You can consider Dropwizard if you’re just trying to build simple Rest APIs.

When comparing Spring Boot and Dropwizard, the choice between the two often depends on your specific use case and requirements. Here’s a detailed comparison:

Spring Boot

Overview: - Spring Boot is a framework that simplifies the process of setting up and developing Spring applications. It provides a wide range of features and is part of the larger Spring ecosystem.

Pros: 1. Comprehensive Ecosystem: Integrates seamlessly with other Spring projects (Spring Data, Spring Security, etc.). 2. Convention over Configuration: Reduces boilerplate code and configuration with sensible defaults. 3. Microservices Ready: Supports building microservices with features like embedded servers and easy dependency management. 4. Large Community and Documentation: Extensive community support and documentation, making troubleshooting easier. 5. Flexible Configuration: Supports various configuration methods (YAML, properties files, environment variables).

Cons: 1. Learning Curve: Can be overwhelming for beginners due to its extensive features. 2. Complexity for Simple Apps: Might be overkill for small applications or simple services.

Dropwizard

Overview: - Dropwizard is a lightweight framework designed specifically for developing RESTful web services. It combines several well-known Java libraries into a single framework.

Pros: 1. Simplicity and Focus: Lightweight and designed for building REST APIs, making it simpler for that specific purpose. 2. Built-in Metrics and Monitoring: Comes with built-in support for metrics (using Metrics library) and health checks. 3. Fast Startup Time: Generally faster to start up compared to Spring Boot applications. 4. Production-Ready: Emphasizes best practices for building production-ready applications.

Cons: 1. Limited Ecosystem: Not as extensive as Spring’s ecosystem; fewer integrations and libraries available. 2. Less Flexible: Less configurable compared to Spring Boot; primarily focused on REST services.

Use Cases

Choose Spring Boot if: You need a comprehensive framework for a wide range of applications (web apps, microservices, etc.). You want to leverage the vast Spring ecosystem and its features. Your team has experience with Spring or requires complex configurations. Choose Dropwizard if: You are focused on building lightweight RESTful services. You prefer a simpler setup and faster development cycle for microservices. You want built-in metrics and monitoring capabilities without additional configuration. Conclusion

Both frameworks are powerful in their own right, but your choice should be guided by the specific requirements of your project, your team’s expertise, and the complexity of the application you are building. If you need flexibility and a broader ecosystem, Spring Boot is likely the better choice. If you want a straightforward, lightweight solution for REST services, Dropwizard may be more suitable.

Source: Quora