Java Alternatives: The Most Popular Java Competitors of 2024

Java has been a popular programming language since 1995. Portable and powerful, Java is embedded in online and on-premise systems throughout the globe. Java powers IoT devices, SaaS solutions, and mobile applications. But it isn't the only language out there.

There are many reasons why you might want to look for a Java alternative. Java is an old-fashioned language; it's difficult to use and obscure compared to modern languages. Today, there are powerful languages that come with extensive quality-of-life features.

Let's take a look at some of the top Java alternatives.

Why Would You Want to Use a Java Competitor?

As portable and functional as Java is, it still has some drawbacks. Maybe you hit a wall and decided to look for a Java replacement. Or, you might want to learn about languages similar to Java with more longevity.

Here are some of the most common reasons to seek alternatives to Java:

• Ease of use. Java is a functional language, but it doesn't have the quality-of-life features modern languages offer, like built-in support for garbage collection. If you don't want to manage your memory allocation manually, Java isn't the language for you.
• Performance. Java is an interesting language because it's only partly compiled. It's still partially interpreted, running slower than most compiled languages. If you need high-performance, you need a Java alternative.
• Flexibility. Some find Java stodgy or difficult to use because it's not highly readable or maintainable. If you want to deploy code quickly in a team, Java could hold you back.
• Futureproofing. Many systems were constructed in Java in the past, but that’s less common today. There are so many Java competitors and languages similar to Java that the market is filled with other solutions. 

When using a Java alternative, you must consider the fact that most Java replacements don't have the raw popularity of Java. That means less active communities, less frequent updates, and potentially a smaller library to work with. Still, a Java alternative may cut your development time considerably if it's easier to use.

What Are the Most Popular Alternatives to Java?

What does it mean to be an alternative to Java? The language should be object-oriented, extensible, general-purpose, and robust. It should be able to do everything Java can do, including being extremely portable. Java is a popular language because it can be deployed just about anywhere.

With that in mind, here are some of the most popular languages similar to Java:

1. Kotlin
2. TypeScript
3. Python
4. JavaScript
5. Swift
6. Dart
7. C++
8. Rust
9. Elixir
10. Go

Not all of these languages can do everything that Java can do. But if you’re looking for a replacement for a specific project, you’ll find one on this list. 

Java is an older language. There are many alternatives, but most of them are tilted toward one application or another — whether it’s mobile apps, web design, or systems.

At-a-Glance Java Alternatives Comparison

Java vs. Kotlin

Kotlin is a statically typed language used for server-side, client-side, and Android development. Kotlin is 100% interoperable with Java, meaning that any Java code can run in a Kotlin project without modification.

Kotlin was designed to improve on the shortcomings of Java. It's more concise, readable, and expressive. Kotlin also has features that Java lacks, such as null-safety, extension functions, and data classes.

Kotlin is gaining popularity quickly. Recently, Google announced that Kotlin would be the preferred language for Android development. Many developers choose to learn Kotlin in addition to Java so that they can prepare for the future.

Advantages of Kotlin over Java

• Kotlin is more concise, readable, and expressive than Java.
• Kotlin has features that Java lacks, such as null-safety, extension functions, and data classes.
• Kotlin is 100% interoperable with Java, meaning that any Java code can run in a Kotlin project without modification.

Disadvantages of Kotlin over Java

• Kotlin is a less popular language than Java, so there is a smaller community and fewer resources available.

“Hello, World!” in Kotlin

fun main(args : Array<String>) {
    println("Hello, World!")
}

Java vs. TypeScript

TypeScript is a language that builds on JavaScript rather than Java. But it’s relevant today because JavaScript is a popular replacement for Java when web applications and SaaS solutions (increasingly prevalent) are involved. TypeScript adds static type checking to JavaScript, making it easier to catch errors early in the development process. TypeScript is also more readable and maintainable than vanilla JavaScript.

TypeScript is popular for web development, especially with the Angular framework. It's also used for developing Node.js applications. For web applications, JavaScript and TypeScript are generally preferred over Java.

Advantages of TypeScript over Java

• When JavaScript is more applicable than Java, you can use Typescript as an alternative. 

Disadvantages of TypeScript over Java

• TypeScript, like JavaScript, is predominantly a web development language. 
• TypeScript isn’t as popular as JavaScript or Java.

“Hello, World!” in TypeScript

let message: string = 'Hello, World!';
console.log(message);

Java vs. Python

Python is a widely used programming language known for its ease of use. It's frequently used in scientific computing, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and educational settings. These days, it’s the first language many learn, making it extraordinarily popular and marketable.

Python is a fantastic language for beginners. It's also popular for scripting and automation. Python is used in many large projects, such as Django, Reddit, and Instagram.

Advantages of Python over Java

• Python is easy to learn for beginners.
• Python has many modules and libraries that make development faster and easier.

Disadvantages of Python over Java

• Python offers a lot more freedom than Java does, making it easier to make mistakes.

“Hello, World!” in Python

print("Hello, World!")

Java vs. JavaScript

To be clear, JavaScript does not have many similarities to Java; it’s not a web-enabled version of Java. However, JavaScript is the language of the web. It's used for front-end development, back-end development, and more. JavaScript is known for being easy to get started with, but it also has a ton of features for advanced users.

JavaScript is used on nearly every web page on the internet. It's also used to build popular frameworks and libraries, such as React and Angular. Few languages are as ubiquitous as JavaScript. 

Advantages of JavaScript over Java

• JavaScript is more popular than Java, making many code snippets and frameworks available.
• JavaScript is easier to get started with than Java, especially for web development.
• JavaScript has a ton of features for advanced users.

Disadvantages of JavaScript over Java

• Java is faster and more lightweight than JavaScript.
• Java is a more popular language for back-end development.

“Hello, World!” in JavaScript

console.log('Hello World');

Java vs. Swift

Swift is a language created by Apple, used for developing iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS applications. Swift is a modern language with a clean syntax. It's easy to read and write, and it's safe by design.

Swift is gaining popularity for server-side development as well. The Kitura web framework makes it easy to build Web APIs and web applications in Swift.

Advantages of Swift over Java

• Swift is a newer language, so it has a cleaner syntax.
• Swift is easy to read and write.
• Swift is safe by design.

Disadvantages of Swift over Java

• Swift is primarily used within the Apple ecosystem.
• It’s less popular than Java, with a smaller community and less documentation.

“Hello, World!” in Swift

print("Hello, World!")

Java vs. Dart

Dart is a language created by Google, used for client-side and server-side development. Dart is used by the Flutter mobile app framework to build cross-platform applications.

Dart is a great language for building web applications. It has all of the features that JavaScript has, plus additional features such as ahead-of-time compilation and type inference.

Advantages of Dart over Java

• Dart has ahead-of-time compilation, making it faster to execute.
• Dart is a great language for web applications specifically.
• Google provides significant support for Dart.

Disadvantages of Dart over Java

• Dart is a relatively obscure language without many resources.

“Hello, World!” in Dart

void main() {
  print('Hello, World!');
}

Java vs. C++

C++ is a powerful but old language used for low-level systems programming or high-level application development. It’s known for being fast, efficient, and portable.

C++ is used in many large projects, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Photoshop. Often, programmers will either adhere to Java or C++. Keep in mind that each C class languages (C, C++, and C#) are different.

Advantages of C++ over Java

• C++ is faster and more efficient than Java.
• C++ is even more portable than Java.
• C++ is a “classic” and well-known general-purpose language.

Disadvantages of C++ over Java:

• C++ is more difficult to learn than Java. It has more high-level demands on programmers.

“Hello, World!” in C++

#include <iostream>

int main() {
    std::cout << "Hello, World!";
    return 0;
}

Java vs. Rust

Mozilla created the Rust programming language. It's used for developing low-level systems like operating systems, game engines, and web browsers. Rust is gaining popularity for its safety features. It's also becoming more widely used for web development, thanks to the new Actix web framework.

Advantages of Rust over Java

• Rust is an excellent solution for those who want to make easy, lightweight apps.
• Rust is known for being a safe, fast language.

Disadvantages of Rust over Java

• Rust has a fairly narrow band of applications and a very small community compared to Java. 

“Hello, World!” in Rust

$ ./hello
Hello World!

Java vs. Elixir

Elixir is a language created by the team behind the popular Rails web framework. It's used for building scalable and fault-tolerant applications. Elixir is known for being concurrent, efficient, and easy to learn.

Thanks to its rapid framework, Elixir is becoming more popular for web development. It's also used for developing embedded systems and creating chatbots.

Advantages of Elixir over Java

• Elixir is a newer language, so it has a cleaner syntax.
• Elixir is more efficient than Java.

Disadvantages of Elixir over Java:

• Primarily, the language remains fairly niche and uncommon.

“Hello, World!” in Elixir

iex(2)> "hello" <> " world"
"hello world"

Java vs. Go

Go is a language created by Google. It’s sometimes referred to as Golang. It's used for building efficient and scalable software. Go is known for its speed, simplicity, and safety.

Go is becoming more popular for web development, thanks to its excellent standard library and frameworks such as Echo and Gin.

Advantages of Go over Java

• Go is faster and more efficient than Java.
• Go is simpler and easier to learn than Java.
• Go has advanced security features.

Disadvantages of Go over Java

• As with others on this list, Go is often used primarily for web dev or mobile apps.

“Hello, World!” in Go

package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
    fmt.Println("hello world")
}

When Shouldn't You Use a Java Alternative?

If you're already familiar with Java and comfortable with its syntax, there's no reason to switch to a different language. If you're happy with the Java ecosystem, there's no need to look for alternatives.

Java is an old language, but it will remain relevant for some time. Java can do pretty much anything a new language can do — but some things are more difficult to do in Java than in other languages.

Moreover, so many systems have been built in Java that require Java developers to manage. Meaning? Java developers will maintain marketability in the job market for many years. And because Java is inherently more difficult to learn than many modern languages, the skills will remain sought after.

Don’t change languages because you think Java is “on the way out.” There’s a reason why COBOL programmers still command high salaries.

Conclusion: Which Language Should You Learn?

The language you should learn depends on your goals as a programmer.

• You want a more accessible, general-purpose language: Consider learning C++ or Python.
• You want Java to be easier to use: Consider learning Kotlin, a language that is interoperable with Java.
• You want to build feature-complete websites and web apps: Consider learning JavaScript, Typescript, Swift, Elixir, or Go.
• You want to develop mobile applications: Consider learning Python or Go.

Every programmer and every project has an ideal language. For a long time, Java was the best all-around language for many applications — but there are now powerful Java alternatives that provide easier development and deployment.

FAQ

What Can I Use Instead of Java?

Many languages can ultimately provide the same results as Java. Some popular options include Kotlin, Python, C++, and Go. Which language is best depends on the type of project you're pursuing.

Is Java Still Necessary?

No. You can use one of many Java replacements or languages similar to Java to perform the same functions as Java. While Java is popular, programmers today may want to learn a language with more longevity. Python, for instance, is growing in popularity much faster than Java.

Is Kotlin Better Than Java?

A popular alternative to Java, Kotlin is a great language for those who are already experts in Java. Kotlin is known for being concise, safe, and easy to learn.

Is Java a Dying Language?

No. While Java is not as popular as it once was, it's still a widely used language with a large community of developers. Java will likely remain relevant for many years to come, especially with the many legacy systems that will need to be supported.