The Best Java Frameworks for Full-Stack Development in 2026

A framework is a collection of predefined code that developers use to create applications. Given Java’s endurance as the programming language of choice for decades, it has many frameworks with pre-existing libraries, classes, and functions. Developers can build applications without having to write every code block from scratch.

If you are searching for the best Java framework in 2026, you likely face a common dilemma: the Java ecosystem is incredibly strong on the backend, but often fragmented when it comes to the "Full-Stack" picture.

For years, "Full-Stack Java" meant stitching together a Spring Boot backend with a React or Angular frontend forcing developers to master two completely different languages and ecosystems. But today, the best frameworks are those that collapse this complexity, allowing you to build end-to-end applications with the type-safety, speed, and stability of Java.

In this article we select the top contenders for the best Java framework this year, categorized by their greatest strengths.

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Introduction to Full-Stack Java Web App Development

Application development has two broad areas of functionality. The front end, or UI development, deals with client-side technologies. You build the buttons, text boxes, and image layouts that render on users’ phones or browsers when they use your app. The back end, or server-side development, deals with coding logic and database technologies that make the app function. You build the data processing logic so the app works as expected.

Can Java be used in the front end?

Front-end development was not considered Java’s forte for a long time. Traditionally, Java has been favored for server-side development due to its "write once, run anywhere” capability. The Java Virtual Machine (JVM), Java’s rich API for networking, I/O, data access, and other back-end tasks, and Java’s mature ecosystem made it the preferred choice for building large-scale enterprise application backends.

So, what happened with UI? Initially, Java applets (small Java applications that could run in a web browser) were designed to bring interactive features to web pages, but they required a Java plugin installed in the browser to run. Due to this limitation, JavaScript, specifically designed to run natively in browsers, became the front-end technology of choice and overshadowed Java for a while.

But not in 2026! The last few years have seen the rise of JavaScript front-end libraries like Angular or React, which can integrate well with a Java backend. You also get Java full-stack frameworks, so you can handle both front-end and back-end requirements within a single ecosystem.

Benefits of full-stack Java

Having a single language across the stack streamlines development and debugging processes.

• Business logic and validation routines can often be shared between server and client, reducing redundancy and errors.
• Developers can use the same tools, IDEs (like Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA), and build systems (like Maven or Gradle) across the project.
• Teams can collaborate more effectively when front-end and back-end developers use the same language and tools.

A development team that owns a feature from the back end to the front end can iterate faster without compromising quality. It also simplifies the training requirements for new developers. 

Top full-stack Java frameworks 

So, which framework is used for Java Web application development? The top choices among developers are given below.

1. Vaadin: The Best Java Framework for Full-Stack Productivity

Vaadin stands out as the only major open-source framework that allows you to build a modern, reactive web UI entirely in Java. It removes the need to write separate JavaScript, handle REST APIs, or manage complex frontend-backend state synchronization.

• How it works: With Vaadin Flow, your UI components live on the server (JVM). The framework automatically handles the communication with the browser. You write Java code, and Vaadin renders the HTML/CSS securely.

• Why it’s the "Best" for 2026:

  • Single Language Stack: You use Java for the database, business logic, and UI. This creates a massive productivity boost for teams who want to avoid the "context switch" of JavaScript.

  • AI & Modernization: The latest Vaadin 25 release integrates deeply with Spring Boot 3.x and Java 25 (LTS), featuring AI-assisted development tools and a modernized "Aura" design system that looks professional out of the box.

  • Secure by Design: Because the UI logic runs on the server, you don't expose your validation logic or internal APIs to the client-side browser.

• Best for: Enterprise ERPs, internal business tools, complex dashboards, and teams that want to ship faster by staying 100% in Java.

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2. Spring Boot: The Best Framework for the Enterprise Backend

The Spring Framework is a popular programming and configuration model for Java-based enterprise applications. Spring Boot is an extension that lets you create stand-alone, production-grade applications that just run. Spring Boot supports Thymeleaf and Mustache, template engines for building UIs directly in HTML. While suited for rapid enterprise-level development, it still requires developers to interact with JavaScript and HTML.

• The Full-Stack Reality: Spring Boot excels at creating robust backends, but it requires a partner for the UI. You must either pair it with a template engine (like Thymeleaf) for server-side rendering or build a separate frontend (React/Angular) that talks to Spring via REST.

• Why it’s a Top Choice:

  • Ecosystem: If you need a library for anything (security, batch processing, cloud connectors), Spring has it.

  • Hiring: It is the most popular Java framework, meaning finding talent is easier than for any other stack.

• Best for: Microservices, public-facing consumer applications, and teams that require granular control over their architecture. Note: Vaadin is built on top of Spring Boot, combining Spring's power with Vaadin's UI simplicity.

3. Quarkus: The Best Java Framework for Cloud-Native Performance

Quarkus has redefined what Java can do in the cloud. Known as "Supersonic Subatomic Java," it is designed specifically for containerized environments like Kubernetes and Serverless functions.

• Why it’s Unique: Quarkus offers incredibly fast startup times (milliseconds) and very low memory usage, thanks to its build-time optimization and first-class support for GraalVM Native Images.

• Developer Experience: It features "Live Coding" out of the box—you can save a Java file and see the changes instantly without restarting the server, bringing a "scripting language" feel to Java.

• Best for: High-performance microservices, serverless functions, and cloud infrastructure where reducing memory footprint translates directly to cost savings.

4. Grails: The Best for Groovy & Rapid Development

Grails is a high-productivity framework built on top of Spring Boot that uses the Groovy language. It follows the "Convention over Configuration" philosophy popularized by Ruby on Rails.

• 2026 Status: Now under the Apache Software Foundation (since late 2025), Grails 7 has seen a resurgence in stability. It remains one of the fastest ways to build CRUD applications because of its dynamic scripting capabilities and powerful GORM data access layer.

• Why choose it: If your team is comfortable with Groovy, Grails offers a development speed that pure Java frameworks often struggle to match.

• Best for: Rapid prototyping, smaller teams, and applications where development speed is the #1 priority.

5. JHipster: The Best Full-Stack Generator

JHipster is not a "framework" in the traditional sense, JHipster is an indispensable tool for full-stack Java development. It is a development platform that generates a complete, production-ready application stack for you.

• How it works: You run a command, answer a few questions (SQL or NoSQL? React or Angular? Monolith or Microservice?), and JHipster scaffolds a complete Spring Boot backend connected to a modern JavaScript frontend.

• Why it’s on this list: It is the fastest way to get a "standard" industry stack up and running. It handles the boring configuration of Docker, CI/CD, and security automatically.

• Best for: Teams that want a standard "Spring Boot + React/Angular" stack but want to skip the first 2 weeks of boilerplate setup.

6. JavaServer Faces

JavaServer Faces (JSF), now known as Jakarta Faces, is the original component-based UI framework for Java EE (now Jakarta EE).

• Why it’s still relevant: Despite being an older technology, JSF is incredibly stable and widely used in government, banking, and large-scale enterprise legacy systems. It is part of the Jakarta EE specification, meaning it is supported by major application servers like WildFly and Payara.

• Modern usage: Libraries like PrimeFaces continue to keep JSF relevant by providing rich, modern UI components that are easy to drop into existing applications.

• Best for: Maintaining and expanding legacy enterprise systems, or environments where Jakarta EE standards are a strict requirement.

Summary: Which Framework is Right for You?

Choosing the best Java framework depends on where you want to spend your engineering effort:

The bottom line: If you want to build a modern web application without leaving the Java language, Vaadin offers the most cohesive full-stack experience. If you are building distributed microservices where the UI is secondary, Spring Boot or Quarkus are your best bets.

The Vaadin framework for full-stack Java

Vaadin provides a comprehensive full-stack solution for building modern business web applications in Java. It features an open-source framework for Java web app development and built-in UI components that seamlessly communicate with a Spring Boot backend.

Vaadin is the only full-stack Java web framework that lets you build modern web apps without dealing with low-level web development concepts like requests and responses. Instead, you compose the UI from components, extend them, and create compositions directly in Java. To add interactivity, you define user interactions that trigger events, and event listeners handle these events.

Once the UI is ready, you can connect it directly to a data source. Vaadin provides tools for lazy-loading millions of database rows and quickly building large, complex forms. You can connect to any database directly from your Java server.

Your interface runs entirely on the JVM—no need to expose REST services or create wrappers to move data to the browser. Vaadin apps work seamlessly on all modern browsers without plugins—right from the start.

Benefits of full-stack Java with Vaadin

Vaadin’s unique approach allows Java developers to focus on building functionality rather than dealing with browser compatibility issues and frontend languages. You get the following benefits.

• Reduce the complexity and learning curve associated with web application development. 
• Reuse business logic and validation code to reduce redundancy.
• Maintain a cohesive user experience and brand identity across all application parts. 
• Optimize communication between the client and server to minimize the data exchange necessary for UI updates.

Final thoughts

Full-stack Java web app development allows your development team to achieve more in less time and with less effort. Instead of figuring out how to exchange data between back-end and front-end components, they can focus their energies on designing more useful apps and features. Full-stack Java web frameworks make the process even simpler. Start with the UI and work backward, integrating your data sources in just a few lines of code.

Getting started with full-stack Java using Vaadin

Ready to see the difference? Explore Java and Vaadin for your next business application project. You can start by following the  Vaadin Quick Start tutorial or create a new project from scratch at start.vaadin.com. You can also access all video training courses and certification exams to upskill your team.