Java has been the undisputed king of programming languages for a while now and it’s no wonder that there are so many Java development companies out there claiming to offer top-quality services. While that is great in theory, in practice, it makes the search for the right developer for your project that much harder. That’s why we took the time to list the best developers in the field so read on to learn which they are, along with how we went about ranking them and don’t forget to check out our handy tips for selecting the right partner for your Java project.
There are certain things to take into account when choosing a Java software development company, including experience, expertise, past projects, skills, and more. Read on to learn more about our evaluation process and what we looked for when ranking the top Java developers on the market.
Before you can decide whether a Java development company is well suited to your project, you must have a look at their previous work. We took an in-depth look into their portfolio of projects, which includes testing the solutions they've built for past clients.
Certifications for Java application development and engineering are not compulsory. That said, Oracle offers various certifications on many levels, and those can help you choose the most qualified Java development company for the job. The certifications we looked into target developers who are not only experienced but who like to keep their skills up to date. We don't just want a company with the relevant skills; we want current skills that make them stand out in a competitive job market. The following certifications add value to the expertise of Java developer companies:
When it comes to reputation, we only recommend Java companies that have proven themselves in the industry. Therefore, we checked for the following:
Expertise plays an important role when choosing a Java application development company. The best Java programmers will have a solid hold on the core Java skills as well as some advanced concepts depending on the nature of the job. While we don't expect developers to know absolutely everything, we're interested in companies that can provide expertise in the following core and advanced Java skills and concepts.
These are the best solutions for building mobile applications with the best features and the least code. Java web frameworks like Spring MVC and Play support the development of web applications, Java development services, resources, and APIs in a standard way to build the best and most user-friendly applications for the web.
This is an application program designed to provide numerous functions, including user authentication, logging, or establishing a connection with the database. Some of the Java Application Containers we look out for include Jboss, Jetty, WebLogic, and WebSphere.
We look for Java application development companies that take advantage of the best Java testing tools like JUnit and Selenium. These tools allow developers and programmers to test JSP pages and web applications that do not require users to launch an app in a web browser. These tools help with multiple test activities, from test execution to defect logging, analysis, and more.
Java EE Components allow Java developer companies to write server-side applications. It can be challenging to handle requests coming from web-based clients, so APIs like Servlet and JavaServer assist with logging activities using cookies while simplifying these issues when they arise.
With the help of web technologies like Javascript, Jquery, HTML, and CSS, developers are afforded a simplified, faster way to create dynamic web content. Having a handle on web technology is crucial for Java companies as it helps to better understand the techniques of establishing communication between multiple computer systems using markup languages.
REST stands for Representational State Transfer, and each Java web development company must have a solid understanding of this approach. Understanding how REST can increase the working output of web services, scalability, and performance is considered a highly desirable skill for Java developers in our ranking process. It’s also essential for Node.js developers.
We check the Java web application development company's proficiency in key APIs and libraries like Java Development Kit and third-party libraries. While the development team is not expected to learn all the APIs and every element in the library, they must be aware and have some kind of knowledge of the most crucial ones.
The best Java programmers must also have a profound understanding of Java Virtual Machine or JVM. We look for professionals who understand the JVM system threads, how JVM executes bytecode, the order of execution, and JVM stack restrictions.
Expert developers are skilled in the implementation of object-oriented design patterns and can architect their code effectively in an OO way. It takes experience and expertise to do this well.
Every professional Java website development company should have advanced unit testing skills. This is what sets apart a good from a great developer. We look for Java developer companies that are familiar with a wide range of tools for unit testing, automation testing, integration testing, and performance testing.
In addition to the technical knowledge and expertise just mentioned, we also look for developers who possess a wide range of soft skills. Soft skills are people skills like communication, character, and emotional and social intelligence, among others. These are essential in the workplace as they enable people to navigate their environment, work well with others, perform well, and achieve results. The soft skills required for the top Java developers are:
This includes active listening, the ability to interact with others appropriately, and adapting your communication style to your audience to convey your message in the most user-friendly and concise manner.
As mentioned before, the software industry is ever-changing, and good, successful Java application development companies should always be open and willing to learn new upgrades in technology and keep themselves updated.
A strong work ethic is a requirement in any role and helps strengthen character and individual abilities and nurtures growth and development.
Java can be used for many different things, but not all companies offer the same services. Let's look at some of the essential services the best Java companies must offer.
This is the ability to build fast, secure Java websites for various sectors, including health, retail, telecommunication, retail, and finance, to name a few.
Java Web Application is used to create dynamic, user-friendly websites. Java provides support for web applications through Servlets and JSPs. While static web pages require HTML, dynamic websites and desktop apps will need web application development.
This service allows various businesses to enter the mobile marketplace through excellently designed web and mobile applications, and as such, is a must for the top Java development companies, as it is for mobile app development companies in general.
Using advanced Java framework, this is the process of coding software to automate specific tasks, thereby enhancing productivity and effectiveness of the software development specialists.
The best software development firms should have the ability to customize Java-based apps and websites to fulfill your business goals and requirements.
Top Java developers leverage enterprise-centric development to boost the growth and efficiency of a business.
The process of building high-end websites with the help of Java CMS to cater to organizational growth.
Using advanced framework J2EE to produce scalable, high-end and cost-effective Java applications for various enterprises.
In addition to the must-haves listed above, there are a few more services we look for. We evaluated these supporting Java services that offer full coverage of clients' needs. Each of these additional services is considered a huge bonus for the Java development companies.
This involves the process of migrating and integrating the business platform into a Java-based framework for better future prospects.
Big data is a trillion-dollar industry, as handling a vast amount of data has become close to impossible using traditional data processing software. By learning big data technologies, developers can analyze and extract information from complex data sets and get a leg up on the competition.
Java companies must also ensure the smooth workflow of the Java applications and websites with all-the-time active Java applications and maintenance technical support.
In addition to a wide range of technical skills, the developers must also be proficient in specific tools and platforms, depending on the type of service they're offering. These include:
Java is so much more than just typing lines of code. Top Java developers should have excellent analyzing skills. A proper grasp of the languages and supporting tools associated with Java will help a developer make better decisions as to what technologies, methodologies, and tools will yield the best results on a particular project.
To make our list of Java development companies, we looked at developers that can propose the most creative, efficient, and profitable ways to tackle a problem. This makes not only for a better end product, but also for a more smooth collaboration process.
Experts as such are not enough; a good team dynamic is imperative at the best Java application development companies. Developers must work together to achieve the final goal. This means communicating well, not just to get the job done, but to develop documents that are clear and easy-to-read for users to understand the idea fully.
The top Java developers also tend to provide regular updates on the project. From the beginning, you must work with the team to establish a reporting schedule and a clean line of communication. This should include dates on weekly or monthly reports and updates as well as what channels will be used. This type of system will not only keep you updated but helps keep the team on track and able to respond quickly if you request any changes.
Finally, we look for Java developer companies that operate within industry standards in terms of costs and provide good value for money.
Now that you know more about the industry’s best firms and what criteria we applied to select and rank them, it should be less overwhelming to choose a partner to work with for your Java project. That said, hiring the best Java programmers for your specific needs can take time and patience. What follows is some things to consider before you commit time and money to a specific developer.
Set clear goals at the outset. Think about why you need Java. Write down your specific needs and requirements, so you don't have to spend a fortune on an all-inclusive package with features and services you don't need. When meeting potential Java development companies, clearly communicate these needs and see whether they can customize a package for you.
When looking for Java application development companies, it's worth checking out their past projects to see whether they have worked for a similar client before. If you do not have access to recent and past projects or portfolios, feel free to ask. Remember, all projects are different, so even if a vendor has experience in your industry, focus on those willing to tailor their offerings to your specific needs.
Even if most of the Java developer companies you interview offer the same set of services, they are all different. What you get depends on the team you'll be working with, so a cultural fit is important. Not only must you have a good working relationship, but the operations, processes, and atmosphere should work for you.
Determine your budget before approaching a developer. Once you have a clear indication of the budget you are working with, you can easily narrow down your choices of Java development companies and choose a vendor that not only offers the most value for money but one you can actually afford.