Finding the best Apache Struts development firms a priority? Top Apache Struts development companies offering international services to their clients are listed below. Firms of various sizes regularly use the top Apache Struts development companies shown on Software Outsourcing Journal. You may filter your search results by quality of portfolio, price of services, number of pleased clients, reputation in the field, and more.
Apache Struts has been a cornerstone of enterprise Java web development for more than two decades. Banks, insurers, government agencies, and large corporations still run mission-critical portals and back-office systems built on it. Keeping those applications secure, stable, and up to date, or modernizing them for the future, requires specialists who understand both Struts and the wider Java ecosystem.
That is why many organizations partner with the top Apache Struts development companies to build, maintain, secure, and migrate their applications. In this guide, Software Outsourcing Journal explains what Apache Struts development companies do, the core services they offer, common use cases, typical costs, and how to choose the right partner.
What Does an Apache Struts Development Company Do?
Apache Struts is an open-source framework for building Java web applications, maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern, separating business logic, data, and presentation to keep large applications organized. The original Struts 1 reached end of life in 2013, while Struts 2, built on the WebWork framework, remains actively maintained. An Apache Struts development company uses this framework and related Java technologies to build and support enterprise web software.
Build and maintain enterprise Java web applications
Apache Struts development companies build and support large Java web applications such as customer portals, intranets, and transaction systems. They work with Struts 2 features like actions, interceptors, OGNL, and result types, and combine them with Java technologies such as Spring, Hibernate, and JSP to deliver structured, maintainable systems.
Connect applications with business systems and APIs
Enterprise applications rarely stand alone. Struts developers integrate applications with databases like Oracle, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL, as well as ERPs, CRMs, payment systems, identity providers, and legacy mainframe services. They also expose REST APIs so older Struts systems can work with modern web and mobile front ends.
Manage security, upgrades, and modernization
Many Struts applications run on outdated versions with known vulnerabilities. Experienced Struts teams apply security patches, upgrade to supported Struts 2 releases and newer Java versions, deploy applications on application servers like Tomcat, WildFly, or WebLogic, and help organizations plan long-term modernization strategies.
Key Apache Struts Development Services
The top Apache Struts development companies cover the full application lifecycle. These are the core services to look for.
Custom Struts 2 Application Development
Some organizations still build new modules or applications with Struts 2, especially when they need consistency with existing systems. Struts companies design MVC architectures, build secure forms and workflows, implement validation and role-based access, and integrate with Spring and Hibernate for clean, testable code.
Legacy Struts Maintenance and Security Hardening
Security is the most critical concern for Struts applications. Vulnerabilities in outdated versions have been exploited in high-profile incidents, including the 2017 Equifax data breach. Struts companies audit applications for known CVEs, apply patches, harden configurations, remove risky features, and keep dependencies up to date to reduce exposure.
Struts Migration and Modernization
Many businesses want to move away from aging Struts 1 or early Struts 2 applications. Struts companies plan and execute migrations to the latest Struts 2 release, or to modern frameworks such as Spring Boot and Spring MVC, often paired with React or Angular front ends. A phased approach keeps systems running while the codebase is gradually modernized.
Integration, Performance Optimization, and Support
Struts teams improve application performance through database tuning, caching, session management, and server configuration. They also build APIs and integrations that connect Struts systems with cloud services and modern applications, and provide ongoing support with defined response times for business-critical systems.
Apache Struts Development Use Cases
Apache Struts is most common in large, long-running enterprise environments. Here are the use cases where Struts expertise delivers the most value.
Banking and insurance systems
Financial institutions rely on Struts-based applications for online banking portals, loan processing, policy management, and claims handling. These systems require strict security, high availability, and careful change management, which makes experienced Struts partners essential.
Government and public sector portals
Many government agencies run citizen portals, licensing systems, tax applications, and case management tools built with Struts. Development partners help keep these systems secure and compliant while planning modernization within public-sector budgets and timelines.
Enterprise portals and intranets
Large companies use Struts applications for employee portals, HR systems, document management, and internal workflow tools. Struts specialists maintain these platforms, add new features, and integrate them with modern identity, collaboration, and cloud services.
E-commerce, ERP, and back-office applications
Struts powers order management systems, supplier portals, inventory tools, and reporting dashboards in industries such as retail, logistics, telecommunications, and manufacturing. Development partners keep these systems running smoothly and connect them to newer e-commerce and analytics platforms.
How We Evaluate Top Apache Struts Development Companies
At Software Outsourcing Journal, we assess Apache Struts development companies using four core criteria. You can apply the same framework when reviewing vendors yourself.
| Criteria | What we look for |
|---|---|
| Relevant projects and client references | Proven Struts maintenance, upgrade, or migration projects, measurable results, and verifiable client reviews. |
| Struts, Java, and integration expertise | Deep knowledge of Struts 1 and Struts 2, Spring, Hibernate, Java EE or Jakarta EE, and enterprise integrations. |
| Security, migration, and production readiness | Strong vulnerability management, safe migration strategies, automated testing, and experience with critical systems. |
| Pricing transparency and ongoing support | Clear estimates by phase and role, realistic timelines, and defined maintenance plans and SLAs. |
Relevant projects and client references
We prioritize companies with real experience supporting Struts applications in production. Strong candidates share detailed case studies, such as patching critical vulnerabilities, upgrading from Struts 1 to Struts 2, or migrating to Spring Boot without downtime, and provide client references we can verify on independent review platforms.
Struts, Java, and integration expertise
Because many Struts systems are 10 to 20 years old, we look for engineers who understand both legacy and modern Java. That includes Struts configuration, interceptors, and tag libraries, as well as Spring, Hibernate, Maven or Gradle, application servers, and integration with databases, ERPs, and web services.
Security, migration, and production readiness
We check whether vendors monitor Apache security bulletins, use dependency scanning tools such as OWASP Dependency-Check, and follow secure coding practices. For migrations, we look for structured approaches with code analysis, automated regression testing, and phased rollouts that protect business continuity.
Pricing transparency and ongoing support
The best partners explain costs clearly before work begins and avoid hidden fees. They also offer reliable support for business-critical systems, including emergency security patching, bug fixes, version upgrades, and performance monitoring.
How Much Does Apache Struts Development Cost?
Apache Struts development typically costs from around $10,000 for a security audit or small update to $300,000 or more for a full enterprise modernization. The final price depends on the size and age of the codebase, the type of work, integrations, and team location. The figures below are approximate market ranges, so always confirm with detailed vendor quotes.
Pricing models and project scope
Most Apache Struts development companies offer three engagement models:
- Fixed price: best for clearly defined work, such as a security audit, a version upgrade, or a specific new module.
- Time and materials: you pay for actual hours worked, ideal for legacy systems where hidden issues often appear during the work.
- Dedicated team: a monthly fee for full-time Java and Struts developers who maintain and evolve your systems.
| Project scope | Typical timeline | Approximate cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Security audit, patching, or small feature update | 2–8 weeks | $10,000–$40,000 |
| Struts version upgrade or new application module | 2–6 months | $40,000–$120,000 |
| Full migration to Spring Boot or enterprise modernization | 6–18+ months | $120,000–$300,000+ |
Hourly rates for Apache Struts and Java developers vary by region. As a rough guide, expect about $25–$50 per hour in South and Southeast Asia, $40–$80 in Eastern Europe and Latin America, and $100–$180 in North America and Western Europe. Engineers with deep legacy Struts experience may charge a premium.
Key cost drivers
- Codebase size and age: large, older applications with little documentation take longer to analyze and change.
- Struts version: Struts 1 systems usually require more work to secure or migrate than recent Struts 2 applications.
- Test coverage: applications without automated tests need extra regression testing to avoid breaking existing features.
- Number of integrations: each connection to databases, ERPs, mainframes, or third-party services adds complexity.
- Migration target: moving to Spring Boot with a new front end costs more than upgrading within Struts 2.
- Security and compliance: PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX, or government security standards add audit and documentation work.
Hosting, infrastructure, and maintenance costs
Development is only part of the total budget. Struts applications also incur ongoing costs:
- Application servers and hosting: on-premises servers, cloud instances, or managed platforms, plus commercial application server licenses such as WebLogic or WebSphere if used.
- Databases and services: enterprise databases, storage, backups, monitoring, and security tools add recurring fees.
- Java runtime support: some organizations pay for commercial Java support from vendors like Oracle, Red Hat, or Azul.
- Maintenance: plan roughly 15–25% of the initial build cost per year for patches, upgrades, bug fixes, and support. Legacy systems often sit at the higher end of this range.
Running an unsupported Struts version is one of the biggest hidden costs, because a single unpatched vulnerability can lead to a serious breach.
How to Choose an Apache Struts Development Partner
The right partner can keep your critical systems secure and help you modernize safely, while the wrong one can introduce risk into applications your business depends on. Follow these four steps.
Define requirements and success criteria
Before contacting vendors, decide whether you need maintenance, security hardening, an upgrade, new features, or a full migration. Document your current Struts and Java versions, integrations, and known issues. Set measurable success criteria, such as zero critical vulnerabilities, migration deadline, uptime, or performance targets.
Validate the proposed technical team
Ask exactly who will work on your project and review their experience with your Struts version and related Java technologies. A technical interview, code review, or migration plan walkthrough shows whether the team understands legacy code, security risks, and modern alternatives. Check the balance of senior and junior developers assigned to you.
Confirm data privacy, IP ownership, and handover
Struts applications often handle sensitive financial, personal, or government data. Confirm how the vendor accesses your systems, protects data, and follows your security policies, and sign an NDA before sharing source code. Your contract should state that you own all code, documentation, and migration artifacts, with full knowledge transfer at the end of the engagement.
Start with a scoped pilot
Rather than committing to a large contract immediately, start with a small, well-defined pilot, such as a code and security audit, a single module upgrade, or a migration proof of concept. A pilot of a few weeks reveals the vendor’s technical depth, communication, and reliability before you scale up the partnership.
| Vendor checklist | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Struts experience | Which Struts versions have you worked with, and what upgrade or migration projects have you completed? |
| Security | How do you track Struts vulnerabilities and how quickly can you apply critical patches? |
| Migration approach | How do you modernize legacy applications without disrupting daily operations? |
| Testing | How do you prevent regressions in applications with little or no automated test coverage? |
| Ownership | Will we own all source code, documentation, and migration artifacts? |
| Support | What do your maintenance plans, emergency response times, and SLAs include? |
FAQs
Is Apache Struts free to use?
Yes. Apache Struts is open source under the Apache License 2.0 and is free to use for commercial projects. Your main costs come from development and maintenance work, hosting, application server or Java support licenses if needed, and security management.
How long does Apache Struts development take?
A security audit or small update usually takes 2–8 weeks. A version upgrade or new module often takes 2–6 months, while a full migration to a modern framework can take 6–18 months or longer, depending on the size of the codebase and the number of integrations.
Apache Struts vs. Spring MVC: which should you choose?
Both are Java MVC frameworks, but they serve different needs today. Apache Struts 2 is mainly used to maintain and extend existing enterprise applications. Spring MVC, especially with Spring Boot, is the more common choice for new Java web projects thanks to its large ecosystem, active community, and strong support for REST APIs, microservices, and cloud deployment.
If you already run a stable Struts 2 application, upgrading and securing it may be the most cost-effective option. If you are starting a new project or your Struts application is outdated, migrating to Spring Boot is often the better long-term investment.
Can Apache Struts integrate with existing business systems?
Yes. Struts applications can integrate with databases, ERPs, CRMs, identity providers, and legacy systems through JDBC, Hibernate, SOAP and REST web services, and message queues. Struts also works well with Spring for dependency injection and transaction management, so it can connect to modern APIs and cloud services without a complete rewrite.
Conclusion
Apache Struts still supports critical enterprise systems in banking, government, insurance, and many other industries. Keeping these applications secure and reliable, or modernizing them for the future, requires partners with deep Java experience, strong security discipline, and a careful approach to change.
When comparing the top Apache Struts development companies, focus on real maintenance and migration experience, Struts and Java expertise, security practices, testing strategies, and transparent pricing. Start with a clearly scoped pilot, such as a security audit, measure results against your goals, and scale the partnership with confidence.
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