When it comes to Android programming, Kotlin is generally considered better than Java for most modern development. Here’s a clear comparison:
Why Kotlin is Better for Android:
| Aspect | Kotlin | Java |
| Official Support | Officially recommended by Google since 2017 | Still supported, but not the first choice |
| Code Conciseness | Requires less boilerplate code | Verbose and repetitive |
| Null Safety and Reliability | Reduces crash chances with compile-time null checks, safer API handling, and cleaner code, especially when used with Jetpack libraries. | Prone to NullPointerException, relying on manual checks, which increases crash risk in large codebases. |
| Coroutines Support | Built-in support for asynchronous code with coroutines | Needs third-party libraries or verbose callbacks |
| Modern Features | Extension functions, smart casting, sealed classes, etc. | Lacks many modern programming features |
| Community & Libraries | Growing rapidly with strong Jetpack & Android Studio integration | Large legacy codebase but fewer modern updates |
| Interoperability and Migration | Fully interoperable with Java, seamless use in the same project, ideal for gradual migration. | Can access Kotlin libraries, but less commonly used for new Android features due to Kotlin’s dominance. |
| Data Classes | Provides data classes for automatic code generation. | Manual creation of model classes. |
| Lambdas | Supports concise lambda expressions. | Lambda expressions are available. |
| Performance | Faster performance, smaller code size, loads faster on slower devices. | Good performance with bytecode optimization. |
When Java Might Be Preferred:
- You’re maintaining a legacy project built in Java.
- Your team already has deep Java expertise.
- You want to use existing Java libraries without adaptation.
For new Android projects, choose Kotlin unless you have a compelling reason (e.g., legacy constraints) to stick with Java. Kotlin’s modern features, safety, and Google’s support make it the future-proof choice. If you’re working with an existing Java codebase, consider gradually introducing Kotlin, as the two languages interoperate seamlessly.
Kotlin vs Java: Which One Is Better for Android Development?