What is the difference between Vaadin's Swing Modernization Toolkit and Webswing?

Webswing mirrors your Swing UI as a rendered image streamed to the browser. Vaadin goes further: you can run your Swing app in the browser and progressively replace Swing screens with native, accessible, responsive web views — all written in Java. The end result is a true modern web application with real HTML components, not a desktop app streamed to a browser canvas.

Do I need to learn JavaScript to migrate from Java Swing to a web application?

No. Vaadin lets your existing Java team build modern web UIs entirely in Java. There is no need to learn JavaScript, React, TypeScript, or any frontend framework. Your developers can start contributing to the new web views immediately using their current Java skills.

Swing to web today

Q: How long does a Swing to web migration take?

The timeline depends on the size and complexity of your application, but the key advantage of Vaadin's approach is that you don't have to wait. You can run your existing Swing app in the browser on day one and then modernize individual views incrementally over weeks or months — without a risky big-bang rewrite or feature freeze.

Q: Is Java Swing deprecated?

Java Swing is not officially deprecated by Oracle, but it is no longer under active development. It receives only critical bug fixes and security patches. The developer ecosystem has shifted to web-based frameworks, making it increasingly difficult to hire Swing developers and keep up with modern user expectations like browser access, mobile support, and accessibility compliance.

Modernize at your own pace

Run your existing Java Swing app in the browser without a risky big-bang rewrite. Modernize view by view, reusing your Java code and team. No JavaScript required.

Discuss your Swing app

Java Swing application running in a modern web browser with Vaadin

Slow delivery

Desktop-first architecture slows feature work. Packaging, installers, and per-machine updates add overhead to every release.

End-user expectations

Users expect web access and mobile support. They don't want to install desktop clients or wait for IT to update their machines.

Hiring and retention risk

Finding developers with Swing experience is hard. Your best people want to work with modern web technologies.

Operational overhead

Desktop installs, per-machine updates, Java runtime dependencies, and limited scalability all add cost and complexity you shouldn't have to manage.

Security and compliance pressure

Desktop clients are harder to govern and patch. Centralized browser access makes updates and policy enforcement easier, with less endpoint risk.

Strategic risk

The longer you stay on Swing, the more expensive any future change becomes—whether that's hiring, migrating, or maintaining what you have.

Swing Modernization Toolkit - Vaadin white paper

Download the Complete Swing Modernization Guide

A practical, low-risk path from desktop Swing to modern web UI, without a big-bang rewrite.

Swing app deployed as a web application accessible via URL

1. Your Swing app in browser, today

Put the current Swing app behind a URL so users can access it like any web app.

Deploy once, access from anywhere. No more packaging desktop clients, handling per-machine updates, or managing Java installs on user devices.

Gradual migration replacing Swing views with Vaadin web views in Java

2. Modernize at your pace

Gradually replace Swing screens with new web views built entirely in Java.

Your current developers can build modern web UIs without learning JavaScript, React, or npm, and without hiring a separate frontend team. Keep everything in Java.

Fully modernized web application after completing Swing to web migration

3. Complete modernization

Over time, more of the UI moves to the web until Swing is no longer needed.

No big-bang cutover. No parallel system. No frozen development.

Key capabilities

Run your existing Java Swing application in the browser
Add new web-based views built in Java with Vaadin, alongside existing Swing UI
Automatically migrate Swing views and workflows to a modern web stack
Use drop-in implementations for common Swing/AWT behaviors so the app works well on the web and supports embedded Vaadin views

Included in your subscription

Support credits (40) for expert help and guidance
Hotfixes when you need them
Expert chat for quick questions
Optional add-on: Vaadin Foundations consulting

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a Java Swing application in a web browser?

Yes. Vaadin's Swing Modernization Toolkit lets you deploy your existing Swing application behind a URL so users can access it from any browser — no desktop install required.

What is the difference between Vaadin's Swing toolkit and Webswing?

Webswing mirrors your Swing UI as a rendered image in the browser. Vaadin goes further: you can run your Swing app in the browser and progressively replace Swing screens with native, accessible web views — all written in Java. The end result is a true modern web application, not a desktop app streamed to a browser.

Do I need to learn JavaScript to migrate from Swing to web?

No. Vaadin lets your team build modern web UIs entirely in Java. Your existing developers can contribute immediately without learning JavaScript, React, or any frontend framework.

How long does a Swing to web migration take?

It depends on the size of your application, but the key advantage of Vaadin's approach is that you don't have to wait. You can run your Swing app in the browser on day one and modernize views incrementally over weeks or months.

Is Java Swing deprecated?

Java Swing is not officially deprecated, but Oracle is no longer actively developing it. It receives only bug fixes and security patches. The developer ecosystem has moved to web-based frameworks, making it increasingly difficult to hire and retain Swing developers.

What is the best Java Swing alternative for web applications?

For Java teams, Vaadin Flow is the most natural migration path. It lets you write web UIs in 100% Java, provides 50+ enterprise-grade UI components, and offers a dedicated Swing Modernization Toolkit for incremental migration.