Skip to content

Maven vs Gradle

Comparision

Aspect Maven Gradle
Configuration Style Uses XML (pom.xml). Uses Groovy/Kotlin DSL (build.gradle).
Performance Slower, especially for large projects (no build caching). Faster with incremental builds and caching.
Flexibility Follows convention over configuration, less customizable. Highly customizable, supports custom build logic.
Dependency Management Maven Central and custom repositories. Supports Maven Central, JCenter, Ivy, and custom repositories.
Plugin System Pre-built Maven plugins (strict lifecycle integration). More flexible plugins with multiple custom task types.
Build Output Produces JARs, WARs, and other artifacts. Produces JARs, WARs, and custom artifacts more easily.
Multi-Project Support Good for enterprise projects with structured multi-module builds. Excellent for multi-module projects, especially in complex setups.
Integration with CI/CD Easily integrates with Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Bamboo. Same level of integration with Jenkins, CircleCI, GitHub Actions.
Use in Android Development Not suitable. Preferred build tool for Android development.
Incremental Builds Not supported. Supported, resulting in faster builds.
Offline Mode Uses the local Maven repository (~/.m2/repository). Uses a local cache (~/.gradle/caches/) and has offline mode.
Version Control of Build Tool Maven Wrapper (mvnw) ensures consistent versions. Gradle Wrapper (gradlew) ensures consistent versions.
Preferred Projects Enterprise Java applications with well-defined standards. Android apps, complex and large projects with custom build requirements.

When to Use Gradle ?

  • For Android development gradle is the default and recommended build tool.
  • When you need fine-grained control over the build process for Large and complex projects.
  • Gradle excels with multi-module projects that require custom dependencies and task chaining.
  • Use gradle when performance is critical, as it got incremental builds caching, so faster builds.
  • When your project needs custom workflows and builds, tasks beyond standard lifecycles.

When to Use Maven ?

  • Maven works well for standard enterprise projects that adhere to established conventions.
  • Maven’s default conventions are great for straightforward builds for simple projects.
  • Maven’s dependency resolution and management is robust for large enterprise projects with heavy dependency management.
  • When you need reproducible builds with a focus on consistency and stability helpful with team projects with strict versioning.
  • *Maven is easier to learn if you are already familiar with XML based configurations.

Advantages of Gradle

  • Faster builds due to incremental builds and caching.
  • Highly customizable with task-based dependencies so flexible.
  • The preferred tool for Android projects.
  • Runs independent tasks in parallel, reducing build times.
  • Uses Groovy or Kotlin DSL for more concise configurations.

Advantages of Maven

  • Follows standard conventions for project structure and lifecycle, making it easy to start.
  • Great for large projects that rely on multiple libraries for robust dependency management.
  • Well-suited for enterprise level Java applications with multiple modules.
  • Comes with many pre-built plugins for common tasks with rich plugin eco system.
  • Standardized approach ensures that all builds behave similarly across environments so strong consistency.

Which Tool is Preferred?

  • For Android Development Gradle is the clear winner (it’s required by Android Studio).
  • For Large, Complex Builds Gradle is better due to its flexibility and performance.
  • For Simple, Standard Builds Maven is preferred because it requires minimal configuration.
  • For Enterprise Applications Maven is usually chosen for its standardization and ease of dependency management.
  • For Projects Needing Speed Gradle is preferred because of its incremental builds and caching features.

Where Gradle Maven Fit ?

Component Role Gradle / Maven Interaction
JDK (Java Development Kit) Provides tools to compile Java code into bytecode. Gradle and Maven use the JDK compiler (javac) to build code.
JVM (Java Virtual Machine) Runs the compiled bytecode (.class files). Gradle/Maven can execute unit tests and applications on the JVM.
JRE (Java Runtime Environment) Provides the libraries required to run Java applications. The output artifacts (e.g., JAR/WAR) produced by Gradle/Maven require the JRE to run.
  • Both Gradle and Maven use the JDK to compile code, JVM to run tests, and JRE for running packaged artifacts (like JARs).
  • These tools do not replace the JDK, JVM, or JRE, instead, they automate the processes involved in building, testing, and packaging Java applications.

Summary

  • Use Maven if:

    • Your project is enterprise-level or follows standard Java conventions.
    • You want a simpler setup with a standardized approach.
    • Your team is familiar with XML-based configurations.

  • Use Gradle if:

    • You need faster builds and incremental caching.
    • Your project is an Android app or involves complex custom builds.
    • You want fine-grained control over the build lifecycle.

In conclusion, both Maven and Gradle are excellent tools, and the choice depends on the project requirements. For enterprise applications, Maven remains a solid choice. For Android apps, large multi-module projects, or performance-critical builds, Gradle stands out as the preferred option.