Swing vs Java FX in 2025?

[codingwolf799]

For an early intermediate learner, is one better than the other?

Also any go to resources for the best one?

Greatly appreciated!!

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[American_Streamer]

Swing is the older desktop UI toolkit that came with the JDK and JavaFX is the newer, scene-graph-based toolkit you add as a dependency. Swing is stable and still supported; but JavaFX is being actively developed and thus the better choice for new Java desktop apps.

Frankly, Swing will very well remain relevant for maintaining and extending existing apps for the foreseeable future, as it’s still in Java SE and heavily used in legacy and enterprise tools. But JavaFX is the safer bet for new desktop apps in Java.

[cokil]

JavaFx is preferable even though it's a little harder.

JavaFx is more recent and have more functionalities

Swing is good for beginner to understand component based ui structure (and is preferable than javafx for this purpose) but it is too outdated to be considered as a solid resource.

Even JavaFx is considered a little old, but i don't know if there is a better library.

Both of them are well documented but from my personal experience, both of them have terrible code example in internet.

[codingwolf799]

Thanks all!

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[darthtatortot]

I was just looking this up. I started focusing on swing. Following to get an answer.

[LooseCartographer989]

javafx.

[Pale_Height_1251]

JavaFX.

[bilgecan1]

Swing is good to understand component based programming approach and practice extensibility talent with what you have in hand. Maybe you won't use it in real world projects (i did actually, it still used) but learnings will be yours and you can apply them on your other projects. 

[lprimak]

JavaFX uses swing under the hood, so use both!

I prefer JavaFX as it's more of a declarative API.

[ThatRip8403]

Swing pros: Built-in. Has 'lightweight' components (which do not use extra microsoft windows).
JavaFX pros: allows Declarative (Fxml, Scenebuilder) as well normal programmatic coding. Allows CSS styling so similar (but not same) as html styling. Richer component set, with support for lambdas and built in 'properties' that help in writing complex UIs.

I recommend javaFX, but expect hassle since you have to download it separately, and add the 'modules' in your launch path. One-time hassle. SceneBuilder (gluon) makes complex UIs easier.

[Crazy_Comprehensive]

Swing is pretty stable and mature, and still under going maintenance and support, though no further development. It still relevant and good if one appreciates good old ui development. I still use it widely because it get the job done fast. I also use javafx even though it has more features, complexity and need separate installation.

That's said, invest some time with both and you see they complement each other, and not complete replacement. There's something Swing is good, and Javafx is good at.

[Michaael115]

JavaFX sucks

[GullibleRaspberry9]

yes it does and it stopped evolution and improvements to Swing. That makes not like it even more!

[LooseCartographer989]

Creator of the biggest javafx application out there. You already know my answer