Apache Ant vs. Gradle Build Tool (Open Source)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Apache Ant
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
Apache Ant is a Java library and command-line tool whose mission is to drive processes described in build files as targets and extension points dependent upon each other. The main known usage of Ant is the build of Java applications. Ant supplies a number of built-in tasks allowing to compile, assemble, test and run Java applications.N/A
Gradle Build Tool (Open Source)
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
Gradle is an open source build system. Gradle boasts a rich API and mature ecosystem of plugins and integrations to support automation. Users can model, integrate and systematize the delivery of software from end to end.
$0
per month
Pricing
Apache AntGradle Build Tool (Open Source)
Editions & Modules
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Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apache AntGradle Build Tool (Open Source)
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Apache AntGradle Build Tool (Open Source)
Considered Both Products
Apache Ant

No answer on this topic

Gradle Build Tool (Open Source)
Top Pros

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Top Cons

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Best Alternatives
Apache AntGradle Build Tool (Open Source)
Small Businesses
GitLab
GitLab
Score 8.9 out of 10
GitLab
GitLab
Score 8.9 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
GitLab
GitLab
Score 8.9 out of 10
GitLab
GitLab
Score 8.9 out of 10
Enterprises
GitLab
GitLab
Score 8.9 out of 10
GitLab
GitLab
Score 8.9 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Apache AntGradle Build Tool (Open Source)
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(1 ratings)
9.0
(12 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
3.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(4 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apache AntGradle Build Tool (Open Source)
Likelihood to Recommend
Apache
Apache Ant is suitable for the scenarios where central repository is not required for your developed application and It has a great architecture with less complexity and the situation where automated configuration is needed then Apache Ant is not suitable for that use case. Apache Ant is easy to use tool.
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Open Source
Gradle Build Tool is more suitable with the Java projects. It has helped us to automate the build part of the devops cycle. Its configuration and Groovy script is really easy to understand and can be implemented with ease. It can be used both for automation and manual buids of the projects. Gradle Build Tool is easy to use and easy to integrate.
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Pros
Apache
  • Support non java application development as well
  • Flexible
  • XML scripting
  • Support any platform
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Open Source
  • Gradle's methods to manipulate files is very flexible. It minimizes the amount of code one has to write to copy, move, or expand zip or tar files.
  • Gradle uses Groovy, which is a Java like language. This allows for most computer engineers to come up to speed fairly quickly, for writing or maintaining gradle code.
  • Gradle also supports DSL (Domain Specific Language), which is based on Groovy. The DSL language allows engineers to automate build jobs that otherwise could be very cumbersome to maintain or modify.
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Cons
Apache
  • Better lifecycle management can be done
  • So much configuration details needs to provide
  • Order of the flow needs to define in advance
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Open Source
  • I'd like to see a way to specify how to run only certain tests in parallel, I tried this feature and for tests that involve interaction with SQL Databases sometimes I can't because of deadlocks.
  • Not sure if there is something else, gradle has been working really good for us and they are adding improvements all the time which is awesome. I used to think the performance is a deal but the latest versions are addressing this issue very well
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Usability
Apache
No answers on this topic
Open Source
Gradle's language construct is good
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Performance
Apache
No answers on this topic
Open Source
I have tried to use Gradle for projects several times in the past, but there is just so much work in maintaining the build file that it quickly becomes untenable. I have been using Maven for many years, and even though the build file can be complex, it works without maintenance between releases.
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Support Rating
Apache
No answers on this topic
Open Source
Gradle has been an excellent tool for Android development. It has helped us create multiple versions of the app for different environments. It also takes care of all the packaging needs in the background without having to write all the code related to that. It is a no brainer to use Gradle with Android applications.
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Alternatives Considered
Apache
Compare to other tools like Eclipse or Jenkins, Apache Ant is really easy to use tool. and It is very flexible tool which can be learn in couple of days time. And Apache ant help to write the custom java based hooks which enable more capabilities and features in the application
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Open Source
[Gradle is] a more modern version of open source build tools like Ant and Maven.
Whereas the build config was XML files which were tedious and error
prone, the modern DSL usage of Groovy to write these build files is a
great advancement. Also these config files can be inherited from top
level to each associated project.
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Return on Investment
Apache
  • Overall positive impact
  • Speed up the development process
  • Easy deployment process
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Open Source
  • In a distributed development environment, once we established a strong CI/CD model, Gradle proved to be a great choice to automate the various processes. Gradle also provides much flexibility, which is essential in today's development environment. The important benefit is that the CI/CD engineers can support development's needs quickly and reliably. This in turn supports faster testing and deployment, which generates higher ROI.
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