Kotlin vs Java: What’s the Best Option for Your Android Project?

• Mobile
• September 7, 2024

by Akash Patel

This blog provides a detailed comparison of Kotlin vs Java for Android app development, guiding you through the strengths and weaknesses of both languages. It explains Kotlin’s modern features and contrasts them with Java’s stability and large community support. The blog also highlights Kotlin and Java’s main features, similarities, and differences, telling you all about both programming languages.

It is easy to choose the best framework and libraries for Android app development, but when it comes to choosing the programming language for an Android app, the debate of Kotlin vs Java is a long-standing one. Java has been a staple in Android development for years, offering a time-tested approach to coding. Meanwhile, Kotlin, the newer kid on the block, has quickly gained traction with its modern features and developer-friendly design.

This Kotlin vs Java debate encompasses not just technical comparisons but also preferences related to code readability, development speed, and future-proofing your projects. As both languages continue to evolve, understanding their strengths and trade-offs will help you make the best choice for your development needs.

So, should you stick with the reliable and time-tested Java, or is it time to embrace Kotlin, the modern up-and-comer? This blog will tell you all while listing the pros, and cons to help you find out which one builds the best app possible!

Kotlin at a Glance: What You Need to Know

Kotlin is a new-age, statically typed programming language invented by JetBrains. The language was officially endorsed by Google as a first-class language for Android app development in 2017, and it has since become a favorite among developers for its concise and expressive syntax.

Brief Overview

Kotlin is designed to be fully interoperable with Java and allows developers to use existing Java libraries and frameworks seamlessly while offering more advanced features. Its syntax is streamlined to reduce boilerplate code, making it easier to read and write.

Kotlin also includes built-in safety features, including null safety, which helps prevent common programming errors and improves code reliability.

Key Features

• Concise Syntax
• Null Safety
• Interoperability with Java
• Extension Functions
• Smart Casts
• Data Classes
• Standard Library Functions
• Coroutines for Asynchronous Programming

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Less boilerplate code compared to Java
• Simplifies writing asynchronous code
• More reliable and easy to maintain
• Follows a more functional approach to coding

Cons

• Slower compilation speed
• Less mature ecosystem
• Limited resources and learning materials
• Occasional compatibility issues

Top Companies Using Kotlin

• Google
• Netflix
• Uber
• Pinterest
• Trello
• Basecamp
• Corda
• Slack

Java Basics: What You Should Know

Java was developed by James Gosling, often referred to as the father of Java, in 1995. The project was originally named “Oak”, after a tree outside Gosling’s office. He, along with his team, began the project in the early 1990s to use the language for programming consumer electronics like set-top boxes, interactive TV, and other embedded devices.

However, it was best suited for internet programming. After the surge of the World Wide Web, Gosling renamed it Java, after a type of coffee.

Brief Overview

Java is a powerful object-oriented programming language widely used for building web applications, mobile apps, and enterprise software. Java was created with the principle of “Write Once, Run Anywhere” (WORA), enabling developers to write code that can be executed across multiple platforms without modification.

Key Features

• Platform Independence
• Object Oriented
• Robust, Reliable, and Familiar
• Multithreaded
• Strong Documentation
• Architecture Neutral
• Interpreted
• Distributed
• Scalable and Versatile
• Available Free of Cost

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Encourages modular design, code reuse, and maintainability
• Straightforward learning process
• Offers Rich APIs and extensive standard libraries
• Automatically manages memory through the garbage collector 

Cons

• Tends to consume more memory than native applications
• Limited low-level programming capabilities
• Complex memory management for high-performance applications
• Fragmentation issues

Top Companies Using Java

• Microsoft
• Instagram
• Belitsoft
• eBay
• Accenture
• Eleks
• Airbnb
• Spotify

Kotlin and Java: Features Comparison

Kotlin and Java share several similarities, which make transitioning between the two relatively easy, especially since Kotlin was designed to be fully interoperable with Java. Here are the key similarities: 

Object Oriented

Both languages are object-oriented and share concepts such as classes, inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism. They support imperative programming styles, using familiar constructs like loops, conditionals, and functions.

Platform Independence

Both Kotlin and Java compile to bytecode that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It means both the languages also support cross platform app development. Kotlin benefits from the same cross-platform capabilities as Java, following the “Write Once, Run Anywhere” principle. Since both Kotlin and Java run on the JVM, they can both be used for developing Android apps, web services, and enterprise applications.

Static Type

Kotlin and Java are statically typed, meaning that types are known at compile time. This helps catch errors early and improve code reliability and maintainability. Although Kotlin introduces more advanced type inference, both languages rely on the notion of types for defining variables, classes, and functions.

Familiar Syntax

Kotlin’s syntax shares similarities with Java’s in terms of class definitions, object-oriented principles, variable declaration, and method invocation. If developers know Java, learning Kotlin becomes straightforward because much of their basic structure is familiar.

Android Support

Both Kotlin and Java are official languages for Android app development. Kotlin has been gaining popularity in Android development because of its modern features, but Java is still widely used in legacy and enterprise-level applications. These languages use the same Android SDK, and the Kotlin Android Extensions allow Kotlin to work seamlessly with Java Android code.

Free to Use

Both Kotlin and Java are free for most users, especially if you’re using OpenJDK for Java and the open-source versions of Kotlin tools. If you require specific enterprise support or additional features, then some paid options are available, but for general development, both languages are free to use.

Kotlin vs Java: Which One is Better?

Kotlin vs Java: which is better, is definitely a hard question to answer as there are numerous advantages and disadvantages of Kotlin and Java. Both languages differ from each other yet serve the same purpose, making it harder for you to choose one. So, here’s a detailed Java vs Kotlin performance comparison that explores the key differences and benefits of both programming languages to help you make an informed choice that aligns with your development needs and project goals.

Basic Comparison

Project Requirements and Complexity

For small-scale projects, Kotlin is a reliable programming language as its concise syntax allows developers to write less code, reducing development time and making the project easier to manage. On the other hand, Java is more suitable for simple yet long projects as it is widely used and developers are familiar with the language.

For large projects, Java is the most-favorite language, especially for enterprise-level application development. Java’s mature ecosystem and vast library support make it suitable for complex, multi-layered systems. However, Kotlin is also suitable for large projects as it reduces boilerplate code and simplifies large codebase management over time, leading to faster development cycles and cleaner code.

Null Safety

In the Kotlin performance vs Java performance comparison, Kotlin has a significant advantage in terms of null safety. It was designed with null safety in mind, whereas Java needs additional handling and often leads to runtime errors like the infamous NullPointerException (NPE).

Kotlin’s null safety feature helps minimize runtime exceptions and enhance application performance. By enforcing null safety, Kotlin significantly reduces the chances of encountering null pointer exceptions, which are common in Java.

In Java, any variable can hold a null value, often leading to runtime errors. However, in Kotlin, you must explicitly specify whether a variable can be null or not. This ensures better compile-time checks and helps prevent null pointer exceptions during runtime.

Additionally, Kotlin’s use of immutable data structures contributes to better performance, as it promotes safer, more efficient code execution. Hence, You can conclude that Kotlin has advantages over Java in terms of null safety.

Coroutines Support

Coroutines Support is a non-negligible difference between Kotlin and Java and it must be counted. Kotlin simplifies handling concurrency with its coroutines. Unlike Java threads, Kotlin coroutines allow you to perform multiple long-running tasks without blocking the main thread. Coroutines can suspend execution at certain points and resume later, making it easier to manage concurrent tasks efficiently. This approach reduces the complexity of thread management and improves the overall responsiveness of applications.

In Java managing multithreading can be quite complex. When you initiate a long-running operation such as network I/O or CPU-intensive tasks, Java threads can become blocked, leading to potential performance issues and complicating thread management.

In summary, while both Kotlin and Java support multithreading, Kotlin’s use of coroutines offers a more streamlined and efficient way to handle complex asynchronous operations without the overhead and potential pitfalls of traditional thread management. In the Java vs Kotlin performance comparison, Kotlin gets an extra point for having coroutine support.

Data Classes

Kotlin introduces data classes to reduce boilerplate code and streamlined object modeling. A single line of code can create a fully functional data class that automatically generates necessary methods such as equals(), hashCode(), toString(), and copy(). These methods come built-in without any additional effort from the developer.

In Java, there is no direct equivalent to Kotlin’s data classes. To achieve the same functionality, you would need to manually create getter and setter methods, override equals(), hashCode(), and toString(), and write a constructor. This results in significantly more boilerplate code, which increases the possibility of errors and reduces development speed.

As you can see, the Java version requires significantly more code to achieve the same functionality. In larger classes, this repetition can become cumbersome, slowing down development. Hence, in the Kotlin vs Java comparison, Kotlin gets a winning point in this category.

Development Speed

If we compare Kotlin vs Java in terms of development speed, Kotlin is faster due to its streamlined syntax and features like extension functions, which reduce the amount of repetitive code. It has been designed to be more concise than Java. Developers can achieve the same functionality by writing less code.

Java, with its more verbose nature, may require more time and effort to implement similar functionality, especially in complex projects. It can make the code explicit and sometimes easier to understand for new developers, but it often slows down the development process as developers spend more time writing repetitive boilerplate code. In this category, there are hardly any Kotlin advantages over Java. Both languages firmly stand their ground.

Learning Curve

For developers who are already familiar with Java, learning Kotlin is relatively easy. Both languages are interoperable and share similar concepts, making it possible to pick up Kotlin quickly without having to relearn foundational concepts. The biggest shift for Java developers is adjusting to Kotlin’s more concise syntax and modern features like lambda expressions, extension functions, and smart casts.

For beginners with no prior experience in Java or another programming language, Kotlin’s modern features can introduce a bit of a steeper learning curve compared to Java’s explicitness. Concepts like higher-order functions or null safety might be new and initially challenging for some.

On the other hand, Java has been around since 1995 and is one of the most widely known languages. Many developers learn it as their first programming language. Java has a more traditional, verbose syntax. While this can lead to more boilerplate code, it also makes the language more explicit, which can help new developers better understand what the code is doing. Java’s object-oriented programming model is clear and easy to grasp, which aids in learning foundational programming concepts. Well, tie is the ultimate result of this comparison as both languages have similar learning curves.

Community and Support

Kotlin is a recently launched language and it benefits from a rapidly growing community and strong backing from JetBrains and Google. Its focus on modern development practices, especially in Android, and its growing open-source contributions make it an increasingly attractive option for new projects.

On the other hand, Java has the edge in terms of a long-established community and enterprise support, with a vast ecosystem and extensive educational resources. Its longevity has fostered a stable and mature environment with significant resources available for developers. Hence, you choose any language and you’ll get the desired support.

Kotlin vs Java: Final Verdict

Both languages have their own strengths and serve different purposes depending on the context.

However, as technology evolves, there are key areas where each language shines. Here’s the final verdict based on various aspects of Kotlin vs Java comparison:

When to Choose Kotlin?

• You’re developing Android apps or working on small projects
• Your project requires modern features like null safety and coroutines
• You need concise, expressive code that improves developer productivity
• You want a modern language with seamless Java interoperability

When to Choose Java?

• You’re working on a large enterprise system or legacy project using Android
• Your team has extensive experience with Java
• You need to work within a mature ecosystem
• Your project requires well-established libraries and frameworks

To leverage the best of both programming languages, you can use them together in Android app development. Since Kotlin is fully interoperable with Java, developers can seamlessly integrate both languages to create more versatile, maintainable, and high-performance Android apps.

However, to achieve this objective, you must choose a reliable Android app development company that can handle the complexity of Java and work with advanced features of Kotlin. In absence of professional expertise, you may lose more than you gain.

MindInventory: The Best Choice for Android App Development with Kotlin or Java

MindInventory prides itself on being a top-tier mobile app development company. We have the expertise to deliver the best of both worlds, whether you’re looking to build your app using Kotlin or Java. Our team crafts robust, scalable, and high-performance Android applications.

You can hire Android app developers who are well-versed in both languages to tailor the right solution for your project. When it comes to Kotlin, our experts leverage its modern features like null safety, coroutines, and extension functions to create efficient, high-performance apps with minimal boilerplate code.

On the other hand, if your project demands the time-tested reliability of Java, they leverage the language’s robust libraries, multi-threading capabilities, and extensive ecosystem.

At MindInventory, we don’t just offer expertise in one language – we help you decide the best fit based on your specific app requirements, ensuring your Android app is built to perform, scale, and succeed. Whether it’s Kotlin’s modernity or Java’s reliability, we know how to harness the full potential of either to deliver exceptional mobile experiences.

FAQs About Kotlin vs Java