Top 10 Java Frameworks Powering Modern Application Development

The popular Java frameworks, including Micronaut, Quarkus, and Vaadin, are essential for developing efficient and scalable applications. These frameworks simplify complex tasks such as database management, security, and UI development. They are widely adopted in industries like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce.

In this blog, you will explore the top 10 Java frameworks of 2025, their use cases, and the tools required to get started. You’ll also discover how these frameworks improve your development, increase productivity, and streamline workflows.

What Are Java Frameworks? Top 10 You Should Know in 2025

A Java framework is a set of prewritten classes and tools that simplify application development. It provides a consistent structure and reusable modules for web, desktop, enterprise, or mobile projects. By handling repetitive tasks like configuration and request handling, frameworks enable developers to focus on the core logic of their applications.

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Let's now explore 10 widely used Java frameworks that developers rely on for building scalable and maintainable software.

1. Spring Framework

Spring is a core Java framework designed for building scalable, maintainable, and modular enterprise-grade applications. It supports inversion of control, aspect-oriented programming, and MVC architecture for building web and backend systems.

Tools Required: Java SDK, Spring Core, Spring Context, Spring Web, Maven, Gradle, Eclipse, IntelliJ

Key Features:

• Dependency Injection (DI): Spring automates object creation and manages dependencies through configuration. It improves modularity and testability in layered applications.
• Spring MVC: It provides a clean separation between the view, controller, and model. It supports RESTful services and custom interceptors.
• Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP): Cross-cutting concerns, such as logging and security, are separated using AOP. Spring uses proxies and annotations to implement it cleanly.
• Transaction Management: Spring provides programmatic and declarative transaction handling. It integrates easily with databases and supports distributed transaction control.

Use Cases:

• Banking Application Backend:  Spring handles service orchestration, transaction management, and account services. MVC is used to manage secure banking web portals.
• E-commerce Order System: Spring manages checkout, inventory, and payment logic using DI and beans. It handles sessions and authentication using Spring Security.

Also Read: Spring MVC Architecture in Java: Diagram, Advantages and Examples

2. Spring Boot

Spring Boot simplifies Java application development by auto-configuring Spring applications with minimal setup. It helps build microservices and REST APIs quickly by reducing boilerplate configuration.

Tools Required: Java SDK, Spring Boot Starter, Spring Initializr, Maven, Gradle, Spring CLI, IntelliJ IDEA, and Eclipse.

Key Features:

• Auto Configuration: Automatically configures beans and settings based on the dependencies in your classpath. Eliminates manual setup for standard configurations.
• Embedded Servers: Ships with embedded Tomcat, Jetty, or Undertow. Applications can run as standalone JARs without external server deployment.
• Spring Boot Starters: This framework provides ready-made dependency descriptors for everyday use cases, such as web, data access, or security. Simplifies build configuration.
• Actuator Module: Exposes endpoints for monitoring application health, metrics, environment, and thread dumps. Useful for production readiness checks.

Use Cases:

• Microservices Architecture: Spring Boot is widely used to build independent deployable services. Each service manages its configuration and lifecycle.
• Internal REST APIs for Enterprises: Used for rapidly developing APIs to handle internal workflows. Enables fast iteration with built-in monitoring and testing tools.

Also Read: Top 20 Spring Boot Features for Java Developers

3. Hibernate

Hibernate is a popular ORM framework that maps Java objects to database tables. It simplifies database operations using object-oriented code with full support for JPA specifications.

Tools Required: Java SDK, Hibernate Core, JPA API, JDBC Driver, Maven, Gradle, Eclipse IDE, IntelliJ

Key Features:

• Object-Relational Mapping (ORM): Maps Java classes to database tables automatically. Reduces manual SQL code and synchronizes object states with the database.
• HQL (Hibernate Query Language): Provides a powerful query language similar to SQL. Supports joins, aggregation and filtering directly on Java objects.
• Lazy and Eager Loading: Manages when related data is fetched. Lazy loading defers queries, while eager loading fetches everything immediately.
• Caching Support: Supports first-level and second-level caching. Improves performance by reducing repeated database access for the same data.

Use Cases:

• Inventory Management System: Hibernate manages product, stock, and supplier data. It handles object persistence, relationships, and schema generation.
• Employee Record Database: Used for storing and retrieving employee details with HQL. Caching enhances performance for frequent record access.

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Also Read: Top 50 Hibernate Interview Questions & Answers [For Beginners & Experienced]

4. Jakarta EE

Jakarta EE is an enterprise-grade Java platform for building large, secure, and transactional applications. It provides standardized APIs for web services, persistence, messaging, and other related services.

Tools Required: Java SDK, Jakarta EE APIs, GlassFish, Payara, WildFly, Maven, Gradle, Eclipse, IntelliJ

Key Features:

• Servlet and JSP Support: Provides APIs for handling HTTP requests and dynamic content. Forms the foundation of Java-based web applications.
• Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB): Supports distributed transactions, security, and concurrency. Useful for stateless and stateful session beans in enterprise systems.
• JPA (Jakarta Persistence API): Standardizes object-relational mapping for data persistence. Integrates with databases through annotations and entity classes.
• CDI (Contexts and Dependency Injection): Manages application scope and injection. Simplifies dependency management and lifecycle handling for enterprise components.

Use Cases:

• Government Service Portals: Jakarta EE handles complex workflows, multi-user sessions, and secure data transfer using EJBs and Servlets.
• Telecom Billing Systems: Used to manage session beans and database transactions. JPA maps customer and usage records into a scalable storage system.

Also Read: JavaBeans Properties & Benefits: How Should You Utilize?

5. Micronaut

Micronaut is a lightweight Java framework designed for microservices and serverless systems. It uses compile-time dependency injection for faster performance. Its low memory consumption and quick startup make it suitable for edge and cloud-native applications.

Tools Required: Java SDK, Micronaut CLI, Micronaut Core, Gradle, Maven, IntelliJ, Visual Studio Code

Key Features:

• Compile-Time Dependency Injection: Micronaut performs dependency injection at compile time using annotation processors. This eliminates reflection and reduces startup delay.
• Fast Startup and Low Memory: Applications typically start within milliseconds. Runtime memory usage remains low, often under 50MB, depending on configuration.
• Reactive Programming Support: Supports RxJava and Reactor for non-blocking I/O. Enables asynchronous HTTP clients and event-driven request handling.
• Built-in HTTP Server: Uses Netty-based embedded server. Allows developers to build RESTful APIs without relying on external servlet containers, such as Tomcat.

Use Cases:

• Serverless Image Processing API: Runs on AWS Lambda using Micronaut AWS module. AOT compilation improves cold start performance and reduces memory overhead.
• IoT Device Telemetry Service: Collects sensor data using MQTT over Netty. Suitable for low-resource edge devices with limited RAM and CPU resources.

Also Read: 45+ Must-Know Microservices Interview Questions and Answers for 2025

6. Quarkus

Quarkus is a Kubernetes-native Java framework customized for containerized and serverless environments. It utilizes GraalVM and HotSpot to optimize startup and memory usage. Designed for microservices, it supports reactive programming and imperative code with fast boot times.

Tools Required: Java SDK, Quarkus CLI, GraalVM, Maven, Gradle, IntelliJ, Visual Studio Code

Key Features:

• Compile-Time Boot and Dependency Injection: Uses build-time metadata processing. Reduces reflection and runtime scanning for fast startup and low memory usage.
• GraalVM Native Image Support: Applications can be compiled into native binaries. This significantly improves startup speed and reduces memory consumption.
• Reactive and Imperative Programming: Supports both reactive and traditional styles. Developers can use Mutiny or RESTEasy Reactive for event-driven logic.
• Kubernetes-Native Configuration: Supports configuration via Kubernetes ConfigMaps and Secrets. Quarkus extensions simplify deployment to OpenShift and K8s clusters.

Use Cases:

• Containerized Banking Microservice: Starts in under 50 milliseconds using a native image. Exposes secure REST APIs using RESTEasy Reactive and handles JWT-based authentication.
• Edge Fraud Detection Engine:  Runs on ARM-based edge devices. Uses Apache Kafka extension to process transaction streams and flag anomalies in near real-time.

Also Read: Java MVC Project [Step-By-Step Process Explained]

7. Dropwizard

Dropwizard is a Java framework designed to build RESTful web services and microservices quickly. It combines stable libraries into a simple, lightweight package for fast development and deployment.

Tools Required: Java SDK, Dropwizard Core, Maven or Gradle, IntelliJ, Eclipse, Visual Studio Code

Key Features:

• Integrated Libraries: Dropwizard bundles Jetty for HTTP, Jersey for REST, Jackson for JSON, and Metrics for monitoring. This eliminates configuration overhead.
• Fast Setup: Projects start quickly using Dropwizard’s default configurations. Developers can run applications with minimal setup and boilerplate code.
• Health Checks and Metrics: Built-in support for application health checks and detailed metrics tracking. Metrics integrate with tools like Graphite and Prometheus.
• Configuration Management: Uses YAML files for external configuration. Supports environment-specific settings and secure credential management.

Use Cases:

• RESTful Microservice Backend: Dropwizard provides stable, lightweight REST endpoints for internal microservices in large distributed systems.
• API for Data Analytics Platform: Used to expose analytics data with high throughput and low latency. Health checks help maintain service availability, ensuring the continuous performance of data analytics services while monitoring and optimizing system health.

Also Read: 50 Java Projects With Source Code in 2025: From Beginner to Advanced

8. Play Framework

Play is a reactive web framework for Java and Scala that follows the model-view-controller (MVC) architecture. It emphasizes high performance, developer productivity, and scalability for building stateless web and REST applications.

Tools Required: Java SDK, Play Framework, sbt or Maven, IntelliJ, Visual Studio Code

Key Features:

• Asynchronous and Non-blocking I/O: Play uses Akka under the hood for asynchronous request handling. It supports high concurrency without blocking threads.
• Hot Reloading and Developer-Friendly: Code and template changes are recompiled on the fly. Developers see updates instantly without needing to restart the server.
• Built-in JSON Support: Play has native support for JSON using Jackson or Play JSON. It simplifies request parsing and API response formatting.
• Stateless and Scalable: The framework is designed to be stateless. This makes horizontal scaling and load balancing more predictable and manageable.

Use Cases:

• Streaming Media Web Service: Play is used to build APIs that stream audio or video. Its non-blocking nature helps serve large files efficiently to multiple users.
• High-Concurrency Chat Application: Play handles multiple chat sessions simultaneously. Akka actors manage messaging while the HTTP layer remains responsive under load.

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Also Read: What is MVC Architecture in Java? Explained

9. Vaadin

Vaadin is a Java framework for building modern web applications with server-side logic and a rich client-side UI. It enables developers to create UIs in Java without manually writing HTML or JavaScript.

Tools Required: Java SDK, Vaadin Core or Flow, Maven or Gradle, IntelliJ, Visual Studio Code

Key Features:

• Java-Based UI Development: Vaadin enables the construction of user interfaces using Java classes. Developers avoid direct HTML, CSS, or JavaScript coding for most tasks.
• Two-Way Data Binding: The framework supports data binding between UI components and backend objects. Changes in data are instantly reflected in the UI.
• Built-in Component Library: Vaadin includes pre-designed UI elements, such as forms, charts, grids, and buttons. All components are accessible and responsive by default.
• Server-Side Rendering and Routing: UI logic executes on the server. Vaadin manages routing, sessions, and state without needing client-side frameworks.

Use Cases:

• Internal Business Dashboard: Vaadin is used to build data-driven dashboards with complex forms and grids. It allows Java developers to create UI logic without frontend code.
• Inventory Management System: Vaadin supports secure CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations on inventory items. Server-side architecture simplifies integration with databases and enterprise APIs.

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10. JHipster

JHipster is a development platform for generating full-stack Java applications. It combines Spring Boot for the backend with Angular, React, or Vue.js for the front end. It automates project setup, security, and CI/CD integration.

Tools Required: Java SDK, Node.js, JHipster CLI, Spring Boot, Maven or Gradle, Docker, IntelliJ, Visual Studio Code

Key Features:

• Full-Stack Code Generation: JHipster generates complete applications with backend APIs, frontend UI, and configurations for databases and build tools.
• Microservice and Monolith Support: You can generate monolithic applications or distributed microservices. It supports service discovery, gateways, and API gateways like Netflix Zuul or Spring Cloud Gateway.
• Authentication and Authorization Built-In: JHipster provides user management with JWT, OAuth 2.0, or session-based login. It supports role-based access control out of the box.
• DevOps and CI/CD Integration: The DevOps platform can generate configuration files for Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI to automate deployment and testing.

Use Cases:

• Enterprise HR Management System: JHipster generates backend services and UI for managing employees, departments, and payroll. OAuth-based login controls access by role.
• Cloud-Native E-commerce Platform: Using the microservice blueprint, developers create scalable services for orders, carts, and payments. Services communicate securely via REST or gRPC.

Ready to accelerate your career in the cloud world? Join upGrad’s Professional Certificate Program in Cloud Computing and DevOps for hands-on training in AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Docker, and Kubernetes.

Here’s a quick comparison of the Java frameworks based on architecture style, learning curve, and cloud-native support:

Also Read: Spring vs Spring Boot: Understanding the Difference Between Spring and Spring Boot in 2025

How to Choose the Right Java Framework for Your Project?

Selecting a Java framework depends on the project's goals, system architecture, and scalability requirements. Each framework is suited to specific application types and deployment models. These factors must be evaluated based on how well the framework fits your project’s needs and limitations.

Here are the key technical factors to consider when selecting a Java framework:

1. Project Architecture

Every framework supports specific architectural patterns better than others. Your decision should align with whether you're building a monolith, microservice, or serverless system.

• Monolithic and Layered Applications: These are traditional web applications where business logic and UI reside in a single deployable unit.
  • Spring Boot: It provides a layered architecture with dependency injection and embedded servers.
  • JHipster: It scaffolds monolithic apps with user authentication and admin interfaces.
• Microservices and Distributed Systems: These require frameworks optimized for modularity, service isolation, and inter-service communication.
  • Micronaut: It uses compile-time injection to minimize memory and startup delays.
  • Quarkus: It supports reactive microservices with native image generation for fast boot times.
• Lightweight REST Services: For small APIs or internal services, frameworks with minimal overhead are preferred.
  • Dropwizard: It provides out-of-the-box support for RESTful services, including metrics and health checks.

2. Cloud Support and Deployment

If your project is containerized or runs in serverless environments, framework compatibility with cloud platforms becomes critical.

• Kubernetes and Docker Compatibility: Support for containerization tools reduces manual configuration during deployment, streamlining the process.
  • Spring Boot, Micronaut, and Quarkus: They include Dockerfile templates and Helm charts.
  • JHipster: It generates Docker and Kubernetes config files with service discovery support.
• Serverless-Ready Architecture: Serverless applications demand fast cold starts and low memory consumption.
  • Micronaut and Quarkus: It supports AWS Lambda with native binaries via GraalVM. These frameworks avoid runtime reflection and support AOT compilation.

3. Startup Time and Memory Efficiency

Applications with short lifecycle events, such as command-line tools or serverless functions, benefit from frameworks that provide fast initialization and low runtime memory usage.

• Fast Startup: Quick boot times reduce resource consumption and improve responsiveness in dynamic environments.
  • Micronaut and Quarkus: It initializes in milliseconds using AOT-generated metadata.
  • Spring Boot takes longer due to runtime classpath scanning.
• Memory Footprint: Low RAM usage is essential for horizontal scaling and edge deployments.
  • Quarkus and Micronaut: They can run with less than 50MB of RAM.
  • Jakarta EE and Spring Boot: They generally consume more due to larger runtimes.

4. Developer Learning Curve

Framework complexity influences team productivity. Choosing a framework familiar to your team reduces onboarding time and improves output.

• Beginner-Friendly Frameworks: Frameworks with clear documentation, conventions, and starter projects are easier to adopt.
  • Spring Boot: This framework provides pre-configured starters, reducing the need for boilerplate code.
  • Vaadin: It allows Java developers to build UIs without JavaScript.
• Advanced or Niche Frameworks: Some frameworks need knowledge of asynchronous programming or specific runtimes.
  • Play Framework: It relies on Akka actors and non-blocking operations.
  • Jakarta EE: It requires an understanding of JAX-RS, EJB, and servlet lifecycles.

5. Frontend Requirements

Some frameworks include UI capabilities, while others require separate frontend stacks. Consider your frontend needs when choosing a backend framework.

• Integrated UI Development: Certain frameworks provide built-in UI components or bind directly to frontend code.
  • Vaadin: It allows server-side Java to control HTML components.
  • JHipster: It auto-generates frontends in Angular, React, or Vue.
• API-Only Backend: If you're building a REST API for frontend teams, focus on frameworks that separate UI concerns.
  • Spring Boot, Dropwizard, and Micronaut: These frameworks are backend-only and frontend-agnostic.

6. Build Tools and CLI Support

Frameworks with integrated build systems and command-line interfaces speed up development and testing.

• Automated Project Scaffolding: Command-line tools help generate boilerplate code and config files.
  • JHipster CLI: It generates full-stack code, Docker config, and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Micronaut CLI: It scaffolds modules with test stubs and application profiles.
• Build System Compatibility: Frameworks must integrate well with Maven or Gradle for dependency and lifecycle management.
  • Spring Boot, Hibernate, and Vaadin: It supports both Maven and Gradle.
  • Play Framework: It uses sbt for Scala-based projects and Maven for Java.

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Also Read: Top 10 Free Java Courses with Certificates for In-Demand Java Jobs

Enhance Your Java Framework Skills with upGrad!

The Java frameworks, including Spring, Hibernate, JavaFX, and Grails, are essential for creating web, desktop, and enterprise applications in Java. Working effectively with these frameworks requires proficiency in core Java concepts, object-oriented programming, and database management.

To help you build and enhance these skills, upGrad offers specialized courses focused on software development. These programs provide hands-on experience and equip you with the knowledge needed to advance your career in Java development.

Here are a few additional courses that can further enhance your coding skills:

• Data Structures & Algorithms
• Advanced JavaScript for All
• React.js For Beginners
• Object-Oriented Analysis and Design for Beginners
• Professional Certificate Program in Data Science and AI

Are you struggling to find the right Java software development course to match your goals in 2025? Reach out to upGrad for personalized counseling and valuable insights, or visit your nearest upGrad offline center for more details.

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References:
https://www.slajobs.com/top-15-facts-about-java/
https://www.cybersuccess.biz/interesting-facts-java-programming-language/