# Javalin

6 Hacker News commenters recommended Javalin and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 5 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Lightweight Java web framework that feels like Express.js, praised as fast and straightforward for quick server projects.

## Why people recommend it

- Express-like API for Java servers (2 comments): "for oneshot java projects where you write your webserver like you'd write express.js" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47419566)) "It's possible to have something like Express, take a look at Javalin." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46530025))
- Fast, snappy, straightforward modern Java (2 comments): "straight-forward modern Java, super fast." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47421569)) "it's very snappy and works great" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48888750))
- Go-to choice for personal projects (2 comments): "I usually reach for Java with javalin" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50007315)) "frameworks (currently Javalin+Vue.js)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46075143))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Ruby on Rails](https://hackerapproved.com/p/ruby-on-rails.md): 337 recommend
- [Django](https://hackerapproved.com/p/django.md): 277 recommend
- [Next.js](https://hackerapproved.com/p/next-js.md): 127 recommend
- [Phoenix Framework](https://hackerapproved.com/p/phoenix.md): 85 recommend
- [Laravel](https://hackerapproved.com/p/laravel.md): 71 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Javalin", https://hackerapproved.com/p/javalin/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).