16 Most Popular Java Applications Used World-Wide in 2024

Java Applications

1. Java Mobile Applications

Let’s begin by pointing out that the Android OS is closely based on Java, and that Android phones consistently garner a market share of over 85%. Add to this the fact that most mobile app developers call Java their official programming language. Java is compatible with app designing software such as Kotlin and Android Studio. Java Platform, Micro Edition (alternately called Java ME or J2ME) functions as a cross-platform framework for creating applications that work across all Java-support devices. Now take all of that and remember that mobile computing is outpacing desktop computing today, and you can see how you can’t escape Java.

2. Java Desktop GUI Applications

GUI stands for Graphic User Interface, and Java enables GUI development through resources like Abstract Windowing Toolkit (AWT), JavaFX, and Swing. AWT features several pre-made components such as button, list, menu, and several third-party components. JavaFX is composed of a set of graphics and media packages, providing Swing interoperability and 3D graphics features. Swing is a GUI widget that offers advanced elements such as lists, scroll panes, tables, tabbed panels, and trees.

Even though mobile computing dominates the market today, there is still demand out there for desktop applications, and with these tools, programmers can develop any desktop application.

3. Java Web-based Applications

Java provides high security and simple coding, two elements that attract web application developers. Servlets, Struts, and JSPs give effective support to web applications and offer the potential to develop whatever kind of programs needed. Additionally, open-source e-commerce platforms like Broadleaf makes designing e-commerce apps a simple task.

4. Java Web Servers and Application Servers

The robust Java ecosystem has given rise to numerous Java web and application servers. Web server space is home to servlets like Apache Tomcat, Project Jigsaw, and Rimfaxe Web Server (RWS). Meanwhile, servlets like WebLogic, WebSphere, and JBoss EAP have a firm foothold in the commercial application server space.

5. Java Enterprise Applications

Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) is a popular platform that offers API and runtime environments for scripting tasks, including web services and network applications, to name a couple. According to Oracle, Java runs on 97% of enterprise-owned computers. Java is also recognized as being the foundation for many banking applications that use Java in their entire process, from front-end users to back-end servers. Lastly, Java’s capacity for sustaining high performance makes it a smart choice for high-frequency trading systems like Murex.

6. Java Scientific Applications

Science-related mathematical operations and calculations require developing apps that are extremely fast, highly secure, easily maintained, and highly portable. Java fills this need nicely. Powerful scientific applications like MATLAB rely on Java as part of the core system and interacting user interfaces.

7. Java Gaming Applications

Java and the gaming industry are a match made in heaven. Java supports the jMonkey engine, one of the most potent 3D engines available today. And 2D games are a snap too; just couple Java with CSS, and you’re good to go. So, no matter what kind of games developers are designing, Java has them covered.

8. Java Big Data Technologies

Big data is big news today, and it’s hardly surprising that Java is right there in the thick of it. Let’s start by pointing out that Hadoop, arguably the most well-known and well-used big data platform, is written in Java. Additionally, Scala, a competing programming language, owes its origins to Java. Scala was created to address some of Java’s drawbacks.

Four programming languages compete in the world of Big Data, all of them striving to be the best and most used: Java, Scala, R, and Python.

9. Java Business Applications

Big enterprises have big problems. That’s why these organizations turn to the Java EE platform to develop large-scale, multi-tiered network applications that are scalable, reliable, and secure. Java offers features that deliver a powerful app that is less complex by providing tools like a development model, API, and runtime environment. These features free up developers to concentrate more on the app’s functionality.

10. Java Distributed Applications

Distributed applications are programs that run on multiple computers linked to the same network. For example, Internet Explorer is a distributed application. These applications are split into two separate programs: client software and server software.

Distributed applications bring their unique challenges due to their distributed characteristics and the dynamic quality of the servers and systems that run them. The Java Intelligent Networking Infrastructure, or JINI for short, represents an infrastructure that provides, registers, and finds distributed services by their specifications. JavaSpaces, a JINI component, supports distribution, persistence, and object migration within a network.

11. Java Cloud-based Applications

Ask a sampling of IT professionals what the three most important elements of today’s digital world are, and most will reply, “Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing.” So, it’s hardly surprising that Java has found its way into the cloud.

Cloud computing is defined as using off-site servers via the internet for processing, managing, and storing data. It’s a pay-as-you-go model and replaces local, in-house networks. Cloud computing is often used for distributed computing systems.

There are many Java Cloud development tools available, such as the Oracle Java Cloud Service. It serves as a platform for easily creating and configuring Oracle WebLogic servers and their application environments.

12. Software Tools

Software tools or software development tools are used by developers to build, debug, and maintain other software programs and applications. There are many software tools written in Java. For example, Netbeans, IntelliJ IDEA, and Eclipse are all IDEs written and developed in Java. 

13. Embedded Systems

Embedded systems refer to low-level systems that usually form a part of larger electromechanical systems. These include processors, tiny chips, microcontrollers, etc. Java is used to build robust and fast low-level embedded systems. Blu-ray discs and SIM cards are popular embedded systems that can be developed in Java.

14. Trading Applications

Java is also used to develop highly secure trading applications. Murex is one of the most popular trading applications used by banks for risk, treasury, and post-trade operations for financial markets. It is written in Java.

15. J2ME Apps

Today, the most popular operating systems for mobile phones are iOS and Android. However, there are a number of mobiles phones and personal digital assistants that use J2ME (Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition). J2ME is popularly used to develop products like blu-ray, set-top boxes, cards, etc. J2ME applications are expected to become even more popular in the next few years.

16. Server Apps In Financial Industry

The financial industry requires a number of server applications to run their day-to-day businesses like data processing, trading systems, confirmation systems, etc. Java is commonly used to write these server-side applications. Some of the leading financial institutions like CitiGroup, Goldman Sachs, and Barclays use Java-based applications for their businesses.

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But Wait, There’s More!

We never even touched upon two other concepts that also benefit from Java. If you’ve been following any of the news about developing self-driving cars, then whether you realize it or not, you’re being exposed to more Java. By combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and Java programming, the concept of self-driving cars gets closer to becoming a commonplace sight on our roads.

Furthermore, the rapidly-growing IoT increasingly relies on Java thanks to the language’s flexibility, adaptability, and ubiquity.

That concludes our list, though there are even more Java applications out there to be still explored. While there is a lot of programming language competition out there, Java continues to be the most popular, widely accepted language in use today.

Want to Learn More About Java?

If all this talk of Java has piqued your curiosity, then check out the kind of questions you could expect if you’re interviewing for a Java developer position. Next, take a look at what skills a Java developer needs to earn more in today’s market. The last article is especially valuable if you are already a Java developer but are interested in upskilling.

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