util.Arrays vs reflect.Array in Java with Examples

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025

Array class in java.lang.reflect package is a part of the Java Reflection. This class provides static methods to create and access Java arrays dynamically. It is a final class, which means it can’t be instantiated or changed. Only the methods of this class can be used by the class name itself. On the other hand, Arrays class in java.util package is a part of the Java Collection Framework. This class provides static methods to dynamically create and access Java arrays. It consists of only static methods and the methods of Object class. The methods of this class can be used by the class name itself.

Let us directly discuss major differences via table as follows on basic of few factor as listed:

Difference between Array and Arrays

Basic	Array	Arrays
Package Existence in class hierrarchy	The Array class exists in the java.lang.reflect package	The Arrays class exists in java.util package
Class Hierrarchy	java.lang.Object ↳ java.lang.reflect ↳ Class Array	java.lang.Object ↳ java.util ↳ Class Arrays
Immutability	The Array class is immutable in nature	Arrays class is not immutable in nature. By immutable, it means that the class cannot be extended or inherited. The Array class is declared as final to achieve immutability.
Class declaration	public final class Array extends Object	public class Arrays extends Object
Usage	Array class provides static methods to dynamically create and access Java arrays. This Array class keeps the array to be type-safe.	Arrays class contains various methods for manipulating arrays (such as sorting and searching)