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What is Android?

Android, the widely popular operating system, is the beating heart behind millions of smartphones and tablets globally. Developed by Google, Android is an open-source platform that powers a diverse range of devices, offering users an intuitive and customizable experience. With its user-friendly interface, Android provides easy access to a plethora of applications through the Google Play Store, catering to every need imaginable. From social media and gaming to productivity and entertainment, Android seamlessly integrates into our daily lives, ensuring that the world is at our fingertips. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a casual user, Android's versatility and accessibility make it a cornerstone of modern mobile technology.

Android Kotlin vs Java: Market Share and Usage Comparison

In the world of Android development, two of the most prominent programming languages are Kotlin and Java. Both are powerful tools for building Android apps, but as technology evolves, Kotlin has quickly gained traction and has even surpassed Java in many ways. In this article, we'll explore the market share of Android Kotlin vs Java, how each language is used in the development world, and which one holds the dominant position in the Android ecosystem.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction: Kotlin vs Java in Android Development
  2. What is Kotlin?
  3. What is Java?
  4. Kotlin vs Java: Market Share in Android Development
    • 1. Kotlin's Rise in Popularity
    • 2. Java’s Long-standing Presence
    • 3. Survey Data: Kotlin vs Java in 2025
    • 4. Developer Preferences and Trends
  5. Advantages of Kotlin Over Java
  6. Advantages of Java Over Kotlin
  7. Which Language is Best for Your Android Project?
  8. Conclusion: Kotlin vs Java - Market Share and Future Trends

1. Introduction: Kotlin vs Java in Android Development

Both Kotlin and Java are popular programming languages in Android development. Java, being one of the oldest and most widely-used programming languages, has a long history in Android development, and it was the primary language used for Android applications before Kotlin came into play. However, since Google announced Kotlin as an official Android language in 2017, Kotlin has rapidly gained popularity for Android development due to its modern features, conciseness, and ease of use.

Let’s take a look at how Kotlin and Java compare in terms of their market share, usage, and developer preferences.

2. What is Kotlin?

Kotlin is a statically-typed programming language developed by JetBrains that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and is fully interoperable with Java. It was officially announced as an Android development language by Google in 2017, and since then, it has seen exponential growth in adoption.

Key Features of Kotlin:

  • Concise and expressive syntax: Kotlin reduces boilerplate code, making it easier and faster to write.
  • Null safety: Kotlin’s type system helps avoid null pointer exceptions, a common issue in Java.
  • Interoperability: Kotlin can seamlessly interact with Java code and libraries.
  • Coroutines: Kotlin supports asynchronous programming via coroutines, which simplify concurrent tasks and background processing.

Since its adoption by Google, Kotlin has quickly become a favorite for Android developers, offering modern features that improve development efficiency and code quality.

3. What is Java?

Java is one of the most popular and widely-used programming languages in the world. It is an object-oriented, class-based language developed by Sun Microsystems (now owned by Oracle). Java has been the primary language for Android development since the inception of the Android operating system.

Key Features of Java:

  • Widely adopted: Java has been around for decades and has a huge ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and tools.
  • Platform-independent: Java’s “write once, run anywhere” philosophy makes it suitable for cross-platform applications.
  • Mature and stable: Java is known for its stability and robust performance in large-scale enterprise applications.
  • Large community support: Java has a vast community, extensive documentation, and a wealth of resources for developers.

Even though Kotlin has gained momentum, Java continues to play an important role in Android development, especially for legacy codebases and large enterprise applications.

4. Kotlin vs Java: Market Share in Android Development

1. Kotlin's Rise in Popularity

Kotlin has witnessed rapid adoption in Android development since its official support by Google in 2017. In 2019, Kotlin was declared the preferred language for Android development by Google, which solidified its position as a leading language in the Android ecosystem.

  • Increased adoption: According to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024, Kotlin is one of the most popular programming languages, with a large portion of Android developers using it for new projects.
  • Growing market share: Kotlin has experienced a significant rise in market share in Android app development. In 2021, Kotlin overtook Java in terms of usage for Android apps, with more than 60% of Android developers using Kotlin, compared to 40% using Java.
  • Google’s backing: As Google strongly supports Kotlin for Android development, more Android development frameworks, libraries, and tools are now Kotlin-first or fully Kotlin-compatible.

2. Java’s Long-standing Presence

Java has been the primary language for Android development for many years. While Kotlin has overtaken Java in terms of new app development, Java still maintains a significant share of the market, especially in legacy projects.

  • Legacy codebases: Many existing Android applications, particularly older ones, are still primarily written in Java. Companies that have established large Java codebases are more likely to continue using Java for maintenance and updates.
  • Enterprise apps: Java remains a popular choice for building enterprise-level applications due to its maturity and the vast array of frameworks and tools available.
  • Popularity in general development: Java is not only used for Android development but also remains one of the most used languages for backend development, desktop apps, and enterprise solutions.

Despite Kotlin’s rapid rise, Java remains a staple in Android development, particularly for large-scale applications that require long-term support.

3. Survey Data: Kotlin vs Java in 2025

According to recent surveys and developer reports, Kotlin has been outpacing Java in Android development:

  • Kotlin holds a dominant 70-75% market share among Android developers, based on developer surveys and industry data in 2024-2025.
  • Java accounts for around 25-30% of Android development, though it remains highly used in legacy codebases and enterprise-level applications.

This shift reflects a growing trend toward adopting Kotlin for new Android projects, largely due to its modern features, efficiency, and official backing by Google.

4. Developer Preferences and Trends

  • Developer Sentiment: Kotlin is preferred by Android developers for its concise and expressive syntax, null safety, and better integration with modern development practices like coroutines.
  • Java’s Legacy: Java continues to be preferred by developers maintaining legacy applications or those working with other Java-based technologies (e.g., backend services).
  • Cross-Platform Potential: Kotlin’s potential for cross-platform development (via Kotlin Multiplatform) is an additional factor that makes it attractive for future projects.

In terms of overall developer sentiment, Kotlin has become the dominant choice for new Android projects, with Java retaining a strong position in legacy and enterprise codebases.

5. Advantages of Kotlin Over Java

  • Concise and Modern Syntax: Kotlin offers a more modern, concise, and readable syntax, which reduces boilerplate code and simplifies development.
  • Null Safety: Kotlin’s type system is designed to eliminate null pointer exceptions, a common source of bugs in Java.
  • Interoperability with Java: Kotlin can easily integrate with Java, making it simple to migrate from Java to Kotlin in existing projects.
  • Coroutines: Kotlin’s support for coroutines makes asynchronous programming easier and more efficient than Java’s traditional callback-based model.

Kotlin’s combination of modern features, null safety, and developer-friendly syntax makes it the go-to choice for many Android developers.

6. Advantages of Java Over Kotlin

  • Maturity: Java is a mature, well-established language with a massive community and an extensive ecosystem of libraries and tools.
  • Platform Independence: Java is not limited to Android and is used across various platforms, including enterprise backends, web applications, and desktop applications.
  • Enterprise Support: Java remains the language of choice for large-scale enterprise applications and systems, providing stability and long-term support.

Java continues to have a dominant position in enterprise systems and legacy Android applications, especially for large-scale projects that require robustness and extensive community support.

7. Which Language is Best for Your Android Project?

  • Use Kotlin: If you are starting a new Android app, Kotlin is the best choice due to its modern features, simplicity, and official support by Google. It offers better performance, easier syntax, and improved developer experience.
  • Use Java: If you are working on an existing Android app with a large Java codebase or are maintaining enterprise-level applications, Java might still be the better option, especially for projects that need long-term stability and extensive support.

For new Android projects, Kotlin is the recommended choice due to its growing popularity, official status, and modern features. However, Java still holds significant importance for legacy codebases and enterprise solutions.

8. Conclusion: Kotlin vs Java – Market Share and Future Trends

The market share between Kotlin and Java in Android development has shifted significantly in favor of Kotlin. As of 2025, Kotlin holds a dominant market share of around 70-75%, while Java accounts for about 25-30%. Kotlin’s concise syntax, null safety, and official backing by Google have contributed to its rise, especially for new Android development.

However, Java continues to be a vital player, especially for legacy Android apps and enterprise-level applications. If you are building a new Android app, Kotlin is the best choice, but if you’re maintaining existing Java-based apps, Java still holds a strong position in the market.

Ultimately, the choice between Kotlin and Java will depend on the specific needs of your project, your team's experience, and the type of app you are developing.