Software Alternatives & Startups

Java VS Kotlin

Compare Java VS Kotlin and see what are their differences

Java

A concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, language specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible

Rating
0 reviews
Kotlin

Statically typed Programming Language targeting JVM and JavaScript

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Kotlin seems to be a lot more popular than Java. While we know about 84 links to Kotlin, we've tracked only 7 mentions of Java.

social mentions
7 vs 84
Programming Language popularity
40% vs 60%
alternatives listed
99 vs 98

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Java
Kotlin
Website java.com kotlinlang.org
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

About Java and Kotlin

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Java
Kotlin

We recommend LibHunt Java for discovery and comparisons of trending Java projects.

Read more about Java

We recommend LibHunt Kotlin for discovery and comparisons of trending Kotlin projects.

Read more about Kotlin

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Java 5 features
Kotlin 7 features
  • Platform Independence
    Java is known for its portability across multiple platforms via the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). This means you can write code once and run it anywhere.
  • Large Standard Library
    Java boasts a comprehensive standard library, which facilitates development by providing pre-built solutions for a wide array of programming tasks.
  • Robust and Secure
    Java emphasizes strong memory management and has built-in security features, making it a reliable choice for applications requiring high levels of security.
  • Community Support
    With a vast and active community, ample resources are available for learning and troubleshooting. Numerous libraries and frameworks are available due to its long-standing presence.
  • Performance
    Modern Java versions offer performance that is generally very good for many applications, particularly server-side applications where the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler can significantly optimize runtime performance.

Possible disadvantages

  • Verbosity
    Java's syntax can be verbose compared to newer languages, requiring more lines of code to accomplish the same tasks, which may reduce readability.
  • Memory Consumption
    Java applications can be memory-intensive due to their reliance on the JVM, which can be a downside for resource-constrained environments.
  • Performance Overhead
    Despite its generally good performance, Java's reliance on the JVM introduces some overhead compared to languages that compile to native machine code, such as C++.
  • No Low-Level Programming
    Java abstracts away from the hardware, making it less suitable for low-level programming tasks that require direct hardware manipulation, such as embedded systems programming.
  • Slow Startup Time
    Java applications can have slower startup times due to the overhead of JVM initialization, which can be a drawback for desktop applications or command-line tools that are frequently started and stopped.
  • Interoperability
    Kotlin is fully interoperable with Java, which means developers can use both languages within the same project and have seamless communications between them.
  • Conciseness
    Kotlin reduces boilerplate code, making the codebase easier to read and maintain. It offers concise syntax and reduces the amount of code.
  • Null Safety
    Kotlin's type system is designed to eliminate null pointer exceptions by making all types non-nullable by default, thus enhancing reliability and reducing runtime crashes.
  • Coroutines
    Kotlin provides built-in support for coroutines, which makes writing asynchronous code more straightforward and readable compared to traditional approaches.
  • Modern Language Features
    Kotlin includes advanced features such as lambda expressions, extension functions, higher-order functions, and more, improving productivity and providing more expressive code constructs.
  • Full Tooling Support
    Kotlin is supported by major IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA, Android Studio, Eclipse, and others, with full tooling support including debugging, refactoring, and linting.
  • Community and Ecosystem
    Kotlin has a growing and vibrant community with extensive resources, libraries, and frameworks that support a wide range of programming needs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Despite its modern features, Kotlin has a learning curve, especially for developers who are more familiar with Java or other programming languages.
  • Compilation Speed
    Kotlin's compilation speed is often slower compared to Java, which can impact the development workflow, especially in larger projects.
  • Runtime Performance
    While Kotlin performs comparably to Java in many cases, there can be minor performance hits in certain scenarios due to additional language features.
  • Fewer Resources Compared to Java
    Although growing, Kotlin's ecosystem of libraries and frameworks is still smaller compared to Java's well-established and extensive ecosystem.
  • Tooling Maturity
    While support in major IDEs is robust, some third-party tools and plugins may not fully support Kotlin, leading to potential integration issues.
  • Android Specific Challenges
    In the context of Android development, some legacy libraries and tools might not be fully compatible with Kotlin, necessitating additional workarounds.
  • Job Market
    While demand for Kotlin developers is growing, Java still dominates the job market, which may limit opportunities for Kotlin-focused roles in certain regions.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Java
Kotlin

Overall verdict

  • Java remains a strong and relevant choice for software development, particularly in enterprise environments. It is a mature language with ongoing support and updates, ensuring it remains viable and secure for modern applications.

Why this product is good

  • Java is a versatile and powerful programming language that has been used extensively for developing a wide range of applications. It is platform-independent due to its 'write once, run anywhere' capability, thanks to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Java is known for its robustness, extensive libraries, and strong community support, making it a reliable choice for developers.

Recommended for

  • Enterprise-level applications
  • Web applications
  • Android app development
  • Scientific and research projects
  • Big data technologies

Overall verdict

  • Kotlin is highly regarded as a modern, safe, and efficient language for a variety of development tasks, specifically for Android app development.

Why this product is good

  • Modern features
    Kotlin offers modern programming features such as null safety, extension functions, and a concise syntax which make it more expressive and safer compared to some older languages.
  • Tooling support
    Kotlin is supported by leading IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA and Android Studio, providing efficient tools and plugins for a better development experience.
  • Interoperability
    It is fully interoperable with Java, allowing developers to gradually transition or integrate it into existing Java codebases without difficulties.
  • Community and backing
    Kotlin is backed by JetBrains and Google, with a growing community and a wealth of resources, tutorials, and libraries available.

Recommended for

    {"android_development" => "Kotlin is the preferred language for Android app development, officially supported by Google.", "modern_java_programming" => "Kotlin is recommended for developers looking to modernize Java-based applications or start new projects with a more modern language.", "multi-platform_projects" => "It is well-suited for multi-platform projects, as it can target JVM, Android, JavaScript, and native platforms efficiently."}

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Java 3 videos + Add
Kotlin 3 videos + Add

AP Computer Science in 10 Minutes (Java review)

More videos

  • - Java AP CS Exam Review
  • - Top Five Basic Programming Concepts of Object-Oriented Java - Six Minute Refresher!

10 reasons to try Kotlin for Android development

More videos

  • - What can Kotlin do for me? (GDD Europe '17)
  • - Java or Kotlin for Android Development – Which One Is Better?

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Java
Kotlin
40% 40%
60% 60%
48% 48%
OOP
52% 52%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Java and Kotlin. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Java no reviews yet
Kotlin no reviews yet

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Java 7 mentions
Kotlin 84 mentions
  • Can someone help with port forwarding?
    You can use UPnP PortMapper. Source code/Download. All you need is Java and that's it. Hope this helps. Source: over 4 years ago
  • PolyGlot 3.5 Release
    I would definitely suggest installing Java for this one, and the error should have asked you to do so. I'll have to look into why that was not popping properly for you and address it in a bug fix. In the mean time, you can address the... Source: over 4 years ago
  • i need help pls
    Https://java.com/en/ Is this the java you're using to install optifine. When I first got optifine I thought java meant Minecraft and not java. Source: almost 5 years ago

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  • Building Modular Monoliths With Kotlin and Spring
    Modular monolith architecture allows you to split the application logic into isolated modules with their own business logic, while still being deployed as a single artifact. It combines the benefits of a modular design while maintaining... - Source: dev.to / 3 days ago
  • The JVM Speaks AI: Cobrainer's Journey with Kotlin, Koog and Exposed
    If you are considering AI development on the JVM, the ecosystem is ready. Have a look at Koog, Exposed, and Kotlin. We thank the JetBrains teams behind all three for their frequent releases and responsiveness. - Source: dev.to / 6 days ago
  • Leveraging Stack Traces for SQL Performance Analysis in Spring Boot Applications
    All code examples in this article are written in Kotlin, leveraging its concise syntax, null safety, and seamless Java interoperability. Kotlin's expressive language features make the implementation more readable and maintainable... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago

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Alternatives to Java and Kotlin

When comparing Java and Kotlin, you can also consider the following products.