Discover the Best Apache Struts Alternatives for Modern Web Development
Apache Struts is a widely-used open-source web application framework, built for developing Java EE web applications. It's known for its adherence to the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, extending the Java Servlet API. While it has been a cornerstone for many Java developers, the landscape of web development is constantly evolving. Developers often seek an Apache Struts alternative to leverage newer technologies, improve performance, enhance security, or simply find a framework better suited to their specific project requirements. This article explores some of the top alternatives available today.
Top Apache Struts Alternatives
Whether you're looking for frameworks in Java, Python, Ruby, or other languages, there are numerous powerful alternatives to Apache Struts that offer modern features, improved productivity, and robust capabilities for building scalable web applications. Here are some of the best:
Django
Django is a high-level Python Web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. As a free and open-source platform available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD, it's a compelling Apache Struts alternative for those preferring Python. It boasts features like powerful developer tools and a strong focus on security, making it ideal for robust web development.
Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails is an open-source, full-stack web application framework for the Ruby programming language. Available for free on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's a great Apache Struts alternative if you're looking for a framework that provides everything needed to create database-backed web applications, emphasizing convention over configuration and featuring object-oriented language capabilities for web development.
Spring
The Spring Framework is an open-source application framework and Inversion of Control container for the Java platform. It's an excellent and widely adopted Apache Struts alternative for Java developers, offering comprehensive infrastructure support for developing robust Java applications on Mac, Windows, and Linux, complete with developer tools and strong web development capabilities.
CUBA Platform
CUBA Platform provides a powerful full-stack architecture along with Rapid Application Development (RAD) tools for fast development of modern business web applications. It's a free and open-source Apache Struts alternative, particularly appealing for Java developers using Mac, Windows, or Linux, thanks to its built-in auditing, Java IDE, and IDE integration features for efficient web development.
GWT (Google Web Toolkit)
GWT (Google Web Toolkit) is a development toolkit for building and optimizing complex browser-based applications. While primarily a toolkit rather than a full framework, it's a noteworthy Apache Struts alternative for those focusing on Java-based client-side web development. It's free and web-based, offering developer tools and leveraging Java for robust web application creation.
Play!
Play is a web application framework, written in Scala and Java, which follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern. As a free and open-source platform available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, Play! is a compelling Apache Struts alternative for developers seeking a modern, high-performance framework that supports both Java and Scala, emphasizing rapid application development (RAD) for web projects.
Grails
Grails is a high-productivity web framework based on the Groovy language, designed specifically for the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). As a free and open-source platform for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's an excellent Apache Struts alternative that embraces the coding by convention paradigm, offering robust capabilities for web development within the Java ecosystem.
Vaadin Framework
Vaadin is an open-source web framework that empowers Java developers to build rich user experiences with minimal effort. Available as freemium and open-source for Mac, Windows, and Linux, Vaadin Framework offers a distinct Apache Struts alternative by allowing developers to build web applications entirely in Java, focusing on component-based development for impressive user interfaces.
Dropwizard
Dropwizard is a Java framework for developing ops-friendly, high-performance, RESTful web services. As a free and open-source platform for Mac, Windows, and Linux, Dropwizard is a strong Apache Struts alternative for those prioritizing microservices and high-performance REST APIs. It provides a simple, opinionated stack for creating standalone, production-ready web services.
Willer Framework
Willer is a PHP framework, highlighting features of ORM, MVC, and Bundle. It's a free and open-source platform available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. While not Java-based, Willer Framework serves as an interesting Apache Struts alternative for developers working in PHP, offering developer tools, Object-Relational Mapping (ORM), and robust web development capabilities.
The choice of an Apache Struts alternative depends heavily on your project's specific needs, your team's expertise, and the desired technology stack. Each of these frameworks offers unique advantages, from language preference to specific features like RAD, security, or performance. We encourage you to explore these options further to find the best fit for your next web development project.