Software Alternatives & Startups
Register | Login

Play Framework VS Apache Struts

Compare Play Framework VS Apache Struts and see what are their differences

Play Framework

An open source web framework which follows the model-view-controller architecture. It is light-weight, web-friendly, and stateless. It provides minimal overhead for highly-scalable applications.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Promote on VibeVoted
Alternatives Is it good?
Apache Struts

Apache Struts is an open-source web application framework for developing Java EE web applications.

Rating
0 reviews
Promote on VibeVoted
Alternatives Is it good?
boldrouter
A unified, OpenAI-compatible gateway to every major LLM provider. One endpoint, one key, one bill - with automatic routing and failover. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Apache Struts should be more popular than Play Framework. It has been mentioned 3 times since March 2021.

social mentions
1 vs 3
Web Frameworks popularity
50% vs 50%
alternatives listed
109 vs 113

Base details

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

Play Framework
Apache Struts
Website playframework.com struts.apache.org
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in
Scala Web Framework Web Frameworks Java Web Framework Scala Programming Programming +2
Web Frameworks Developer Tools JavaScript Framework JavaScript Tools +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Play Framework 7 features
Apache Struts 5 features
  • Scalability
    The Play Framework is built with scalability in mind, making it easier to develop applications that can handle a large number of simultaneous users and requests.
  • Reactive Programming
    Play is based on a reactive programming model, which allows it to handle asynchronous tasks efficiently. This results in better performance and resource utilization.
  • Hot Reloading
    Play supports hot reloading, enabling developers to see changes in real-time without needing to restart the server. This feature boosts productivity by speeding up the development cycle.
  • Java and Scala Support
    The framework supports both Java and Scala, accommodating a wide range of developers and allowing teams to choose their preferred language.
  • Built-in Testing
    Play has built-in support for writing unit and functional tests, offering a comprehensive test framework to ensure code quality and reliability.
  • RESTful by Default
    Play makes it straightforward to build RESTful web services, simplifying the construction of APIs and ensuring that they adhere to REST principles.
  • Extensive Documentation
    The Play Framework boasts extensive and detailed documentation, making it easier for developers to get started and find solutions to common problems.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New developers might find Play’s reactive model and functional programming concepts challenging, especially if they are primarily experienced with traditional web frameworks.
  • Memory Usage
    Play applications can be memory-intensive, which might lead to higher hosting costs compared to lighter frameworks, especially for smaller applications.
  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up and configuring a Play application can be complex and time-consuming, particularly for beginners or small teams without extensive experience.
  • Limited Community Support
    Although Play has a dedicated user base, its community is smaller compared to more popular web frameworks like Spring or Django, potentially making it difficult to find solutions and community-driven resources.
  • Verbose Code
    Play applications may require a significant amount of boilerplate code, particularly when integrating with other services or libraries, leading to potentially verbose and less maintainable codebases.
  • Robust Framework
    Apache Struts is a mature and well-established framework for Java web applications, providing stable and reliable tools for enterprise-level applications.
  • MVC Architecture
    Struts adheres to the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern, which separates business logic, presentation, and navigation, making code maintenance and development easier.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Struts has comprehensive documentation and a wealth of online resources, including tutorials, community forums, and user guides, which can support developers throughout their projects.
  • Rich Tag Library
    It comes with a rich set of custom tags that enhance the JSP (JavaServer Pages) to create dynamic web content easily.
  • Plugin Support
    Apache Struts supports various plugins that can extend its functionality, allowing developers to integrate additional features without much effort.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New developers might find Struts challenging to learn due to its complexity and the need for a good understanding of the MVC architecture and Java web application development.
  • Configuration Overhead
    The framework requires extensive XML configuration, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming compared to convention-over-configuration frameworks.
  • Performance
    Struts can be slower than some newer, lighter frameworks due to its broader feature set and the overhead associated with its extensive configuration.
  • Security Vulnerabilities
    Struts has had notable security vulnerabilities in the past. Although patches and updates are available, it necessitates proactive monitoring and maintenance.
  • Outdated Compared to Modern Frameworks
    With the advent of modern frameworks like Spring MVC and JavaServer Faces, some developers consider Struts to be less up-to-date with the latest web development standards and practices.

Analysis

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

Play Framework
Apache Struts

Overall verdict

  • Play Framework is an excellent choice for developers looking to build scalable and modern web applications. Its asynchronous model and support for reactive programming make it suitable for high-performance applications. However, the learning curve can be steep for developers not familiar with Scala or functional programming concepts.

Why this product is good

  • Ecosystem
    Play Framework has a strong integration with Akka and other Scala-based tools, making it a great choice for applications that can leverage the broader Scala ecosystem.
  • Scalability
    Play Framework is designed to be highly scalable and can handle numerous requests. It's a reactive web framework that uses an asynchronous, non-blocking model which benefits performance, especially for high-traffic applications.
  • Modernwebfeatures
    Play supports a wide range of modern web development features, including RESTful architectures, WebSockets, and JSON handling out of the box.
  • Developerproductivity
    The framework integrates easily with popular build tools like SBT and Maven and supports hot code reloading, which can substantially speed up development cycles.

Recommended for

  • Scala developers
  • Projects requiring high concurrency
  • Applications that need to handle real-time data streaming
  • Developers looking for a full-stack framework with strong integration with the JVM ecosystem

Overall verdict

  • Apache Struts is a robust framework, suitable for building Java-based web applications, but it's crucial to stay vigilant regarding security updates.

Why this product is good

  • Apache Struts is known for its MVC framework, which is useful for creating well-structured and maintainable Java applications. It provides a range of comprehensive features like a flexible tag library, integration with other Java frameworks, and a strong support community. However, it has faced some high-profile security vulnerabilities in the past, underscoring the importance of keeping the framework timely updated.

Recommended for

  • Organizations developing enterprise-level Java applications
  • Developers familiar with Java and looking for a robust MVC framework
  • Teams interested in integrating their web applications with other Java technologies

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Play Framework 1 video + Add
Apache Struts 3 videos + Add

The Play Framework at LinkedIn: Productivity and Performance at Scale

Finding and Fixing Apache Struts CVE-2017-5638 with Black Duck Hub

More videos

  • - Apache Struts 2 - remote command execution
  • - Dark ambient drone music | Vulnerable Apache Struts installation under attack (Java, Jakarta)

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
Play Framework
Apache Struts
50% 50%
Web Frameworks
50% 50%
42% 42%
Developer Tools
58% 58%
100% 100%
Development
0% 0%
0% 0%
JavaScript Tools
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Play Framework and Apache Struts. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

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

Play Framework no reviews yet
Apache Struts no reviews yet

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Play Framework 1 mention
Apache Struts 3 mentions
  • Examples of CompletableFuture-based APIs / state of async in Java?
    I can see the Play framework really leans into async, and only tolerates blocking controllers. What else is out there? Source: about 3 years ago
  • Struts body strings appear 984,485 times while its page title appears 519
    Apache Struts project site, for the framework's role as a component of applications: https://struts.apache.org/. - Source: dev.to / 13 days ago
  • 1 an experienta intr-un domeniu irelevant, now what?
    The Apache Struts website (https://struts.apache.org/) offers tutorials and other resources for learning about the Apache Struts framework. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Most Popular Web Application Frameworks
    3) Struts 2 - Also a popular java based framework. Backed by the Apache Foundation and built to easily integrate with Spring. This is the easiest choice when converting from a Struts 1 framework to a more modern and secure framework. - Source: dev.to / almost 5 years ago

Alternatives to Play Framework and Apache Struts

When comparing Play Framework and Apache Struts, you can also consider the following products.

Loading...