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Ktor VS Kotlin

Compare Ktor VS Kotlin and see what are their differences

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Ktor logo Ktor

Ktor is a tough gig developmental platform that comes with the support to build asynchronous servers and clients right in the kotlin.

Kotlin logo Kotlin

Statically typed Programming Language targeting JVM and JavaScript
  • Ktor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-05
  • Kotlin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-09

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

Ktor features and specs

  • Asynchronous and Non-blocking
    Ktor is built on top of Kotlin coroutines, which allows it to handle high concurrency with ease through non-blocking I/O operations, providing better performance under load compared to traditional blocking frameworks.
  • Kotlin-first
    Being designed specifically for Kotlin, Ktor fully leverages Kotlin's language features like DSLs and coroutines, providing a concise and readable syntax that is well integrated with Kotlin's ecosystem.
  • Flexible and Modular Architecture
    Ktor offers a highly modular architecture, allowing developers to include only the components they need, which can help reduce the application's footprint and tailor the application to specific use cases.
  • Multi-platform Capabilities
    Ktor can be used to develop applications that target different platforms, such as JVM, Android, and native, making it a suitable choice for multi-platform projects.
  • Strong Community and Active Development
    With JetBrains backing and a growing community, Ktor benefits from active development, continuous improvements, and a wealth of community-contributed plugins and resources.

Possible disadvantages of Ktor

  • Relatively Young Framework
    Being a newer framework compared to some established ones like Spring, Ktor might have fewer resources, tutorials, and community-driven content available, which could present a learning curve for new users.
  • Less Mature Ecosystem
    Due to its relative youth, Ktor's ecosystem might not be as mature or extensive as more established frameworks, potentially requiring extra effort when integrating with third-party tools and services.
  • Limited Built-in Features
    While Ktor's modularity is a strength, it also means that some features available out-of-the-box in bulkier frameworks may require additional configuration or setup, potentially increasing development time for some projects.
  • Documentation Gaps
    Though improving, Ktor's documentation may not be as comprehensive as that of older frameworks, which can cause challenges when developers seek guidance on implementing specific features or troubleshooting issues.
  • Requires Kotlin Expertise
    Given that Ktor is designed specifically for Kotlin, developers without prior Kotlin experience may face a steeper learning curve when working with this framework compared to more language-agnostic tools.

Kotlin features and specs

  • 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 of Kotlin

  • 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 of Kotlin

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."}

Ktor videos

Ktor: Past, Present, and Future! by Hadi Hariri

More videos:

  • Review - Unlimited Emergency Power: KTOR 50 Watt Generator and Inergy Kodiak Battery

Kotlin videos

10 reasons to try Kotlin for Android development

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Ktor and Kotlin)
Development
100 100%
0% 0
Programming Language
0 0%
100% 100
Web Frameworks
100 100%
0% 0
OOP
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Ktor and Kotlin

Ktor Reviews

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Kotlin Reviews

Explore 9 Top Eclipse Alternatives for 2024
Cross-platform development with variants targeting JVM (Kotlin/JVM), JavaScript (Kotlin/JS), and native code (Kotlin/Native).
Source: aircada.com
Top 10 Rust Alternatives
The last computer programming language to stand out as an exceptional alternative to Rust is named Kotlin. It is typed statically and was manufactured for Java machines.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Kotlin should be more popular than Ktor. It has been mentiond 81 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Ktor mentions (33)

  • The Fread Project is Now Open Source, Based on Kotlin Multiplatform and Compose Multiplatform
    Ktor: Networking and communication. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • An advanced Data Table with HTMX
    Kotlin / Ktor: Ktor is a Kotlin framework that allows developing HTTP APIs. It’s somewhat equivalent to Express or Fastify in Kotlin. One of the advantages of the Hypermedia approach is that it allows development in a language other than Javascript, and I took this opportunity for these demos. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Ktor -Create asynchronous applications the Kotlin way!!
    If you want to learn more about Ktor, visit this site. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Building a subscription tracker Desktop and iOS app with compose multiplatform - Configuring Notion
    To make requests to Notion's API, we will work with Ktor to instantiate an HTTP client on our app. - Source: dev.to / 12 months ago
  • Kotlin Routing - routing everything
    In paralel Jetbrains has created a lot of KMP frameworks that are awesome. One of them is Ktor that helps "create asynchronous client and server applications.". - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
View more

Kotlin mentions (81)

  • Doodle Weather Clone
    Doodle helps you create beautiful, modern apps entirely in Kotlin. Its render model is intuitive yet powerful, making it easy to achieve complex UIs with pixel level precision and layouts. This simplicity and power applies to everything from user input to drag and drop. Doodle lets you build and animate anything. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Kotlin vs. Java: A Grand Finale and Farewell (But Not Goodbye!)
    Kotlin Official Website: Your one-stop shop for all things Kotlin, with comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and resources: https://kotlinlang.org/. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Day 0 of #100daysofMiva || Setting up for success
    Next, I selected the technologies and frameworks I want to focus on during this challenge. For frontend development, I'll be exploring Reactjs, Vue.js, Bootstrap, Next.js, and MUI. For backend development, I'll be diving into Express, Django, Node.js, PHP, and Firebase. Additionally, I'll be learning Kotlin, React Native, and Flutter for mobile development, and APIs, PostgreSQL, Cloud, and MongoDB for full stack... - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • Better Animations... in Latest Doodle
    Doodle helps you create beautiful, modern apps entirely in Kotlin. Its render model is intuitive yet powerful, making it easy to achieve complex UIs with pixel level precision and layouts. This simplicity and power applies to everything from user input to drag and drop. Doodle lets you build and animate anything. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • The Top Programming Languages to Learn in 2024
    Kotlin, fully interoperable with Java, is increasingly used for Android app development. It offers a more concise syntax and improved safety features compared to Java, making it a modern language for mobile development. Discover more about Kotlin here. - Source: dev.to / 12 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

Micronaut Framework - Build modular easily testable microservice & serverless apps

JavaScript - Lightweight, interpreted, object-oriented language with first-class functions

Laravel - A PHP Framework For Web Artisans

Python - Python is a clear and powerful object-oriented programming language, comparable to Perl, Ruby, Scheme, or Java.

Django - The Web framework for perfectionists with deadlines

Dart - A new web programming language with libraries, a virtual machine, and tools