⚡ Java Backend Frameworks

Java backend frameworks are built with the Java programming language and are commonly used for developing large-scale and enterprise-grade server-side applications.

They typically emphasize strong typing, modular architectures, high performance, advanced security models, and deep integration with enterprise systems, middleware, and long-running service environments.

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⭐ Most Popular in 2026

The following chart shows the leading Java-based backend frameworks in 2026, based on market share.

The most popular is Jakarta Servlet with a share of 2%, followed by Apache Sling with 1.4% and Jakarta Server Pages with 1.2%.

✨ Best Java Backend Frameworks

Below is a more detailed list of 13 Java-based backend frameworks we track, ranked by their market share.

Available filters: PHP Python Java .NET Node.js Ruby Go
RankNameMarket share
1
Jakarta Servlet
Brussels, Belgium

Enables developers to write web UIs using pure Java.

FreeOpen source
2
Apache Sling
Wilmington, Delaware, United States

An open-source web framework that uses a Java Content Repository, such as Apache Jackrabbit, to store and manage content.

FreeOpen source
3
Jakarta Server Pages
Brussels, Belgium

A technology that enables developers to create dynamic web content using XML markup, custom tags, expression language, and Java.

FreeOpen source
4
Struts
Wilmington, Delaware, United States

An open-source MVC framework for creating modern Java web applications.

FreeOpen source
5
Java Portlet
Brussels, Belgium

Pluggable user interface software components that are managed and displayed in a web portal.
6
Spring
Palo Alto, United States

A Java framework for building enterprise-grade applications.

FreeOpen source
7
Play Framework
France

A community-maintained, high-velocity web framework for Java and Scala.

FreeOpen source
8
Apache Wicket
Wilmington, Delaware, United States

A component-oriented backend framework for Java that enables developers to build dynamic web applications using pure Java and HTML.

FreeOpen source
9
Grails
Wilmington, Delaware, United States

A Groovy-based web application framework for the JVM built on top of Spring Boot.

FreeOpen source
10
Vaadin
Turku, Finland

A full-stack platform for building responsive, modern web applications in Java, featuring a library of UI components and powerful development tools.

FreeOpen source$9+/developer/month
11
Apache Cocoon
Wilmington, Delaware, United States

An open-source Java web application framework built around XML processing and retired in January 2025.

FreeOpen sourceLegacy
12
ZK Framework
Taipei, Taiwan

An open-source Java framework for building enterprise web and mobile applications.

FreeOpen source$999+/developer/year
13
Ninja Framework

A full-stack web framework for Java designed for rapid development and scalability.

FreeOpen source

👉 See Also

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