If you’ve ever managed a Java Swing or JavaFX application, you’ve probably asked yourself this question: How do I get this thing into a browser without rewriting the whole app?

For years, the answer was Java Web Start, applets, or painful workarounds. But nowadays, none of those cut it anymore. That’s where Webswing comes in. A solution that lets you run your existing Java desktop apps directly in the browser, with zero code modifications.

Yes, really. No rewriting. No packaging for every OS. No client-side installations. Just open the browser, log in, and run your app.


Why Running Java in the Browser Is Better

Java is all around us, never left and in the upcoming future really will. It just got harder to deploy and run across plenty of new platforms and devices. Swing and JavaFX apps still run critical workflows across finance, healthcare, manufacturing, government and beyond. But what changed is the environment. Users expect browser-based tools, not desktop installers.

Meanwhile, Java Web Start is gone, applets are unsupported, and most browsers don’t even allow Java plugins anymore.


So what’s the Java Web Start alternative?

In the long term, your answer might be a rewrite. But there are many more effective ways to get this done sooner and at better costs. Webswing is a lightweight server that wraps your existing .jar file and runs it as a web app, fully interactive, available in any modern browser. All your UI logic stays on the server, while the browser acts as a window to your app. No plugins. No Java on the client. No deployment chaos.


Who Is it For?

Webswing is ideal if you:

  • Maintain a legacy Swing, JavaFX, SWT or Netbeans desktop application
  • Are looking for a Java Web Start alternative
  • Want to deliver your app via the browser securely
  • Need to modernize your UI stack without a full rewrite
  • Wish to integrate Java apps into browser-based workflows

And if you want to see it in action, check out our Webswing Online Demo.


How Webswing Works

  1. You set up your Java application in Webswing’s server config [Admin Console]
  2. You point your browser to the server.
  3. Webswing streams the UI, handles input, and displays your app in HTML5 canvas.

Everything else - app logic, Java runtime, memory stays on your backend.

Curious about the inner workings? Take a look at the architecture documentation.


What About Scaling?

With Webswing you can benefit over traditional deployment:

  • 🔒 Protects your application’s codebase
  • 🚀 Simple distribution of application updates
  • 🎯 Control over Java runtime version
  • 🔐 No client-side Java required = reduced security risks
  • 🌐 Faster backend connections (no VPNs or local installs)
  • 🎫 Centralised user access and session management
  • ☁️ Infrastructure agnostic – run it on your own hardware, cloud, containers, or VMs
  • 🌍 Browser agnostic – runs in all modern browsers
  • 🧱 Framework agnostic – integrate with any frontend web framework when needed
  • ☕ JVM agnostic – supports Java 8, 11, 17, and 21, and works with OpenJDK

That’s why many of our customers use Webswing not just for modernising apps, but for rolling them out at scale across distributed teams.


Does It Replace Java Web Start?

Yes and it does even more. The pain of losing Java Web Start was real. Many teams still struggle to migrate away. Webswing gives you the same convenience (and more):

  • Click-to-run from browser
  • No install required
  • Centralized version control
  • Secure remote sessions

We also break it down fully in this post: Webswing: Your Java Web Start Alternative


You want to push your Swing GUIs even further?

Running your legacy java desktop app, whether it is swing, javaFX, netbeans or SWT in Webswing is just a start. If you really want to leverage the mightiness of Webswing check out our Modernisation Framework. It lets you combine multiple approaches how to combine your application with new front-end framework, while maintaining the single codebase.


Ready to Try It?

Webswing is to try and test with your own app. With providing full evaluation version, it has never been easier to try it out at no costs

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