{"id":24157,"date":"2022-11-29T18:01:49","date_gmt":"2022-11-29T12:31:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mobisoftinfotech.com\/resources\/?p=24157"},"modified":"2025-11-21T10:57:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T05:27:48","slug":"kotlin-vs-java","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mobisoftinfotech.com\/resources\/blog\/kotlin-vs-java","title":{"rendered":"Kotlin vs. Java – What to Choose in 2023 to Build Android Apps Faster?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Indeed, developing Android apps helps you engage with your target audience better and gives your business the needed agility to create a niche in today\u2019s competitive market. But picking up the right programming language to support this agility is not an easy task. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most businesses were considering Java as their go-to language for all their app development needs, but the arrival of Kotlin has changed their approach drastically. While Java makes your code <\/span>super expensive<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Kotlin for Android developers proves to be a great platform to overcome development issues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how to choose the appropriate option that satisfies your unique business requirements? Today we will discuss the same in detail and resolve your queries related to <\/span>Kotlin vs. Java. So, let\u2019s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Java?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Java is the most popular developer platform in the world right now. It is used to power over <\/span>13 billion devices<\/span><\/a> worldwide and shows no sign of decline in popularity. This programming language is used to create a variety of applications such as websites and computer games. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Java for developers proves highly convenient. It supports cross-platform operability and functions on the Write Once Run Anywhere (WORA) theory. Apart from creating websites and games, Java also works with big data, such as programs for scientific purposes. Famous mobile applications like Netflix, Uber, Spotify, Amazon, etc., are developed using Java. You can refer to our other <\/span>blog on Java <\/a><\/span>for further details like features, Java development tools, etc. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that we have covered some of the most popular apps to use Java, let\u2019s understand the pros and cons of this language.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1<\/span> Easy to Use<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

One of the most praised features of Java is that it is one of the simplest languages to use and is less complicated than C++. You can quickly learn how to read, write and maintain the code in Java. The complex concepts of this language, such as storage classes, explicit pointers, and operator overloading, are being removed from Java. This is one of the main reasons why it is simpler than the other languages. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2<\/span> Efficient Memory Allocation<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Memory is divided into two parts, namely, stack and heap. Whenever a variable is declared in a Java program, it is assigned to the stack or heap memory sections. Java Virtual Machine (JVM) helps allocate the memory and retrieve it very conveniently by automatic allocation. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3<\/span> Supports Multithreading<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Being multithreaded, it can execute several tasks simultaneously. A thread is the smallest unit of a process. So, multithreading allows us to use the CPU to the maximum. The individual threads run independently without affecting one another. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4<\/span> Object-oriented Programming (OOP)<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

It helps you write and compile reusable code and is platform-independent. Using this method, You can organize the bigger modules into smaller ones that are easier to understand. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5<\/span> Secure Language<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

By eliminating the use of explicit pointers, Java improves security. This is because a pointer leads to another variable, which can cause unauthorized access. A set of security rules in each class allows your developers to define all the class access rules clearly. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1<\/span> Not Suitable for Complex GUI<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The default look of applications written using <\/span>Java for android development is very different from those written in native languages. While there are GUI builders in Java, none of them are suitable for building complicated UI. There are also many inconsistencies in these GUI builders. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2<\/span> Complex Code<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Java code are verbose and can often raise complications to read or understand. The overall readability of the code is compromised due to the explanations for each part of the code.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Kotlin?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kotlin was introduced in 2011 and derived its name from Kotlin Island in Russia. It was created by YouTrack, JetBrains, and many other IDE solutions as a modernized version of Java. In 2018, it was also recognized as the second most popular programming language by the <\/span>StackOverflow Developers<\/span><\/a> Survey.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kotlin is a general-purpose, open-source, statically written \u2018pragmatic\u2019 programming language that is designed for Android and JVM. It can combine object-oriented and functional programming features to develop apps quickly and efficiently. Top mobile applications like Pinterest, Evernote, Uber, Coursera, Trello, etcare created using Kotlin. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, let\u2019s check out the pros and cons of Kotlin:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1<\/span> Can Be Used with Java Code<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The interoperability in place means it is effortless for developers to add new features or migrate code from Java to Kotlin. Both languages can be used together if needed. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2<\/span> Easy to Maintain<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

New IDEs are not required since most of them on the market currently support Kotlin, such as Android Studio. This enables the developers to work with tools that they are already used to. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3<\/span> Highly Reliable<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Kotlin has proved its reliability, having entered the market in 2011. And it has undergone multiple beta and alfa versions prior to being released officially. So, the interface has minimal bugs and is highly usable on a daily basis. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4<\/span> Improves Productivity<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Kotlin removes the complexities of Java and replaces it with a concise and efficient syntax instead. Writing and compiling a program using Kotlin requires very little time. As a result, it can help enhance the overall productivity of your team. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5<\/span> Easy to Learn<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The aim of Kotlin is to help enhance the features of Java. So, if you have any prior mobile development skills using Java, they can be used for development using Kotlin as well. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1<\/span> Limited Learning Resources<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Limited learning resources means that it could take you some time to master the language since you have to tinker with it yourself. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2<\/span> The Number of Kotlin Developers is Less than the Demand<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Although talent for Kotlin is rising after Google declared its support in 2017, the number of available developers is still less than the demand.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3<\/span> Slow compilation<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Kotlin is faster than Java during the incremental build, but only in select cases. Although Java is slower, it can provide cleaner builds than Kotlin. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4<\/span> Not Same as Java<\/b><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Kotlin is not a perfect copy of Java and is an original concept, after all. So, additional expenses for training would be needed, along with time to get familiar with the software. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kotlin vs Java: What Are the Key Differences? <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you have come across the basics for <\/span>Java vs Kotlin, let\u2019s discuss the key differences to help you understand where they stand in a head-to-head comparison. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n