Apache Struts
Java web frameworks
Web frameworks
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
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What is Apache Struts
Apache Struts is an open-source Java web application framework for building server-side, MVC-based web applications. It provides a request/response controller layer, form handling, and tag libraries to help structure web UIs and actions. It is typically used by Java teams maintaining or extending legacy enterprise web applications and by organizations that standardize on servlet containers. Struts is developed as an Apache Software Foundation project and integrates with common Java EE technologies.
Mature MVC architecture
Struts implements a well-known Model-View-Controller pattern with a front controller, action classes, and view support. This structure helps teams separate request handling from business logic and presentation. Many organizations have established patterns, training, and codebases around Struts, which can reduce change risk for maintenance work.
Large legacy ecosystem
Struts has long-standing adoption in enterprise Java environments, so many existing applications, examples, and third-party integrations exist. Teams maintaining older Java web stacks can often find compatible libraries and community knowledge. This can be useful when modernizing incrementally rather than rewriting an application.
Apache governance and licensing
The project is maintained under the Apache Software Foundation with an Apache License 2.0, which is widely accepted for commercial use. The open governance model provides transparent source code, issue tracking, and release processes. This can simplify procurement and legal review compared with proprietary frameworks.
Security patching burden
Struts has had multiple high-profile vulnerabilities over time, which increases the importance of timely upgrades and dependency management. Organizations running older versions may face elevated risk if patching cycles are slow. Security teams often require additional controls such as WAF rules and strict dependency scanning when Struts is in the stack.
Less aligned with modern Java
Compared with newer Java web frameworks, Struts is less commonly chosen for greenfield development and may not match current conventions for configuration, testing, and cloud-native deployment. Teams may need additional libraries or custom patterns for modern concerns such as reactive workloads, API-first design, or opinionated application scaffolding. This can increase architectural effort for new projects.
Developer productivity limitations
Struts applications can involve significant configuration and boilerplate, especially in larger codebases with many actions and views. The framework’s patterns can be rigid, making refactoring and large-scale changes more time-consuming. Teams may also find it harder to attract developers who prefer more contemporary Java web stacks.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open-source (Apache License 2.0) | $0 (free) | Full framework source and binary distributions available for download at no charge; distributed under the Apache License 2.0; community support via user mailing list and issue tracker; no commercial/paid tiers listed on official site. |
Seller details
Apache Software Foundation
Wakefield, Massachusetts, USA
1999
Non-profit
https://www.apache.org/
https://x.com/TheASF
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-apache-software-foundation/
