How To Use Java For Web Development in 2026?

Built in the mid-1990s, Java in web development has left an indelible mark on the modern digital world for years now. Due to Java’s neutrality, security, and growth potential, it has become the best enterprise application development language.

Java holds an 8.54% market share on the TIOBE index. Another report by Statista states that Java holds 29.4% of the global programming language market. It can run on various operating systems, which explains its web app development adoption worldwide.

In this blog, we will focus on the best strategy to use Java with its tools and frameworks for secure and high-performing web application development.

How does Java help in Web App Development?

At its inception, Java could deliver cross-platform solutions and handle complex commands. It’s Java virtual machine (JVM) can turn bytecode files into machine-specific code files. This meant that Java applications can run smoothly on any system that supports the JVM.

As a result, it became the go-to language to develop apps that were built to run on different platforms. Let us look at the different reasons why Java is helpful in web app development.

All of the above benefits make Java the preferred programming language for different developers and businesses worldwide. It might not be the most popular framework, but it certainly is one of the best.

Tools and Frameworks used in Java for Web Development

Businesses find convenient solutions in Java due to the different frameworks and built-in tools it provides. Let us look at a few of them.

1. Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)

JDBC is the core Java API that helps applications to interact with each other and execute SQL commands. It helps in storing and receiving data easily.

Users can use the JDBC API in a servlet, JSP technology page, or an enterprise bean where they need to access the page. The primary role of the JDBC API is to provide the interface between the Java app and the database.

2. Hibernate

This tool is a strong, open-source Object Relational Mapping (ORM) framework for Java. It simplifies database interactions by letting developers map Java objects to database tables. This removes the need for long SQL code.

It creates tables automatically based on Java classes. It can also improve app performance by reducing database access with caching processes. Furthermore, it also defers loading related data until needed, improving its performance.

3. JavaServer Pages (JSP)

JSP allows users to build a web application with dynamic web content. JSP helps build web pages generated on the server side, creating dynamic and interactive web applications.

With JSP, you can collect the input from users through the forms on a webpage. The database system records are then displayed in the form of a ‘view’.

To collect the information from the database, the available JSP tags are used for multiple functionalities, like moving from one page to another.

4. Apache Tomcat

This is a Java-based open-source independent web server and servlet container. It uses server, JSP, and JSF specifics to build dynamic websites. This helps to run web apps smoothly on the server.

5. Spring Boot

Spring Boot is a widely popular Java framework to simplify the web app development process. It offers a detailed blueprint to build enterprise apps. It includes features like dependency injection, security, and web services.

Dependency injection ensures quicker and simpler testing and maintenance. Spring Boot also helps in setting up Spring apps with minimal configuration. It also implements authentication and authorization for secure applications.

6. Servlets

This API helps the user to build servlets that run on a web server. They handle requests from clients, process them, and deliver responses. With a request-response programming model, this API extends the capabilities of web servers that host applications.

A servlet runs on the server side without an application GUI or HTML user interface (UI) of its own. Extensions of Java Servlets help build many dynamic web applications.

7. JavaServer Faces (JSF)

JavaServer Faces is a UI framework that can build web applications. The main components of this framework involve a GUI component framework, an adaptable model to render components, and a RenderKit to create HTML markup.

Java APIs and XML-based configuration files make this feature possible. Even Sun Java Studio Creator IDE uses JSF in its drag-and-drop GUI tools. This helps in using technology without writing or understanding the code.

8. Java Persistence API (JPA)

Java Persistence API is an API specification that manages relational data with object-relational mapping (ORM) with less repetitive code. This tool defines a threshold for persistence management in Java environments.

Due to JPA, data handling becomes easier as developers work with Java objects instead of writing difficult SQL queries. It also automates common database tasks like saving, updating, and delivering data with less repetition.

9. Struts

Apache Struts is one of the oldest and most dependable Java frameworks for web development. It follows the MVC architecture and allows developers to build secure enterprise applications.

The MVC architecture also aids in structured development due to its design pattern. It can also build dynamic web pages with tag libraries. It also has strong community support.

10. Gradle

Gradle is a dynamic and modern build automation tool for projects built with Java and other languages. It was designed to expand multi-project builds with a Kotlin or Groovy-based domain-specific language for configuration.

Gradle can easily manage multiple complex tasks with modules or components common in large web development companies. It also makes sure that each build is consistent across different environments.

Read More- Popular Java Frameworks for Web Development in 2025

How to Develop a Web Application Using Java?

Given how easy it is to implement Java code across different platforms, it is still complex for a beginner to understand how. Let us look at the steps below that signify how developers build web applications using Java:

1. Collect requirements and plan

Firstly, make sure to define the purpose of the project to align with its target audience and scope. After this, mention the required core capability from the app.

Make sure to select a suitable tech stack with the tools and frameworks you will need in the later stages. Parallely, make sure to analyze the skills and experience of the development team.

2. Environment setup

The basic tools that every Java developer requires are the latest version of the Java Development Kit. They also need a development environment like Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA.

Some other tools to be included in the environment are database management systems like MySQL or PostgreSQL. Make sure to configure them and set up the Tomcat server to host your application. Git is suitable for repository management and version control.

3. Backend and architecture development

Create applications based on design patterns like MVC or Microservices. Once this is done, plan around the database schema, workflow, and UI design.

Java is used to write backend code to manage business logic and process data. Different frameworks like Spring and Hibernate are used for communicating between databases.

4. Integrate and build the front-end

The backend-based nature of Java helps in server-side rendering with tools like JSP and Thymeleaf. More modern front-ends include frameworks like Angular, VueJS, or React.

The UI design uses JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to then integrate APIs set up to handle both front and backend.

5. Test and deploy

Finally, the software must be tested for any performance lags or other issues. Unit, functional, integration, usability, and performance testing are a few tests to try on your final product.

While project deployment, make sure to use tools that help you create a deployable artifact. With a local or cloud-based server, host on different platforms.

Hire Effective Java Web Development Services for Your Business

There are a lot of technicalities involved in building a suitable web application for your company. It is important to pick the right tools and web frameworks so your Java team can use them simply and effectively.

At DRC Systems, we make sure that your dream web application is highly functional across different platforms. Java in web development is a great choice to consider, and we have the perfect Java developers to get your project going. We provide a complete SDLC for your project application so you don’t have to rely on anyone else.

FAQs

1. How to pick the right web framework for your web application?

To pick the right framework for your web app development, make sure to consider the complexity of the project, growth potential, security documents, community support, etc. Also consider how well these elements integrate with your language of choice.

2. Do cloud-based applications use web frameworks?

Yes, NodeJS, Spring Boot, and Flask allow adaptable and smooth cloud integration in web applications and are cloud-based frameworks.

3. What type of web applications benefit the most from frameworks?

Golang web application frameworks benefit the most from apps like e-Commerce, SaaS applications, CMS, and enterprise applications.

4. Which is better for web development: Java or HTML?

HTML focuses on the structure and presentation of content. Java allows developers to build interactive web applications by adding additional features and functionalities to the user experience.