Hibernate is Not a Web Framework!

The other day, I was looking for a list of the top 10 Java web frameworks, and every blog I stumbled upon included Hibernate in the list.

And that got me thinking—Hibernate isn’t a web framework! Yet, many people (and blog posts) mix it up.

So, I figured it's time to clear the air on what makes a web framework, what’s just a module, and what belongs in a completely different category like ORM or e-commerce platforms.

Let's break it down!

1. Web Frameworks

A web framework is something that helps you run a web application—it provides a structured way to handle requests, responses, routing, and sometimes even templating.

It’s what actually powers the web app.

Examples of Java Web Frameworks:

Framework	Key Features	Best Use Case
Spring Boot	Embedded server, auto-config, microservices-friendly	General web apps, microservices
Jakarta EE	Standardized Java EE stack, JAX-RS, Servlets	Large-scale enterprise apps
Quarkus	Cloud-native, GraalVM, fast startup	Cloud apps, serverless
Micronaut	Lightweight, cloud-native, fast startup	Microservices, serverless
Grails	Convention-based, GORM, built on Spring Boot	Rapid development
Play!	Asynchronous, reactive programming	High-performance apps
Dropwizard	Microservices-focused, lightweight	Quick REST APIs
Vert.x	Event-driven, reactive, polyglot	High-performance web apps
Vaadin	Full-stack, UI components, server-side rendering	Business apps with UI

These frameworks help you build and run a web application.

If it doesn't help serve requests directly, it’s not a web framework!

2. Web Modules: Not Standalone Frameworks

A web module is a part of a framework, but it doesn’t run the whole show.

Instead, it provides additional capabilities like handling MVC (Model-View-Controller) patterns.

Example:

Module	Key Features	Works With
Spring MVC	DispatcherServlet, MVC pattern, Spring integration	Spring / Spring Boot

Spring MVC alone doesn’t run a web app—it’s just one piece of the puzzle inside Spring Boot or Spring Framework.

If it needs another framework to function, it’s a module, not a full web framework.

3. ORM Frameworks: Not for Web, but for Databases

ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) frameworks help with database interactions, not with serving web requests.

They allow developers to work with Java objects instead of SQL queries.

Example:

Framework	Key Features	Best Use Case
Hibernate	Object-relational mapping, automatic table generation	Database-heavy applications

You can’t serve a GET request with Hibernate.

But if you want to map your Java objects to database tables and avoid writing raw SQL, Hibernate is your best friend.

Hibernate doesn't handle web requests.

It’s a database tool, not a web framework.

4. E-Commerce Platforms: Not Web Frameworks Either

E-commerce platforms are specialized frameworks built specifically to power online stores and commerce applications.

Example:

Platform	Key Features	Best Use Case
ATG (Oracle Commerce)	Enterprise e-commerce, personalization	Large-scale commerce sites

ATG is built for selling products online.

It’s not a generic web framework.

Stop Calling Hibernate a Web Framework!

So next time you see Hibernate in a “Top 10 Java Web Frameworks” list, you know better.

It won’t handle requests or serve a webpage—but it will make your database interactions smoother.

If you’re building a web app, stick to Spring Boot, Quarkus, Play!, or Jakarta EE.

If you need database support, bring in Hibernate—but don’t expect it to serve a single HTTP request.

What’s the weirdest misclassification you’ve seen in Java frameworks? Drop it in the comments!

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