Java Alternatives for Mac

There are many alternatives to Java for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best Mac alternative is Python, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Java and loads of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to Java are C#, C++, JavaScript and Rust.

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Java alternatives are mainly Programming Languages but may also be Compilers or Numerical Computation Software.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Java.
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Java is a general-purpose computer programming language that is concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, and specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible.

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Java alternatives page was last updated Dec 15, 2023
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  1. Python icon
    Python icon

    Python

     1342 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.

    91 Python alternatives
    Python screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Symbian S60
    • BSD
    • AROS
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • OpenSolaris
    • MorphOS
    Python screenshot 1
    The Python 3.1 interpreter running in a GNOME Terminal

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Ad-free

    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.  Rad
    Python iconJava Icon

    Python VS Java

    Is Python a good alternative to Java?
     
    Comments about Python as an Alternative to Java
     
       
    VenHayz

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

    Top positive comment •Apr 12, 2017
    2
    Nader Jafari

    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.

    Top negative comment •Jul 5, 2022
    0
    The Linux Maniac

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

    Positive comment •Feb 16, 2021
    -3
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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# icon

    C#

     223 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.

    78 C# alternatives
    C# screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    C# Features

    1.  Compiled Language
    2.  Object-oriented Language
    C# iconJava Icon

    C# VS Java

    Is C# a good alternative to Java?
     
    Comments about C# as an Alternative to Java
     
    Nader Jafari

    Basically Microsoft Java. Same idea, different execution and culture

    Positive comment •Jul 5, 2022
    1
    Guest

    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.

    Positive comment •Mar 22, 2017
    5
    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. C++ icon
    C++ icon

    C++

     314 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
    C++ screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    C++ Features

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

    C++ VS Java

    Is C++ a good alternative to Java?
     
    Comments about C++ as an Alternative to Java
     
       
    thomaszoschke

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

    Positive comment •Aug 28, 2017
    3
    Borat Baka

    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++

    Positive comment •Jul 16, 2023
    0
    Guest

    It's general purpose, native, and powerful.

    Positive comment •Mar 22, 2017
    2
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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. JavaScript icon
    JavaScript icon

    JavaScript

     610 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.

    67 JavaScript alternatives
    JavaScript screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    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 iconJava Icon

    JavaScript VS Java

    Is JavaScript a good alternative to Java?
     
    Comments about JavaScript as an Alternative to Java
     
    Nader Jafari

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

    Negative comment •Jul 5, 2022
    0
    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
  6. Rust icon
    Rust icon

    Rust

     130 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
    Rust screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Rust Features

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

    Rust VS Java

    Is Rust a good alternative to Java?
     
    Comments about Rust as an Alternative to Java
     
    Borat Baka

    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.

    Positive comment •Jul 16, 2023
    0
    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 icon

    PHP

     462 likes
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    PHP is a widely-used general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited for Web development and can be embedded into HTML.

    43 PHP alternatives
    PHP screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PHP

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Object-oriented Language
    PHP iconJava Icon

    PHP VS Java

    Is PHP a good alternative to Java?
     
  9. C (programming language) icon
    C (programming language) icon

    C (programming language)

     315 likes
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    C is a general-purpose computer programming language. C is one of the most widely used programming languages of all time.

    66 C (programming language) alternatives
    C (programming language) screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • AROS
    • Android Wear
    • Haiku
    • Playstation

    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) iconJava Icon

    C (programming language) VS Java

    Is this a good alternative to Java?
     
    Comments about C (programming language) as an Alternative to Java
     
       
    Guest

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

    Negative comment •Mar 22, 2017
    2
    nineninesevenfour

    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.

    Positive comment •May 9, 2021
    0
    The Linux Maniac

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

    Negative comment •Feb 16, 2021
    -4
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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 Android Tablet 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) icon

    Go (Programming Language)

     142 likes
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    Go, also called golang, is a programming language initially developed at Google in 2007 by Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike, and Ken Thompson. It is a statically-typed language with syntax loosely derived from that of C, adding automatic memory management, type safety, some...

    68 Go (Programming Language) alternatives
    Go (Programming Language) screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    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.  Class inheritance
    9.  Typesafe
    10.  Garbage Collection
    Go (Programming Language) iconJava Icon

    Go (Programming Language) VS Java

    Is this a good alternative to Java?
     
    Comments about Go (Programming Language) as an Alternative to Java
     
    RemovedUser

    More like an alternative to C than Java

    Comment •Dec 15, 2023
    0
    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 61 Java alternatives