JSP vs Servlet: Difference Between JSP & Servlet [2025]

Did you know? Servlets are generally faster than JSPs because they do not require translation and compilation before execution. Since servlets are pure Java classes compiled beforehand, they can handle requests more efficiently, while JSPs incur overhead during their initial translation into servlets before running.

When Netflix started scaling its streaming service, ensuring fast and seamless content delivery became critical. Behind the scenes, technologies like Java Servlets and JavaServer Pages (JSP) played key roles in handling millions of user requests efficiently. 

While both serve dynamic web content, understanding the differences between JSP and Servlets is crucial for building scalable, high-performance applications. 

In this blog, we’ll explore what sets JSP vs Servlets apart, their ideal use cases, and how choosing the right one can impact your web application's speed and maintainability.

Improve your understanding of JSP vs Servlets with our online software development courses. Learn how to choose the right frameworks for your specific requirements!

What is JSP in Java?

JavaServer Pages (JSP) is a server-side technology used to create dynamic web content. JSP allows developers to embed Java code directly into HTML pages, enabling the creation of interactive and data-driven websites. 

When a JSP page is requested, the server translates it into a Servlet, compiles it, and executes it to generate HTML sent to the client. JSP is particularly useful for designing the presentation layer of web applications because it separates the user interface from business logic, making development more manageable and efficient.

In 2025, professionals who can use frontend frameworks to streamline web applications will be in high demand. If you're looking to develop skills in frontend development, here are some top-rated courses to help you get there:

• AI-Driven Full-Stack Development Bootcamp
• Master of Design in User Experience
• Professional Certificate Program in Cloud Computing and DevOps

Key Features of JSP:

• Ease of Use: Allows embedding of Java code directly within HTML, making it simpler for web designers and developers to create dynamic pages.
• Separation of Concerns: Promotes a clear distinction between the presentation layer (HTML/CSS) and business logic (Java), improving maintainability.
• Reusable Components: Supports custom tags and Expression Language (EL), enabling reuse of code and simplifying complex scripting.

Applications: JSP is widely used in building the front-end of Java web applications where dynamic content generation is needed, such as displaying user-specific data on e-commerce websites, content management systems, or online portals. Its ability to mix static content with dynamic data makes it ideal for developing interactive user interfaces while maintaining clean and modular code.

Lifecycle of JSP

The JSP lifecycle consists of several key stages that ensure dynamic web content is generated efficiently:

1. Translation: The JSP file (.jsp) is translated into a Java Servlet source file (_jsp.java).
2. Compilation: The generated Servlet source file is compiled into a Servlet class file.
3. Class Loading: The Servlet class is loaded into the web container by the class loader.
4. Instantiation: The container creates an instance of the Servlet class.
5. Initialization: The _jspInit() method is called once to initialize the Servlet instance.
6. Request Processing: The _jspService() method handles each client request and generates the response. This method cannot be overridden.
7. Destroy: The _jspDestroy() method is called once to clean up before the Servlet instance is removed.

These stages allow JSP to efficiently serve dynamic content by translating and compiling JSP pages into Servlets that execute server-side logic.

If you want to build a higher-level understanding of Javascript, upGrad’s Advanced Javascript for All course is what you need. Learn about prototypes, scopes, classes, modules, async programming, and more to enhance your web development skills and become a proficient JS developer.

Also Read: Top 30+ Java Web Application Technologies You Should Master in 2025

Now that you’re familiar with what is JSP in Java, let’s look at Servlet in Java.

What is Servlet in Java?

A Servlet is a Java programming class used to handle HTTP requests and responses on the server side. Unlike JSP, Servlets are pure Java code that control the flow of an application, manage business logic, and dynamically generate content such as HTML, XML, or JSON. 

Servlets operate at a lower level than JSPs, giving developers fine-grained control over request processing and response generation. They are often used for controlling application logic, managing sessions, and integrating with databases or other backend services in Java web applications.

Key Features of Servlets:

• Efficient Request Handling: Manages client requests and generates dynamic responses quickly and efficiently.
• Robust Control: Provides granular control over the request-response lifecycle, enabling complex business logic implementation.
• Platform Independence: Runs on any server with a compatible Java Servlet container, ensuring portability across environments.

Applications: Servlets are commonly used as the backbone of Java web applications to manage application logic, including user authentication, form processing, and database interactions. They serve as controllers in MVC architecture, processing input, interacting with backend services, and forwarding responses to JSPs or other views for presentation.

Lifecycle of Servlet

The Servlet lifecycle includes four primary stages managed by the Servlet container:

1. Loading and Instantiation: The Servlet container loads the Servlet class and creates an instance when a request is received.
2. Initialization: The container calls the init() method once to prepare the Servlet for handling requests.
3. Request Processing: The service() method processes each client request, reading data and generating appropriate responses while the Servlet remains active.
4. Destruction: The destroy() method is called once before the Servlet instance is removed, allowing for cleanup and resource release.

This lifecycle ensures Servlets efficiently manage client requests and resources throughout their active period.

If you want to improve your knowledge of object-oriented programming, upGrad’s Java Object-oriented Programming can help you. Learn classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and abstraction with practical programming examples.

Also Read: Servlet Life Cycle in Java: Methods, Architecture, Comparison & Setup

Now that you know what is servlet, let’s look at the key differences between JSP vs Servlet.

Difference Between JSP vs Servlet

Servlets are Java classes that handle client requests and generate dynamic content by writing responses directly, offering precise control over business logic and request processing. They excel in managing backend operations and complex workflows.

In contrast, JSP (JavaServer Pages) allows embedding Java code within HTML, making it easier to design dynamic web pages focused on presentation and UI. JSP simplifies development by separating page design from business logic, which is often handled by Servlets.

While Servlets provide robust control and performance, JSP streamlines UI creation, and together, they form the backbone of Java web applications.

Let’s explore the key differences between JSP vs Servlet in detail:

You can build relevant UI/UX skills for advanced web development with upGrad’s Master of Design in User Experience. You’ll learn to create user-centered designs that are innovative, efficient, and aligned with current industry trends, ensuring that your designs are not only functional but also impactful.

Also Read: How To Create Dynamic Web Project Using Eclipse [Step By Step Explanation] 

With a clear understanding of the differences between JSP vs Servlet, let’s explore the advantages of both.

Advantages and Disadvantages of JSP vs Servlet

JSP vs Servlets each offer distinct advantages and trade-offs in Java web development. JSP simplifies creating dynamic web pages by embedding Java code directly within HTML, making it ideal for presentation-focused tasks and rapid UI development, though it can introduce performance overhead and risk mixing business logic with design. 

Servlets provide greater control over request handling and backend processing, delivering better performance and robust integration with Java APIs, but require writing HTML within Java code, which can be more complex and less designer-friendly. 

Choosing between JSP vs Servlets depends on the specific needs of your application, balancing ease of UI creation with the demands of precise control and efficiency.

The Advantages of using Servlets:

• Servlets load only one copy into the Java Virtual Machine. This makes their memory efficient and faster.
• The response time is significantly less, as it saves time to respond to the first request. 
• Servlets are easily accessible, as they use standard API that is used by a large number of web servers.
• It is easy for development and is platform-independent.
• Servlet’s usage doesn’t constrain the web servers. 
• Servlets help developers access a large number of APIs, which are available for Java. 
• It is very easy to maintain multiple Servlets for a single web application.
• Servlet containers provide developers with the facility of support to several other features like resource management, sessions, security, persistent, etc. 
• If servlets have multiple requests, the web containers provide threads to handle more than one request.

Also Read: Best Java Courses Online (Recommended by Developers)

upGrad’s Exclusive Software and Tech Webinar for you –

SAAS Business – What is So Different?

The Advantages of using JSPs:

• JSP can be used to write Servlets.
• JSP is very easy to modify, and therefore, it makes it very convenient.
• Developers can easily show and process information in JSP.
• JSP can use the multithreading feature of Java.
• JSP can be easily connected to the MYSQL databases. 
• JSP can use the exceptional handling feature of Java.
• JSP has better performance and scalability, as developers can embed dynamic elements into the HTML code.
• JSP is based in Java and is platform-independent.

As we have now discussed the advantages of using Servlets and JSPs, we will now take a look at the disadvantages of using both of them, when compared to each other. 

Also Read: Learn 50 Java Projects With Source Code (2025 Edition)

Disadvantages of using Servlet:

• Servlets create threads and not a process when a request arrives.
• It is harder to code and perform exception handling, as Servlet codes are not thread-safe by default.
• Java Runtime Environment is necessary to run Servlets on the server.
• Developing Servlets requires experience and a lot of knowledge of Java Servlets for development.
• Only one Servlet is loaded into the JVM.
• HTML code and Java code are interdependent and can cause errors if changes are not taken into consideration. 

Disadvantages of using JSP:

• It is very difficult for developers to perform database connectivity in JSP.
• As the JSP is compiled on the server, it is not memory and time-efficient.
• It is hard to track errors in JSP files because they are an extension to Servlets. The JSP codes are processed into Servlet codes for compilation.
• As JSP is an HTML file, it doesn’t provide many features. 

Check out: Memory Allocation in Java: Everything You Need To Know

Now that we have covered what is JSP vs Servlet in detail, let’s delve into a detailed comparative analysis.

Comparative analysis: Servlet vs JSP 

JSP Servlet in Java are essential components of Java’s web development stack, each serving a particular purpose while complementing one another.

Let’s do a comparison study to determine their differences and strengths:

Roles and Purpose: JSP is primarily concerned with design, allowing developers to incorporate Java code directly into HTML pages using specific tags. It combines the power of Java with the simplicity of HTML to make it easier to create dynamic web pages. Servlets are Java classes that enhance the capabilities of a web server. They manage requests, process data, and create dynamic content. Servlets are more suited to handling complicated server-side logic and managing business activities.

Structure and Syntax: JSP servlet has a tag-based syntax, making it easier for developers who are familiar with HTML. JSP tags are used to incorporate Java code, and the container compiles the resulting page into a servlet during runtime. Servlets are written entirely in Java and take a procedural approach. They demand more explicit handling of HTML material, necessitating the use of HTML code within the Java class.

Ease of Development: Because of Java’s incorporation with HTML, it is often seen as more user-friendly, particularly for front-end developers. JSP streamlines the generation of dynamic content while reducing the need for substantial Java coding.  Servlets are appropriate for developers with solid Servlets and JSP experience. While servlets provide greater flexibility over application logic, they have a higher learning curve for people unfamiliar with Java.

Maintenance and Concerns: JSP aims to isolate business logic from display, resulting in better code structure. To guarantee readability and maintainability, a clear demarcation between Java code and HTML is required. Servlets Demand a more explicit separation of concerns, which is useful for large-scale systems with complex business logic. However, preserving clarity necessitates disciplined coding techniques.

Flexibility: JSP and Servlet have limited flexibility since they focus mostly on presentational issues. Servlet provides greater flexibility, making it suited for a variety of server-side activities, including managing complicated business processes.

Use Cases:  Project on JSP and Servlet thrives in cases that need HTML-centric development, making it suitable for content-heavy websites. Its tag-based framework enables seamless integration of Java code into HTML, making cooperation between designers and developers easier. Servlets and JSP, on the other hand, excel at activities that need complex business logic, competent request management, and server-side data processing. Their programmatic approach and versatility make them ideal for handling sophisticated server-side tasks in Java web development.

Also Read: Top 10 Java Books to Read to Improve Your Knowledge

Next, let’s understand the importance of JSP vs Servlet in web development.

Importance of using JSP and Servlet

JSP is a server-side technology that allows you to write server-side code and develop web pages in a standard Java programming language. On the other hand, Servlet is a Java API (Application Programming Interface) that enables you to write server-side code and develop web applications in a standard Java programming language.

When you use JSP, you need to write server-side code because it is impossible to access the application’s client-side using only client-side code. When you use Servlet, you can access both the client and server sides of your application without having to write any server-side code. Because JSP is an HTML templating system, it is easy to extend and modify by writing JavaScript or other client-side scripting languages. This makes it suitable for creating dynamic web applications with complex business logic. On the other hand, Servlet is an API that provides functionality such as logging and session tracking. It is suitable for implementing simple user interfaces or front ends for your business logic with limited complexity. JSP is generally more suitable for complex business logic and rapid development. In contrast, Servlet is more suitable for simple UI development, or front ends for your business logic with limited complexity.

Why is JSP better than Servlet? 

When you're deciding between JSP (JavaServer Pages) and Servlets for your web application, it’s important to know why JSP might be the smarter choice. Let’s put it this way: JSP makes your life as a developer easier, cleaner, and more efficient. 

While Servlets are powerful, they often require more effort and boilerplate code. So, why is JSP the better option? Let’s break it down:

1. Separation of Concerns

• JSP allows you to focus on presentation while embedding Java code for dynamic content. You can write your HTML and Java side by side, keeping them separate and easy to manage.
• Servlets mix business logic with HTML generation, which can get messy and harder to maintain as the project grows.

Example: In JSP, you can design your page structure in HTML and inject dynamic content (like user names or product details) using Java. A Servlet, on the other hand, requires you to build the entire HTML output manually, line by line.

2. Less Boilerplate Code

• JSP reduces the amount of repetitive code you need to write. It handles a lot of the lower-level stuff automatically.
• Servlets require you to handle the HTML generation, response writing, and more, which means more code to maintain.

Example: A simple form in JSP is straightforward with embedded tags. In a Servlet, you'd need to handle the request, generate the HTML manually, and send the response back to the client.

3. Easier to Maintain

• JSP makes it easier to update the UI because the presentation (HTML) and the logic (Java) are neatly separated. You can update the layout without touching the backend logic.
  
   
• Servlets can make changes to the UI and logic more difficult since they’re tightly coupled.

Example: Want to change the look of your form in JSP? Just edit the HTML part. In Servlets, you’d need to find and modify the logic that outputs the HTML, which can be more time-consuming.

4. Built-in Tag Libraries

• JSP comes with powerful tag libraries (like JSTL), making it easy to add reusable components without writing Java code.
• Servlets don’t offer this built-in support, so you'd have to build everything from scratch.

Example: Need to loop through a list of users in JSP? You can use JSTL tags to handle the iteration, making your code much cleaner and easier to read. With a Servlet, you’d need to write Java code to iterate and generate HTML manually.

5. Dynamic Content with Less Effort

• JSP allows you to easily embed Java code directly into HTML, making it intuitive to create dynamic content like tables, forms, or user-specific data.
• Servlets are more verbose and require explicit handling of the response, making the development process less efficient.

Example: In JSP, you can easily display a user’s information within the page, with simple Java code embedded inside HTML tags. In Servlets, you’d have to manually construct the entire HTML response.

How Can upGrad Help You Learn Java Programming?

If you wish to gain more knowledge on these technologies and aim to build a career in Web Development, upGrad is here to help. It offers comprehensive programs that guide you from foundational Java concepts to advanced web development skills. 

With hands-on projects, real-world case studies, and expert mentorship, you’ll gain practical experience in building dynamic, scalable web applications. Courses also cover related areas such as Java fundamentals, backend integration, and web architecture, preparing you to master Java-based web development and advance your career. 

Here are some of the top upGrad courses  (including free ones)  to support your Frontend Development journey:

• Object Oriented Analysis and Design for Beginners
• JavaScript Basics from Scratch
• Advanced JavaScript for All
• Node.js For Beginners
• Job-Ready Full Stack Developer Bootcamp
• Professional Certificate Program in UI/UX Design & Design Thinking

For personalized career guidance, contact upGrad’s counselors or visit a nearby upGrad career center. With expert support and an industry-focused curriculum, you'll be prepared to tackle front-end development challenges and advance your career.

Boost your career with our popular Software Engineering courses, offering hands-on training and expert guidance to turn you into a skilled software developer.

Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses

Master in-demand Software Development skills like coding, system design, DevOps, and agile methodologies to excel in today’s competitive tech industry.

In-Demand Software Development Skills

Stay informed with our widely-read Software Development articles, covering everything from coding techniques to the latest advancements in software engineering.

Read our Popular Articles related to Software

References:
https://krishnabankar.medium.com/jsp-and-servlet-f2cd413dfab9