Vaadin is one of the most popular Java web frameworks, and for good reason—it pioneered the concept of building web UIs entirely in Java. But after using Vaadin for years and then building Oorian, we've identified key differences that matter for real-world applications.
The Core Philosophical Difference
Vaadin builds and maintains its own component library. When you need a data grid, you use Vaadin Grid. When you need charts, you use Vaadin Charts. This creates a cohesive ecosystem but with significant trade-offs.
Oorian wraps existing best-of-breed JavaScript libraries. When you need a data grid, you can use AG Grid, Webix, SyncFusion, or others. When you need charts, choose from Chart.js, Highcharts, ECharts, or ApexCharts.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Vaadin | Oorian |
|---|---|---|
| UI Components | Proprietary Vaadin components | 58 wrapper libraries (AG Grid, SyncFusion, etc.) |
| Communication | WebSocket-first (Push) | Choose AJAX, SSE, or WebSocket per page |
| Licensing | Free tier + expensive commercial | Free for non-commercial, simple commercial licensing |
| Lock-in | High (proprietary components) | Low (standard JavaScript libraries) |
| Learning Curve | Moderate | Low (familiar JDK patterns) |
Component Quality
Vaadin's components are good, but they're maintained by one company trying to cover everything. Oorian lets you use components from specialists:
- AG Grid: The industry standard for enterprise data grids
- Highcharts: Used by 80% of the largest companies in the world
- FullCalendar: The most popular JavaScript calendar
- Monaco Editor: The same editor that powers VS Code
Code Comparison
Creating a Data Grid in Vaadin
Grid<Customer> grid = new Grid<>(Customer.class);
grid.setItems(customerService.findAll());
grid.addColumn(Customer::getName).setHeader("Name");
grid.addColumn(Customer::getEmail).setHeader("Email");
grid.addSelectionListener(e -> handleSelection(e));Creating a Data Grid in Oorian (with AG Grid)
AgGrid grid = new AgGrid();
grid.setRowData(customerService.findAll());
grid.addColumn("name", "Name");
grid.addColumn("email", "Email");
grid.registerListener(this, RowSelectedEvent.class);The syntax is similar, but with Oorian you get AG Grid's full feature set—the most powerful data grid available.
The Licensing Reality
Vaadin's free tier is limited. For production applications, you'll likely need commercial licensing, which can cost thousands of dollars per developer per year. Many Vaadin features are only available in the commercial version.
Oorian itself is free for non-commercial use with straightforward commercial licensing. The wrapper libraries you choose have their own licensing terms, but you have the flexibility to select libraries that fit your budget.
Conclusion
Both frameworks let you build web applications in Java. The choice depends on whether you value a unified ecosystem (Vaadin) or flexibility and component quality (Oorian). For complex applications where UI quality matters, Oorian's approach offers significant advantages.