Google Web Toolkit

Visit site Alternatives

Score7.3

Rank#3 of 28

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onBrowser extension, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows

Summary

Google Web Toolkit (GWT) is an open-source Java framework for building AJAX web applications. Its compiler converts Java applications into browser-compatible JavaScript and HTML for deployment, while the SDK provides core libraries and the compiler. Deferred binding generates browser-specific code at compile time, and the compiler can produce separate application versions for different browsers and languages. Applications can communicate asynchronously with servers through GWT RPC or JSON. Developers can use the Eclipse plugin for IDE support and SDK installation. The developer guide covers deployment to Google App Engine, unit testing with JUnit, and code coverage with Emma; documentation also includes SafeHtml guidance for XSS prevention and GWT RPC XSRF protection. GWT is available under the Apache 2.0 license for non-commercial, commercial, and enterprise applications. Version 2.13.1 is listed for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Development mode and the compiler periodically send a timestamp ID and product version to Google; Google says it does not log cookies or personal information. The webAppCreator utility has been deprecated since version 2.11.0.

Who it is for

GWT suits Java developers building AJAX web applications who want compiled browser code and asynchronous server communication. Its Apache 2.0 license covers non-commercial, commercial, and enterprise applications.

What is good

Free under the Apache 2.0 license
Compiles Java applications to JavaScript and HTML
Supports asynchronous server communication through GWT RPC or JSON
Compiler can generate versions for browsers and languages
Documentation includes security guidance

What to know first

webAppCreator has been deprecated since version 2.11.0
Development mode and compiler periodically send product and timestamp data

Verdict

GWT provides Java-based tools for producing browser applications, with compiler, SDK, and developer guidance. Users should note the deprecated webAppCreator utility and the stated telemetry behavior.

Google Web Toolkit plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free Open source · Apache 2.0 license gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on code transpilers

Free plan: Yesgwtproject.org
CLI access: Yesgwtproject.org
API access: Yesgwtproject.org
Conversion mode: source-to-sourcegwtproject.org

Facts

Purpose: Google Web Toolkit is an open source Java software development framework for writing AJAX applications.support.google.com · 30 Sept 2026
Compilation: The GWT compiler translates Java applications into browser-compliant JavaScript and HTML for production deployment.support.google.com · 30 Sept 2026
Core SDK: The GWT SDK contains the core libraries and compiler needed to write web applications.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
IDE integration: The GWT Eclipse Plugin provides IDE support for GWT projects and includes Eclipse tools with an option to install the SDK.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Latest release: Version 2.13.1 was built on June 19, 2026.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Supported desktop systems: The version 2.13.1 package is listed for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Deferred binding: Deferred binding generates browser-specific code at compile time so only the needed version is downloaded and executed.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Internationalization: GWT's compiler can generate separate application versions for different browsers and languages.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Server communication: GWT supports asynchronous server communication using GWT RPC or JSON.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Google App Engine: The developer guide includes instructions for deploying a GWT application to Google App Engine.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Testing: The developer guide includes unit testing with JUnit and code coverage with Emma.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Security guidance: GWT documentation provides SafeHtml guidance for XSS prevention and GWT RPC XSRF protection.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Telemetry: GWT development mode and compiler periodically send a timestamp ID and product version to Google, while Google says it does not log cookies or personal information.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Support: Questions can be posted to the GWT developer discussion group on Google Groups, where the engineering and operations team participates.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Commercial use: GWT is available for non-commercial, commercial, and enterprise applications under the Apache 2.0 license.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026
Current limitation: Starting with GWT 2.11.0, the webAppCreator utility is deprecated.gwtproject.org · 30 Sept 2026