Looking for a Vaadin Alternative?
Oorian offers everything developers love about Vaadin—pure Java development, server-side rendering, interactive updates—without the vendor lock-in. Use best-of-breed UI libraries instead of proprietary components.
Oorian vs Vaadin: Key Differences
Both frameworks enable pure Java web development, but take fundamentally different approaches to UI components.
No Vendor Lock-In
Vaadin locks you into their proprietary component library. Oorian wraps industry-leading JavaScript libraries like AG Grid, Syncfusion, and ECharts—switch or mix libraries anytime.
Best-of-Breed Components
Instead of mediocre built-in components, use specialized libraries maintained by experts. Need a data grid? Use AG Grid. Need charts? Use Highcharts or ECharts.
Flexible Communication
Choose AJAX, SSE, or WebSocket per page. Simple forms use AJAX, dashboards use SSE for server push, real-time apps use WebSocket—you decide.
Lightweight Architecture
No complex client-side framework, no webpack, no npm. Oorian keeps things simple with clean, understandable communication between server and browser.
Flexible Licensing
Vaadin's commercial components require expensive licenses. Oorian is free for non-commercial use, with straightforward commercial licensing.
Production Proven
Oorian has powered iGradePlus—a commercial SaaS with 500k+ lines of code—for over 10 years. This isn't a prototype; it's battle-tested software.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
A detailed look at how Oorian and Vaadin compare across key features.
| Feature | Vaadin | Oorian |
|---|---|---|
| Development Language | Pure Java | Pure Java |
| Server-Side Rendering | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Communication | ✓ Push support | ✓ AJAX / SSE / WebSocket |
| UI Components | Proprietary library | Best-of-breed extensions |
| Data Grid | Vaadin Grid | AG Grid, Syncfusion, Webix, etc. |
| Charts | Vaadin Charts | ECharts, Highcharts, Chart.js, etc. |
| Rich Text Editor | Limited options | CKEditor, TinyMCE, Quill, etc. |
| Vendor Lock-In | ✗ High | ✓ None |
| Switch UI Libraries | ✗ Not possible | ✓ Anytime |
| Event Model | Custom events | JDK-style listeners |
| Client-Side Framework | Lit/Web Components | None required |
| Build Tooling | npm/webpack required | None required |
| Production Use | Widely used | 10+ years (iGradePlus) |
| Open Source Core | ✓ Apache 2.0 | Free for non-commercial |
| Commercial License | Per-developer pricing | Per-domain pricing |
Why Developers Switch from Vaadin
Component Limitations
Vaadin's built-in components are good, but specialized libraries are better. When you need advanced grid features, complex charts, or rich text editing, you hit Vaadin's limits. Oorian lets you use the best tool for each job.
Licensing Costs
Vaadin's commercial components (Grid Pro, Charts, etc.) require expensive per-developer licenses that scale with your team. Oorian's per-domain licensing means you pay once, regardless of team size.
Vendor Dependency
Building on Vaadin means your entire UI depends on one vendor's roadmap and pricing decisions. With Oorian, you can swap UI libraries without rewriting your application.
Build Complexity
Vaadin requires npm, webpack, and frontend build tooling. This adds complexity and build times. Oorian has no frontend build step—just compile your Java and deploy.
Performance Concerns
Vaadin's client-side framework adds overhead. Oorian's lightweight JSON messaging keeps things fast and simple, with less data transferred between client and server.
Thinking About Migration?
Oorian and Vaadin share similar concepts—server-side Java, component-based UI, event handling. If you know Vaadin, you'll feel at home with Oorian. The main difference is swapping Vaadin components for extension library equivalents. Your business logic, event handlers, and application structure remain largely the same.
Ready to Explore a Better Alternative?
Oorian is coming soon. Learn more about our approach to Java web development.