders who want simplicity over comprehensive features.
In a similar vein as Spark, Jooby bills itself as a modern, modular micro-framework for Java and Kotlin. It lets you handpick only the libraries you need without pulling in tons of dependencies.
Internally, Jooby uses libraries like Undertow for web server capabilities, Jackson for JSON handling, and HikariCP for database connection pooling. But you can swap out components as needed.
Useful features in Jooby include:
If you like elegant, minimalist frameworks that stay out of your way, Jooby is worth considering.
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best For: Experienced Java developers who need a nimble, modular framework.
Javalin is another main framework for Java and Kotlin focused on simplicity. It gives you just enough capability to handle web requests, routing, error handling, and serialization – while staying lightweight.
Performance is also good thanks to running on the Jetty server and Kotlin Coroutines under the hood.
Besides a clean API, Javalin packs useful developer happiness features like:
So if you want a lightweight way to build web services without tons of bloat, check out Javalin.
Key Benefits:
Downsides:
Best For: Microservices, REST APIs, and web services where you want a Java framework that stays out of your way.
There are lots of great Java web frameworks to choose from in 2025. The key is matching your needs in terms of application type, complexity, team skills, etc. to the strengths and weaknesses of each framework.
For larger enterprise Java development, Spring Framework or Jakarta EE tend to be great options that scale well.
For lean and fast services, newer options like Micronaut and Quarkus are purpose-built for the cloud.
And for simplicity over features, lightweight microframeworks like Javalin and Spark do the job.
The best approach is to prototype with a few options before deciding. This lets you get hands-on with what works best for your unique project and preferences.
When you decide which framework to use, the next step is getting started. Here is a process you can follow.
Each Java framework has their preferred setup. For example, Micronaut and Quarkus work best with Gradle or Maven. While Spring Boot pairs well with its Spring Tools IDE.
Look up the recommended tooling and plugins for your framework and install them. Most provide command line assistance for generating starter projects and code.
Whether it’s official or third-party documentation, look for getting-started tutorials. Focus on ones that build real working apps, not just trivial examples.
As you follow along building the demo app, you’ll grasp the framework’s architecture, components, and overall development approach.
In addition to written guides, video tutorials can help see how experts use the framework to build apps. Look for material that explains the rationale and not just coding examples.
Hearing experts explain why they structure apps in a certain way to help the material click.
Finally, begin building your actual application. Start with a simplified prototype focused on the riskiest functionality and core flows.
Making something real inevitably exposes gaps in your knowledge that guides and tutorials gloss over. Build up your app iteratively using the framework’s facilities.
With each iteration, you’ll cement your understanding and confront real issues. This leads to deep experience you can apply to build and lead the development of production Java applications.
While starting out, focus on building locally and getting exposure. But don’t neglect the tools, processes, and architecture needed to run your app successfully in production.
Here are some considerations as you move towards production:
Consider working with a Java development team if launching a business critical application. Their experience codifying best practices will set your project up for success.
The advantage in 2025 is frameworks handle so much themselves that you can focus on business logic. But leveraging community knowledge via engineers is still key when performance, reliability, and security matter.
Part of being a great developer is constantly learning and expanding your toolkit. There are always new frameworks and paradigms to try that shake up entrenched habits.
Experimenting with different programming styles exercises your skills. And exploring novel frameworks keeps your knowledge fresh and applicable.
So even if you pick a trusty framework for your next project, keep learning alternatives. Subscribe to Java publications, follow experts, join meetups, and continually push yourself. This will ensure you provide increasing value and capabilities to your workplace.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur
Admin | Content Manager
Let’s connect and build innovative software solutions to unlock new revenue-earning opportunities for your venture
We would love to hear from you
5th Floor, DLF Two Horizon Centre, DLF Phase 5, Gurugram, HR 122002
