Java Framework Showdown: Spring Boot vs Jakarta EE
If you’re getting started with enterprise Java development or looking to upskill your team, one of the most common questions you’ll encounter is:
“Should I learn Spring Boot or Jakarta EE?”
Both frameworks are widely used for building scalable, enterprise-grade applications — but they approach development differently and offer unique advantages.
At Mah Quests Enterprises, we help professionals make informed decisions based on real-world industry needs, and this breakdown will help you choose the right path in 2025.
What Are They?
🔹 Spring Boot
Spring Boot is part of the larger Spring ecosystem and is designed to rapidly create stand-alone, production-ready applications. It eliminates boilerplate code and auto-configures many components, allowing developers to build complex apps with less setup.
Best for: Microservices, rapid development, DevOps pipelines
🔹 Jakarta EE (formerly Java EE)
Jakarta EE is the official successor to Java EE and is governed by the Eclipse Foundation. It provides a standardized set of specifications for enterprise applications, such as servlets, JPA, CDI, and more.
Best for: Large-scale, enterprise-standardized platforms with strict architectural requirements
Feature Comparison (2025)
| Feature | Spring Boot | Jakarta EE |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Curve | Beginner to Intermediate (easier setup) | Intermediate to Advanced (manual setup) |
| Microservices Support | ✅ Excellent with Spring Cloud | ⚠️ Requires extra configuration |
| Community & Ecosystem | Huge (backed by Pivotal/VMware) | Strong, growing (Eclipse Foundation) |
| Tooling & Dev Speed | Fast DevTools, Spring Initializr | Slower, more structured |
| Use in Industry | Popular in startups + fintech | Used in legacy + large government apps |
Real-World Use Cases
🔸 Spring Boot:
A South African fintech startup recently built a fraud detection API using Spring Boot. It used Spring Security, Spring Data JPA, and integrated with third-party AML/KYC tools — all with less than 10 configuration files.
🔸 Jakarta EE:
A large insurance provider maintained a stable Jakarta EE system for over a decade, leveraging the consistent standards for security audits and long-term support across thousands of users.
Which One Should You Learn?
If you’re…
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Building new apps in 2025 | ✅ Learn Spring Boot |
| Working in DevOps/agile teams | ✅ Spring Boot (faster CI/CD integration) |
| Maintaining legacy enterprise apps | ✅ Jakarta EE knowledge is valuable |
| Wanting a job in fintech, retail tech, or cloud-native | ✅ Spring Boot dominates |
| Wanting to work in government, banking, or telecom | ⚖️ Jakarta EE is still highly relevant |
Why Not Both?
While Spring Boot leads in popularity and speed, Jakarta EE offers a robust foundation in Java architecture. At Mah Quests Enterprises, we train developers to leverage both — especially when transitioning legacy Jakarta EE systems into modern Spring-based microservices.
Learn Java for the Real World
Our Java Fundamentals and Enterprise Development programs teach:
- Spring Boot with hands-on microservices
- Jakarta EE architecture for system modernization
- Secure coding and POPIA-compliant development
- Real-world project simulations
📩 Want Help Choosing the Right Track?
📧 Email: hello@mahquests.co.za
🌐 Website: www.mahquests.co.za
📅 Book a consult: [Insert link]