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Java vs .Net

  • Writer: NNW Tech Solutions
    NNW Tech Solutions
  • 3 days ago
  • 5 min read

Which Tech Titan Should You Bet On?



We’ve had a front row seat to how the tech landscape and the demand for dev skills has shifted over the years. As a tech recruitment team led by three Solutions Architects who’ve spent years in the trenches, we’re always tracking what’s trending, what’s hiring, and how devs are adapting to it all.


One of the most debated topics we keep hearing about? The ongoing battle between Java and .NET.


Both are powerful, longstanding tools in the enterprise world. Both keep evolving and finding new ways to stay relevant. But when it comes to growing your career, building your team, or picking the right stack for a big build, where should you be focusing?


Truth is, there’s no one size fits all answer. Even we don’t all agree, and that’s what makes it so interesting.



Our Take at NNW

 

All three of our directors started out in Java, and it’s still a massive part of our story. Over the years, they’ve added languages like .Net, Python, and JavaScript to their toolkits, but Java’s always been a strong foundation.


Some of us believes in deep focus: pick one language and master it. Become that person who knows all the ins and outs, the quirks, the advanced tricks. Some of us are all about flexibility: stay up to date with what’s hot and make sure your skill set is always evolving with the tech landscape. Others? A bit of both. Start with one and go deep, but don’t be afraid to explore the wider world. Being a well-rounded dev has its benefits too.


And honestly, we see all three approaches out there in the industry too. Companies are hiring specialists for certain roles, but they’re also on the lookout for devs who can cross over between stacks and bring more to the table.



Java: The Enterprise Powerhouse

 

Java’s been a solid player since 1995. It’s the engine behind loads of systems in finance, healthcare, government, and anywhere that needs huge, stable systems. Thanks to its “Write Once, Run Anywhere” model and frameworks like Spring Boot and Hibernate, it’s built for reliability and cross platform strength.


The TIOBE Index (April 2025) still has Java in the top 3 most used languages globally, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s stable, well supported, super flexible, and backed by a massive global community of developers.


With the latest updates in Java 17 and Java 23, things have only got better. Features like the Z Garbage Collector (ZGC) have made a noticeable difference to performance, especially in large scale, cloud native apps. Add to that the continued enhancements to Project Loom, and you’ve got a language that keeps proving its worth.


Plus, Java is still leading in Android development (alongside Kotlin) and it continues to evolve with the times. The pace may be more gradual than some newer stacks, but the improvements are consistent and developer-focused.



.NET: The Microsoft Revival 

 

.NET used to be strictly for Windows devs, but not anymore. Since .NET Core, and now with .NET 6, 7, and 8, it’s gone fully cross platform and open source.


Microsoft’s making serious moves in performance, cloud, and mobile. Tools like ASP.NET Core, .NET MAUI, and tight integration with Azure make it a top choice for modern web and mobile projects. The performance gains in .NET 8 alone have caught the attention of many teams who hadn’t previously considered .NET.


According to Stack Overflow’s 2024 Developer Survey, C#, .NET’s go to language, is among the top 10 most loved by devs. Easy to learn, powerful to use, and backed by an ecosystem that keeps getting better. That love is partly thanks to the polished dev experience .NET provides, especially when paired with Visual Studio and the magic of GitHub Copilot. It’s a strong workflow, especially for cloud native development.


.NET also plays really well in enterprise environments where companies are already committed to Microsoft tools. That tight integration with Office, SharePoint, Teams, and Azure creates a seamless environment for internal apps and big business platforms.



Where We’re Seeing Them in 2025

 

Both Java and .NET are evolving quickly, and the competition between the two is making both platforms better.

 

Java is moving towards more modularisation with Project Jigsaw, which aims to make Java lighter and more flexible. This is crucial for the growing number of IoT and edge computing applications, where lightweight code is essential.

 

.NET is also pushing the envelope with .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI), which is set to replace Xamarin as the go-to for cross-platform development. This could make .NET more attractive to mobile developers.

 

Both are also pushing towards better performance in serverless and cloud environments, so we can expect more optimisations on that front.

 


What the Market’s Telling Us

 

From our work with clients across South Africa, demand for both Java and .NET devs is strong. But the focus shifts slightly by industry:

  • Java’s still a must in banking, insurance, and government spaces. These industries have heavy legacy systems, and they value reliability and stability over trend chasing.

  • .NET’s doing big things in corporate and mid sized companies, especially those building on Microsoft tools. There's been an increase in .NET roles from across sectors like logistics, legal, education, and healthcare.


The JetBrains Developer Ecosystem Report (2024) showed that about 70% of backend devs are using either Java or .NET regularly. That’s a huge chunk of the backend world running on these two.


And more often now, we’re seeing hybrid roles pop up. Clients are looking for devs who can work across stacks or at least speak both languages. If you’re flexible, that’s a serious asset.

If you’re early in your career, our advice? Stay curious. Go deep, but don’t get stuck. Learn one language properly, but don’t be afraid to play around and see what else is out there.

 


So... Java or .NET?

 

There’s no clear winner. It depends on your world:

  • Already deep into Java? Double down on Spring Boot, modularisation, and check out Project Loom. Java is a solid long game.

  • Working in a Microsoft heavy setup? Lean into .NET 8+, Azure, and the MAUI ecosystem. You’ll have everything you need to grow quickly.

  • Just getting started? Choose one and get comfy, but try the other on for size down the line. You never know what might click for you.


Remember, you don’t have to be all in on just one. Plenty of devs use both depending on the project, the team, and the client. Being able to switch contexts is an underrated skill.





References:

Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024 – https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2024/

JetBrains Dev Ecosystem Report 2024 – https://www.jetbrains.com/lp/devecosystem2024/





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— people who don’t just fill roles but drive innovation.


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