Difference between Spring MVC and Spring Boot

Last Updated : 4 Apr, 2026

Spring MVC and Spring Boot are key parts of the Spring ecosystem used for developing Java-based web applications. They help developers build structured and efficient applications, but differ in terms of configuration, setup, and ease of development.

Enables development of web applications using the MVC architecture
Simplifies application setup and reduces boilerplate code
Supports faster development and deployment of Java applications

Spring MVC

Spring MVC is a web framework module of the Spring Framework that helps in building web applications following the Model-View-Controller pattern. It provides full control over application architecture and is highly flexible.

Model-View-Controller (MVC) Pattern: Separates application logic, UI, and request handling.
Flexible Configuration: Supports XML, annotations, and Java-based configuration.
Integration: Works with Spring modules like Spring Security, Spring Data, and Hibernate.

Example: Spring MVC Web Application:

Explanation: This is a Spring MVC app with manual configuration using @EnableWebMvc, handling requests via a controller and returning a view, deployed on an external server like Tomcat.

Spring Boot

Spring Boot is a framework built on top of Spring that simplifies application development by providing auto-configuration, embedded servers, and production-ready features. It reduces boilerplate code and allows developers to get applications running quickly.

Auto-Configuration: Automatically configures Spring applications based on included dependencies.
Embedded Servers: Comes with embedded Tomcat, Jetty, or Undertow; no external server needed.
Starter POMs: Ready-made dependency bundles for common functionalities.

Example: Spring Boot REST API:

Explanation: This is a Spring Boot application that uses auto-configuration and an embedded server, so it runs directly without manual deployment. It defines a REST controller that handles requests and returns user data in JSON format.

Spring MVC vs Spring Boot

Feature	Spring MVC	Spring Boot
Purpose	A module for building web applications with the MVC pattern.	A framework to quickly create production-ready Spring applications.
Configuration	Requires manual XML or annotation-based setup.	Provides auto-configuration, reducing boilerplate code.
Setup Complexity	More complex and time-consuming to configure.	Simple setup; minimal configuration needed.
Server Requirement	Needs an external server like Tomcat or Jetty.	Comes with embedded servers; external setup not required.
Dependency Management	Developers manually manage dependencies.	Uses Starter POMs for simplified dependency management.
Learning Curve	Steeper due to manual configuration and modular structure.	Easier and faster to start and deploy applications.