Top 12 Java Open Source Projects on GitHub You Should Explore in 2025
Updated on Dec 06, 2024 | 13 min read | 33.4k views
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Updated on Dec 06, 2024 | 13 min read | 33.4k views
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Imagine you’re a cricketer, starting with basic shots like a straight drive. As you evolve, you start adding your style, making each shot more confident and unique. Over time, it becomes your signature move. That’s what contributing to Java open-source projects on GitHub is like. You begin with existing code, but each change you make adds your touch, helping you grow and develop your skills along the way.
Working on Java projects is valuable, but contributing to open-source on GitHub can boost your chances of landing a job by up to 10 times. Every pull request or bug fix can hone your skills and also enhance your resume. Curious about how Java projects on GitHub work?
Dive into this blog to explore the top 12 open-source Java projects on GitHub that you can explore and learn from!
If you’re a new learner, you must gain hands-on experience before exploring a career in Java programming. The following open-source Java projects on GitHub are designed to help new developers understand core Java concepts and prepare them for more advanced programming challenges.
Here are the top Java open source projects GitHub for beginners.
The Corona-warn app is a public health application that can track and trace COVID-19 exposure. The app uses Bluetooth and anonymous data collection to notify users if they have come in contact with a person with an infection.
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Also Read: Firebase Vs. MongoDB
Elasticsearch is a search and analytics engine used for full-text search, logging, and data analytics. As a part of the ELK (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) stack, Elasticsearch is used to index, search, and analyze large volumes of data.
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Also Read: How to Create Maven Projects?
OkHttp is an efficient HTTP client for Android and Java applications. The tool allows easy handling of network requests, including HTTP/HTTPS connections, WebSocket communication, and APIs.
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RxJava is a reactive programming Java library that makes it easier to work with asynchronous data streams.
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Glide is a library used for Android image loading and caching. Glide helps you load images efficiently and cache them for better performance.
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Having explored a selection of introductory Java projects on GitHub, you can turn your attention to projects suitable for intermediate learners.
If you’re an intermediate Java developer looking to take your skills to the next level, working on real-world Java projects on GitHub is a great way to advance your knowledge.
These projects help you refine your coding abilities, understand best programming practices, and expose you to industry-standard tools and libraries.
Here are the best Java projects on GitHub.
MPAndroidChart is an open-source Android charting library that allows you to create visually appealing, interactive charts for your apps.
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Also Read: HTML Vs XML: Difference Between HTML and XML
Lottie is an open-source library for executing animations in Android, iOS, and the web. Lottie uses JSON data exported from Adobe After Effects to carry out smooth, scalable animations.
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Also Read: An Introduction to Package JSON Scripts in Node.js
EventBus is a tool that makes it easier to send messages between different parts of your Android app without them needing to know about each other directly. This helps to keep your app organized and easier to maintain.
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Also Read: How to Code, Compile and Run Java Projects?
Completed intermediate-level Java projects on GitHub? Explore these advanced projects that will challenge and deepen your Java expertise.
If you are a Java developer looking for challenging projects, these GitHub projects are just for you. These projects will help you refine your coding skills and introduce you to best practices in Java development.
Here’s a list of Java open source projects GitHub for advanced learners.
Mockito is a mocking framework that allows you to create mock objects for unit testing. Mockito can isolate classes and components to test them independently, ensuring an efficient way of writing unit tests for complex systems.
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Java-design-patterns is a repository of design patterns implemented in Java. It covers all classic design patterns and demonstrates their usage in real-world scenarios.
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Also Read: Design Patterns: Singleton in Java
Spring Boot is a Java framework that is used to build production-ready applications. Spring Boot is used to build web and enterprise applications by providing production-ready features like security, logging, and metrics.
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Also Read: What is Full Stack Developer & What are the Most Demanded FSD Skills?
Guava is a Google-developed library that makes Java programming easier. It helps with common tasks like storing data, working with collections, and writing cleaner code. This saves developers time and effort.
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Also Read: 22 Best Java Project Ideas & Topics For Beginners With Source Code 2024
Now that you’ve covered an overview of Java projects on GitHub, let’s explore how to choose the right project for you.
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As a Java developer, the right Java project can help you contribute to GitHub and can significantly impact your learning and career development. Before choosing a project, consider factors like project size, activity level, and how well the project aligns with your skills and interests.
Here are some factors you must consider before choosing a Java project on GitHub.
If you’re a beginner, choose a project that focuses on fundamental concepts like basic Java syntax. If you’re an advanced learner, focus on enterprise-level solutions or specialized areas like Big data or machine learning.
Smaller projects are good for beginners wanting to practice specific Java features. Large and complex projects are a great way to learn new skills if you’re an advanced-level learner.
Projects having an active and supportive community will provide you with the required guidance and help with any issues you face. Projects with contributing guidelines are an indication of organized projects.
Check if the project has recent commits to verify it's active. A project without an update may be abandoned or lacks long-term support. Checking the project discussion forum is the best way to analyze a project’s health.
Check projects with a well-written README document. A project with setup instructions and an overview can help you learn and contribute effectively.
Choose a project that focuses on the areas you want to grow, whether it’s backend web development, mobile apps, or cloud integration. The correct project will give you hands-on experience and help you develop in the desired areas.
If you have a specific career in mind, choose a project that focuses on the field. Contributing to these projects can help you build a portfolio and showcase your expertise to potential employers.
Check the libraries and tools needed for the project. If the project requires new technology, it’s an opportunity to learn new tools while contributing.
Now that you're familiar with the factors to consider when choosing a project, let's explore the common challenges you may face when contributing to Java projects on GitHub.
Contributing to open-source Java projects on GitHub has its advantages, but it also comes with its unique challenges. Problems such as undertaking large code bases can affect your ability to learn and implement the project.
Here are some common challenges you may face while contributing to Java projects on GitHub.
In large projects, understanding how different modules interact, finding areas to contribute, and learning the project’s structure can be challenging. As a beginner, this is often the biggest hurdle when exploring projects on GitHub.
Unclear documentation is one of the most common obstacles you may face when contributing to open-source projects. Without clear guidelines, you can find it difficult to know where to begin or how to follow the project’s workflow.
When the changes you’ve made conflict with those made by other contributors, it leads to merge conflicts. For a new learner, merge conflicts can affect your learning process.
While working on the same section of the code, you may face conflict with other developers. Communicating with them to resolve the issues is a challenging aspect of the contributing process.
If you’re new to open-source contributions, you may receive critical or detailed comments, which can be intimidating. It is necessary to take the feedback constructively.
It can be difficult to find the right issue to work on. You may come across tasks that are too complex or beyond your current skill level.
Here are some practical advice to overcome the challenges.
Begin your contributing process with small issues or bug fixes that don’t require extensive knowledge of the entire codebase.
Understand the contributing guidelines of the project, including how to fork, clone, and create pull requests.
Regularly sync your local branch with the main repository to avoid falling behind.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to the maintainers or the community if you're stuck on any project.
Contributing to open-source takes lots of practice. With each contribution, you’ll become more comfortable with the process and the codebase.
You might be wondering about the career opportunities that follow contributing to Java projects on GitHub. Check the subsequent section for details.
Exploring and contributing to Java projects on GitHub can sharpen your programming skills, gain hands-on experience, and build a strong portfolio. With the tech field constantly evolving, you’d require regular upskilling to position yourself for success in the competitive job market.
To help you stay on top of your game, upGrad offers comprehensive courses in Java programming, where you can gain hands-on experience and learn from industry experts.
Here are some of the top courses offered by upGrad in Java programming.
Do you need help deciding which course to take to advance your career in Java programming? Contact upGrad for personalized counseling, or visit your nearest upGrad Career Centre to start accelerating your future!
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