The Best Java AlternativesTop Programming Languages and other similar apps like Java

Java is described as 'General-purpose computer programming language that is concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, and specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible' and is a leading programming language in the development category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Java for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, BSD and Web-based apps. The best Java alternative is Python, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Java are JavaScript, C++, C# and Rust.

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Alternatives list

  1. Python icon

    Python

     1407 likes
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    Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, extensible programming language. It provides an extraordinary combination of clarity and versatility, and is free and comprehensively ported.

    94 Python alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Symbian S60
    • BSD
    • AROS
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • OpenSolaris
    • MorphOS
    Python screenshot 1
     
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    58
    Comments about Python as an Alternative to Java
    Top Positive Comment
    VenHayz
    2

    Can almost do everything Java can and sometimes a little better.

    Top Negative Comment
    Nader Jafari
    0

    Object orientation is just broken in Python with Java standards. Also (Meme-ing a bit here) the idea behind Java... the reason behind Java... the force behind Java...

    is the JVM... (no longer meme-ing) which led and leads to this day to insane portability, reliability and compatibility, backwards and forwards, offered by no other ecosystem in existence. There already is this great rift between Python 2 and 3 and within minor versions of 3 itself.

    The Linux Maniac
    Positive
    -3

    Python Runs In High Performance, And It's More Understandable Than Java, Also Java Is Very Old.

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    3 of 7 comments
    Java Icon
    Python icon

    • Most users think Python is a great Java alternative.

    • Python is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Java.

    • Python is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Java.

    • Python is Free and Open SourceJava is Free Personal and Open Source
    • Python is LightweightJava is not according to our users
  2. JavaScript icon

    JavaScript

     629 likes
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    JavaScript (sometimes shortened to JS) is a lightweight, interpreted, object-oriented language with first-class functions, most known as the scripting language for Web pages, but also used in many non-browser environments.

    60 JavaScript alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • AROS
    • Haiku
    JavaScript screenshot 1
     
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    31
    Comments about JavaScript as an Alternative to Java
    Nader Jafari
    Negative
    0

    Totally different things and no matter how hard Node.js tries. It's NOT the equivalent of Java or .net

    Java Icon
    JavaScript icon

    • Most users think JavaScript is a great Java alternative.

    • JavaScript is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone & iPad alternative to Java.

    • JavaScript is Free and Open SourceJava is Free Personal and Open Source
    • JavaScript is LightweightJava is not according to our users
  4. C++ icon

    C++

     325 likes
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    C++ is a statically typed, free-form, multi-paradigm, compiled, general-purpose, powerful programming language. It is regarded as an intermediate-level language, as it comprises a combination of both high-level and low-level language features.

    69 C++ alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    C++ screenshot 1
     
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    35
    Comments about C++ as an Alternative to Java
    thomaszoschke
    Positive
    3

    Flexibility: Can programm pretty much everything that can be coded at all. Fast execution times.

    Borat Baka
    Positive
    0

    C++ is much more low-level and close to C than Java, which can be used more easily to create applications faster. However Java is a bit slower than C++

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    It's general purpose, native, and powerful.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    Java Icon
    C++ icon

    • Almost everyone thinks C++ is a great Java alternative.

    • C++ is Free and Open SourceJava is Free Personal and Open Source
  5. C# icon

    C#

     230 likes
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    C# is a multi-paradigm programming language encompassing strong typing, imperative, declarative, functional, generic, object-oriented (class-based), and component-oriented programming disciplines.

    79 C# alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    C# screenshot 1
     
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    37
    Comments about C# as an Alternative to Java
    Nader Jafari
    Positive
    1

    Basically Microsoft Java. Same idea, different execution and culture

    Guest
    Positive
    5

    C# and Java are almost identical. Besides the fact they're being lead by different companies, they have almost the entirely same performance profile and same syntax.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Java Icon
    C# icon

    • Almost everyone thinks C# is a great Java alternative.

    • C# is Free and Open SourceJava is Free Personal and Open Source
  6. Rust icon

    Rust

     149 likes
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    Rust is a multi-paradigm, general-purpose programming language that emphasizes performance, type safety, and concurrency. It enforces memory safety—meaning that all references point to valid memory—without a garbage collector.

    47 Rust alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Rust screenshot 1
     
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    17
    Comments about Rust as an Alternative to Java
    Borat Baka
    Positive
    0

    Rust is not only much more performant in comparison to Java, but it also has some features other languages like C++ don't, such as memory management through the use of borrow checking and really good pattern matching. All of that coupled with a great package manager and Rust is considered by many to be the low-level language of the future.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Java Icon
    Rust icon

    • Most users think Rust is a great Java alternative.

    • Rust is Free and Open SourceJava is Free Personal and Open Source
  7. C (programming language) icon

    C (programming language)

     328 likes
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    C is a general-purpose programming language. It was created in the 1970s by Dennis Ritchie and remains very widely used and influential. By design, C's features cleanly reflect the capabilities of the targeted CPUs.

    61 C (programming language) alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    C (programming language) screenshot 1
     
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    15
    Comments about C (programming language) as an Alternative to Java
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    It's very low-level, compared to Java. It's not entirely general purpose like Java.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    nineninesevenfour
    Positive
    0

    C cannot directly be seen as an alternative to Java, because Java focusses on business applications, while C focusses on systems programming. You will not be as productive in C as you can be in Java or its derivate languages. For low-level programming IMHO C is the first choice though. Before complaining that C is outdated remember that even the heart of Java is written in C/C++. Also remember that the software that makes your computer usable in the first place is most likely also written in C.

    The Linux Maniac
    Negative
    -4

    C Is A Very Outdated Language, Good Luck Finding Job With Knowledge Of C

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    3 of 4 comments
    Java Icon
    C (programming language) icon

    • Some users think C (programming language) is a great Java alternative, some don't.

    • C (programming language) is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Java.

    • C (programming language) is Free and Open SourceJava is Free Personal and Open Source
  9. PHP icon

    PHP

     469 likes
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    Open-source scripting language executed on the server, PHP embeds into HTML, fostering dynamic web development. Influenced by C, Java, and Perl, it supports database integration, offers extensive libraries, and remains easy for beginners while robust for seasoned developers.

    43 PHP alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PHP
    PHP screenshot 1
     
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  10. Go (Programming Language) icon

    Go (Programming Language)

     152 likes
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    Open-source programming language by Google, offering C-style syntax and automatic memory management. Features built-in concurrency and vast libraries, ideal for cloud services, web, and CLI development, supporting DevOps with fast builds and an expansive ecosystem.

    68 Go (Programming Language) alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Go (Programming Language)
    Go (Programming Language) screenshot 1
     
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    11
    Comments about Go (Programming Language) as an Alternative to Java
    RemovedUser
    0

    More like an alternative to C than Java

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Java Icon
    Go (Programming Language) icon

    • Most users think Go (Programming Language) is a great Java alternative.

    • Go (Programming Language) is Free and Open SourceJava is Free Personal and Open Source
    • Go (Programming Language) is LightweightJava is not according to our users
  11. Ruby icon

    Ruby

     270 likes
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    Ruby is a dynamic, reflective, general purpose object-oriented programming language that combines syntax inspired by Perl with Smalltalk-like features. Ruby originated in Japan during the mid-1990s and was initially developed and designed by Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto.

    79 Ruby alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    Ruby screenshot 1
     
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  12. Kotlin icon

    Kotlin

     39 likes
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    Kotlin is a cross-platform, statically typed, general-purpose programming language with type inference. Kotlin is designed to interoperate fully with Java, and the JVM version of its standard library depends on the Java Class Library, but type inference allows its syntax to be...

    51 Kotlin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Kotlin screenshot 1
     
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    11
    Comments about Kotlin as an Alternative to Java
    RemovedUser
    Positive
    1

    It's basically the successor to Java.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    mr person
    Positive
    0

    it was purpose designed to fix the problems with java

    ktfg4hoo
    Positive
    0
    • Prevent NullPointerExceptions by design
    • Simple & short syntax
    • Compile to multiple target platforms: JVM: Java+Android, Browser: JavaScript+WebAssembly, Native: iOS
    Java Icon
    Kotlin icon

    • Most users think Kotlin is a great Java alternative.

    • Kotlin is Free and Open SourceJava is Free Personal and Open Source
  13. OpenJDK icon

    OpenJDK

     59 likes
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    The place to collaborate on an open-source implementation of the Java Platform, Standard Edition, and related projects.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Java
    OpenJDK screenshot 1
     
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    2
    13
    Comments about OpenJDK as an Alternative to Java
    loziniak
    Positive
    2

    It's the same. And it's free.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Because its same shit different license

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Java Icon
    OpenJDK icon

    • Most users think OpenJDK is a great Java alternative.

    • OpenJDK is Free and Open SourceJava is Free Personal and Open Source
  14. Julia icon

    Julia

     67 likes
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    Julia is a high-level, high-performance dynamic programming language for technical computing, with syntax that is familiar to users of other technical computing environments. It provides a sophisticated compiler, distributed parallel execution, numerical accuracy, and an...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Julia screenshot 1
     
12 of 73 Java alternatives