A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

In the world of Java application development, the Spring Framework is often the go-to choice. However, it’s not the only player in town. MicronautQuarkusDropwizard, and Play Framework offer compelling alternatives to Spring, each with unique features for specific needs.

Whether you’re looking for Java microserviceslightweight frameworks, or reactive programming options, understanding these frameworks can significantly enhance your backend development process.

Spring alternatives

FrameworkLanguageProgramming ModelKey FeaturesIdeal Use Cases
MicronautJava, Kotlin, GroovyReactive, annotation-basedFast startup, low memory footprint, AOT compilationMicroservices, serverless
QuarkusJava, KotlinImperative and reactiveContainer-first, unified imperative/reactive programmingCloud-native, Kubernetes-optimized
Vert.xJava, JS, Groovy, Ruby, Ceylon, Kotlin, ScalaEvent-driven, non-blockingPolyglot, high scalability, reactiveReactive applications, microservices
RatpackJava, GroovyEvent-driven, non-blockingLightweight, fast, built for asyncHigh-performance web apps
JavalinJava, KotlinSimple, lightweightEasy to use, rapid developmentSimple REST APIs, web apps
SparkJava, KotlinMicro-frameworkSimple, expressive syntaxQuick RESTful web services
PlayJava, ScalaMVCAsynchronous, Scala supportWeb applications, REST APIs
LagomJava, ScalaReactive, microservicesBuilt-in microservices support, CQRS/ESReactive microservices
HelidonJavaMicro-frameworkMicroprofile and SE implementations, GraalVM compatibilityMicroservices, cloud-native apps
KtorKotlinAsynchronousKotlin-based, DSL for building web applicationsAsynchronous web applications
StrutsJavaMVCClassic, action-based frameworkLegacy Java web applications
VaadinJavaComponent-based, event-drivenRich web UI componentsDesktop-like web applications
PippoJavaMicro-frameworkLightweight, modular, template enginesSmall to medium web applications
NinjaJavaFull-stackConvention over configuration, statelessRapid application development
JoobyJava, KotlinModular, scriptableMicroservices, multiprotocolModular Java backends
ArmeriaJavaAsynchronousHTTP/2, gRPC, Thrift, scalableMicroservices, asynchronous networks
JHipsterJava, KotlinApplication generatorGenerates boilerplate code, microservices, Angular/ReactBootstrap new projects quickly

Micronaut

Micronaut A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Micronaut zips through the dev world like a speedster. Picture this: a framework that’s making waves with its insanely quick startup times and minimal memory footprint. It’s like finding a sleek sports car that also happens to be super fuel-efficient. Made with microservices in mind, it’s all about creating apps that are nimble, cloud-friendly, and ready for the future.

Best Features

  • Lightning-fast startup
  • Low memory consumption
  • Easy cloud integration

What we like about it:

There’s buzz around its ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation. Code shoots from your fingertips to a running app with hardly a hiccup in between. It’s like your ideas get fast-tracked to reality.

Quarkus

Quarkus A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Quarkus is the new kid on the block that’s turning heads. It’s built to make Java perfectly suited for containers and microservices, which is like ensuring your concert is just right for the VIPs—the cloud-native crowd. This opens a door to a world where your hefty enterprise apps don’t have to feel so, well, enterprise-y.

Best Features

  • Tailored for Kubernetes
  • Unified configuration system
  • Imperative and reactive coding

What we like about it:

Subatomic particle-sized services; we’re talking about booting up in the blink of an eye and running on the dimes of memory.

Vert.x

Vert.x A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Vert.x brings a new rhythm to the Java scene. It’s not strictly a framework—it’s more like a toolkit, letting you craft reactive apps on the JVM with an artful blend of simplicity and flexibility. And it’s not riding solo, it supports multiple languages so you can groove in whatever language you fancy.

Best Features

  • Polyglot language support
  • Event-driven architecture
  • Scalable and lightweight

What we like about it:

The event loop. It’s like the heart of a festival, pumping beats that keep the vibe flowy and asynchronous.

Ratpack

Ratpack A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Ratpack’s the lean, mean serving machine that cuts through the web development noise. It’s got this simple, no-frills vibe that lets you build slick web services without getting tangled in complexity. And it’s not just about being lightweight; it’s about serving stuff up with speed.

Best Features

  • Minimalist design
  • Powerful and flexible under the hood
  • Non-blocking, fast performance

What we like about it:

The unfussy approach. It’s like skimming the fat off your meal; pure taste, no heaviness.

Javalin

Javalin A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Javalin is Java’s straightforward handshake with simplicity. No massive learning curve, no ceremony, just you and a straight road to setting up web services. It prides itself on its minimal approach, making it a cool option for the quick and dirty coding session.

Best Features

  • Super simple
  • WebSockets and async support
  • Lightweight

What we like about it:

The simplicity. It’s like talking without the need for fancy metaphors.

Spark

Spark A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Not the big data Spark—this one’s all about lighting up your web apps with minimal fuss. Spark framework’s claim to fame is its micro framework size and its immense ease of use that’s perfect for whipping up a quick REST API or a tiny web app. It’s like the espresso of Java web frameworks—small, but packs a punch.

Best Features

  • Immediate productivity
  • Straightforward routing syntax
  • Great for small services

What we like about it:

Instant REST APIs. It’s like microwave magic for web services.

Play

Play-1 A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Play’s the theatre where your reactive applications and microservices get to star in their own show. Born to entertain with features like hot code reloading and a Scala-friendly environment, this guy goes hand in hand with developers looking for high-velocity performance without the drama.

Best Features

  • Hot code reloading
  • Asynchronous everywhere
  • Integrated with Akka

What we like about it:

The hot reloading. It’s like being able to change the tires on your car while speeding down the freeway.

Lagom

Lagom A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Lagom steps onto the Java stage with a cheerful wave, promising to make building microservices less daunting. Its mantra is all about “just right” — not too little, not too much — and that’s a harmony developers often seek. The framework is all about the balance between productivity and magic.

Best Features

  • Service isolation
  • Event sourcing and CQRS patterns
  • Seamless integration with Lightbend Reactive Platform

What we like about it:

The balanced approach. It’s all about making sense of microservices without a migraine.

Helidon

Helidon A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Helidon floats in like a lightweight raft you can steer through Java waters, especially if you’re navigating the microservices currents. It comes in two flavors: Helidon SE, which is the super slim version, and Helidon MP, which lines up more with the MicroProfile specs. It’s like having a dish that’s great whether you choose vegan or gourmet.

Best Features

  • Two editions (SE and MP)
  • MicroProfile APIs
  • Transparent, no magic

What we like about it:

The no-magic part. What you code is what you get, no hidden surprises.

Ktor

Ktor A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Ktor slides into your toolkit as the cool, coroutine-powered framework for Kotlin lovers. And yeah, the K stands for Kotlin. It’s straight out of JetBrains’ labs, which already tells you it’s gonna be tight and polished. Writing asynchronous servers and clients gets as comfy as your favorite bean bag.

Best Features

  • Elegant Kotlin DSL
  • Fully asynchronous
  • Easy to test and maintain

What we like about it:

Coroutines. It’s like having ninjas handling all the complicated stuff silently in the background.

Struts

Struts A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Struts once ruled the Java kingdom, and while it’s an elder among frameworks now, it’s got a legacy you can’t ignore. It’s a bonafide classic for building web applications with a front-controller pattern. It’s been through the wars, seen it all, and still it stands—just make sure you’re up for handling its vintage charm.

Best Features

  • Extensive plugins
  • Robust tag libraries
  • Established community

What we like about it:

The kingpin status. There’s something to be said for experience and undying presence.

Vaadin

Vaadin-33-26-PM A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Vaadin waltzes in with a bag full of rich web components ideal for knocking out complex web applications. It’s quite the artist, designing web UIs on the server-side, abstracting away all the browser fuss, letting you paint your front-end in pure Java.

Best Features

  • Component-based
  • Server-side architecture
  • Strong focus on UX

What we like about it:

The user experience it delivers. It’s like a butler for the web, offering users silver platter service.

Pippo

Pippo A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Pippo might be a lil’ pup in the frame pack, but don’t overlook it. It’s got an Express.js vibe going on, making it sweet for crafting applications swiftly. If you’re after micro or nano services, Pippo could be your unplanned yet delightful coding buddy.

Best Features

  • Small and unassuming
  • Modular and extensible
  • Fast performance

What we like about it:

Snap in plugins and middlewares as easily as Legos. It’s handy like a Swiss knife.

Ninja

Ninja A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Ninja sneaks into Java territory with a full-stack shinobi outfit. It’s all about convention over configuration, so if you like a clear path to follow for building your web app, this one’s your sensei. It’s geared for modern web development and doesn’t like to make a lot of noise about it.

Best Features

  • Convention over configuration
  • Stateless architecture
  • Strong focus on rapid development

What we like about it:

The silent productivity. It’s like coding with stealth mode on.

Jooby

Jooby A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Jooby’s the scrappy underdog the Java world loves to root for. It packs microservices and modular apps into its lightweight ring, ready to rumble with asynchronous results. If you’re eyeing high throughput with low latency, Jooby enters as your contender.

Best Features

  • Modular apps ready
  • Asynchronous results
  • Supports multiple servers

What we like about it:

Speed. It’s all about keeping things moving Quickly. No time for dawdling.

Armeria

Armeria A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Armeria tiptoes in with a sleek melody of asynchronous I/O and super-duper RPC. While it might not be the loudest in the room, it’s certainly a noteworthy framework for when you want your services speaking multiple protocols, all while doing the async dance beautifully.

Best Features

  • Built-in documentation service
  • gRPC and Thrift support
  • JSON, binary, and text wire formats

What we like about it:

Agility with formats. It’s like a polyglot at the UN, speaking everyone’s language flawlessly.

JHipster

JHipster A Fresh Take on Java: The 17 Most Promising Spring Alternatives

Last but definitely head-bopping, JHipster struts in as the tool to kickstart your Java and Spring Boot apps with a rockstar entrance. It’s an application generator that combines the best of both worlds – front-end hustle with back-end muscle. Think of it as the DJ mixing the tracks to get your app party going nonstop.

Best Features

  • Application generator
  • Combines front and back-end
  • Large suite of tools and options

What we like about it:

The kickstart. You power up your dev journey like a jet on the runway.

FAQ On Spring Alternatives

Several frameworks are worth exploring. MicronautQuarkusDropwizardPlay Framework, and Helidon are top choices.

Each of these options caters to specific needs in the world of Java application development, offering unique features for reactive programmingmicroservices, and lightweight Java frameworks.

How does Micronaut differ from Spring?

Micronaut is built with Java microservices in mind, emphasizing low memory consumption and fast startup times.

Unlike Spring, it doesn’t rely on runtime reflection, making it a solid choice for performance optimization and scalability, ideal for modern cloud environments and DevOps integration.

Is Quarkus a good alternative for Java EE developers?

Absolutely. Quarkus is designed for Java Virtual Machine (JVM) environments and emphasizes ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation.

For those involved in enterprise Java applications, Quarkus offers strong support for RESTful APIs, making it a seamless transition from Java EE or Jakarta EE.

Dropwizard simplifies the setup for building RESTful web services. It combines several mature, reliable libraries into a cohesive framework, making configuration management straightforward.

Dropwizard is especially appealing for quickly setting up JVM-based frameworks and focusing on production-ready applications out of the box.

What makes Play Framework unique?

Play Framework is known for its asynchronous and non-blocking architecture, designed for reactive programming. It supports both Java and Scala, offering excellent performance with little overhead.

If your project demands real-time updates and scalability solutions, Play Framework is an excellent alternative.

Can Helidon be used for lightweight microservices?

Yes, Helidon is built for microservice architectures, offering two variants: SE (microframework) and MP (MicroProfile).

It’s lightweight yet robust, making it a suitable choice for enterprise Java applications that require efficient resource utilization and strong performance characteristics.

How does Vert.x support reactive programming?

Vert.x is designed from the ground up as a reactive framework. It supports various languages such as Java, Kotlin, Groovy, and more, making it versatile.

Its event-driven model and non-blocking I/O ensure efficient performance optimization for applications requiring high concurrency and low latency.

What is the role of Jakarta EE in modern web development?

Jakarta EE, the successor to Java EE, continues to support enterprise-level applications with a broad range of APIs. It’s maintained by the Eclipse Foundation and offers robust tools for building and deploying scalable, secure Java backend frameworks, critical for enterprise solutions.

How can JHipster assist in application development?

JHipster combines Spring BootAngular, and Kotlin to streamline the development of modern web applications. It automates a lot of the setup, allowing developers to focus on business logic.

Ideal for full-stack development, it provides a comprehensive approach to building complete Java application systems.

Is Ktor a good framework for Kotlin developers?

Certainly. Ktor, designed by JetBrains, is tailored specifically for Kotlin, offering an expressive and asynchronous framework.

For Kotlin enthusiasts seeking a robust solution for developing RESTful APIs and microservices, Ktor’s flexibility and capability to integrate with various Java ecosystems make it an excellent choice.

Conclusion

Exploring Spring alternatives can open up a world of possibilities in Java application development. Whether it’s Micronaut for low memory consumption, Quarkus for its JVM optimizations, or Dropwizard for straightforward RESTful web services, each framework brings unique benefits to the table.

When working on enterprise Java projects or building reactive programming applications, understanding these options can significantly enhance your development process. By selecting the right framework, you can achieve performance optimization, streamline configuration management, and improve your backend development strategies.

This variety of Java frameworks ensures that you can always find the best tools to match your project’s specific needs.

If you liked this article about Spring alternatives, you should check out this article about Angular alternatives.

There are also similar articles discussing PHP alternativesRuby alternativesRedux alternatives, and Express alternatives.

And let’s not forget about articles on Flask alternativesTypeScript alternativesLaravel alternatives, and Python alternatives.

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