Best JVM Languages (2025)
Ranked picks for jvm languages. No "it depends."
🧊Nice Pick
Java
The enterprise's reliable old workhorse. It's verbose, but it gets the job done with fewer surprises.
Full Rankings
#1
Details →Java
Nice PickThe enterprise's reliable old workhorse. It's verbose, but it gets the job done with fewer surprises.
Pros
- +Strong typing and compile-time checks catch errors early
- +Mature ecosystem with extensive libraries and frameworks
- +Excellent performance and scalability for large applications
- +Platform independence via the JVM
Cons
- -Verbose syntax can lead to boilerplate code
- -Memory consumption can be high compared to newer languages
- -Slower startup times due to JVM overhead
Java's smarter cousin. All the JVM power, none of the boilerplate headaches.
Pros
- +Null safety built-in to prevent crashes
- +Concise syntax reduces boilerplate code
- +Seamless interoperability with Java
- +Coroutines for easy asynchronous programming
Cons
- -Compilation can be slower than Java in some cases
- -Learning curve for functional programming features
Compare:vs Java
Java's sophisticated cousin who went to art school, but still lives in the JVM.
Pros
- +Functional and object-oriented fusion that actually works
- +Type system that catches bugs before they happen
- +Seamless Java interoperability
- +Akka for building resilient distributed systems
Cons
- -Compilation times that make you question your life choices
- -Tooling that sometimes feels like it's fighting you
- -Can turn into a 'write-only' language in the wrong hands
Head-to-head comparisons
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