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 C#, JavaScript, C++ and Rust.

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Java is a general-purpose computer programming language that is concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, and specifically...

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Java alternatives page was last updated Feb 15, 2025
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  1. Python icon

    Python

     1375 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.

    92 Python alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Symbian S60
    • BSD
    • AROS
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • OpenSolaris
    • MorphOS
    Python screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  High Level
    2.  Object-oriented Language
    3.  Dynamic typing
    4.  Modular System
    5.  Garbage Collection
    6.  Support for scripting
    7.  Interpreted language
    8.  Portable
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Rad

    Python VS Java

     
    Comments about Python as an Alternative to Java
    Top Positive Comment
    VenHayz
    Apr 12, 2017
    2

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

    Top Negative Comment
    Nader Jafari
    Jul 5, 2022
    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.

    Most Recent Comment
    The Linux Maniac
    Positive Feb 16, 2021
    -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. C# icon

    C#

     229 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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    C# screenshot 1

    C# Features

    1.  Compiled Language
    2.  Object-oriented Language

    C# VS Java

     
    Comments about C# as an Alternative to Java
    Nader Jafari
    Positive Jul 5, 2022
    1

    Basically Microsoft Java. Same idea, different execution and culture

    Guest
    Positive Mar 22, 2017
    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.

    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
  4. JavaScript icon

    JavaScript

     623 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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • AROS
    • Haiku
    JavaScript screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Asynchronous
    2.  Multiplatform
    3.  Interpreted language
    4.  Dynamic typing
    5.  Programmers Documentation
    6.  Extensibility
    7.  Portable
    8.  Support for scripting
    9.  Prototype-based inheritance

    JavaScript VS Java

     
    Comments about JavaScript as an Alternative to Java
    Nader Jafari
    Negative Jul 5, 2022
    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
  5. C++ icon

    C++

     320 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.

    68 C++ alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    C++ screenshot 1

    C++ Features

    1.  Compiled Language
    2.  Manual memory management
    3.  Systems programming
    4.  Object-oriented Language
    5.  Statically Typed Language
    6.  Portable

    C++ VS Java

     
    Comments about C++ as an Alternative to Java
    Most Recent Comment
    thomaszoschke
    Positive Aug 28, 2017
    3

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

    Borat Baka
    Positive Jul 16, 2023
    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++

    Guest
    Positive Mar 22, 2017
    2

    It's general purpose, native, and powerful.

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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
  6. Rust icon

    Rust

     142 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.

    46 Rust alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Rust screenshot 1

    Rust Features

    1.  Typesafe
    2.  Compiler Explanations
    3.  Static typing
    4.  Pattern matching
    5.  Package Manager
    6.  Compiled Language
    7.  Portable
    8.  Test case management
    9.  Abstract Data Types

    Rust VS Java

     
    Comments about Rust as an Alternative to Java
    Borat Baka
    Positive Jul 16, 2023
    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.

    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. 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.

    41 PHP alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PHP
    PHP screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Object-oriented Language

    PHP VS Java

     
  9. C (programming language) icon

    C (programming language)

     322 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.

    62 C (programming language) alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    C (programming language) screenshot 1

    C (programming language) Features

    1.  Systems programming
    2.  Works at kernel level
    3.  Manual memory management
    4.  Compiled Language
    5.  Inline assembly
    6.  Portable

    C (programming language) VS Java

     
    Comments about C (programming language) as an Alternative to Java
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Negative Mar 22, 2017
    2

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

    nineninesevenfour
    Positive May 9, 2021
    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 Feb 16, 2021
    -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
  10. Go (Programming Language) icon

    Go (Programming Language)

     149 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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Go (Programming Language)
    Go (Programming Language) screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Compiled Language
    2.  Object-oriented Language
    3.  Test case management
    4.  Readability
    5.  Performance Monitoring
    6.  Static typing
    7.  Support for scripting
    8.  Command line interface
    9.  Class inheritance
    10.  Typesafe
    11.  Garbage Collection
    12.  Statically Typed Language

    Go (Programming Language) VS Java

     
    Comments about Go (Programming Language) as an Alternative to Java
    RemovedUser
    Dec 15, 2023
    0

    More like an alternative to C than Java

    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
8 of 72 Java alternatives