A few years ago, if you asked a CTO which language they’d build their Android app in, the answer was almost always Java. Fast forward to today, and Kotlin is rapidly taking over that space. It’s concise, modern, and officially supported by Google as the preferred language for Android development. With this shift, an increasing number of tech companies are choosing to hire Kotlin developers to future-proof their apps and accelerate delivery.
But why is Kotlin becoming the go-to choice? Is it just hype, or does it actually bring measurable advantages over Java? If you’re evaluating your next hire or choosing between Kotlin and Java for a new project, understanding the differences is essential. Below, we break down the major reasons behind this growing trend and why Kotlin is a serious contender—not just for mobile apps, but for backend and cross-platform development too.
From Startups to Enterprise—Why Kotlin is Gaining Ground Over Java in Modern App Development
1. Kotlin’s Syntax Reduces Development Time
One of the top reasons tech companies are switching from Java to Kotlin is its expressive and concise syntax. Kotlin allows developers to write significantly fewer lines of code, reducing the chances of bugs and making code easier to maintain.
In Java, you might write 10–15 lines to perform a task that Kotlin can achieve in 5. This matters when scaling large applications or working within tight deadlines. For CTOs and project managers trying to hire Kotlin developers, this code efficiency translates into faster development cycles and lower long-term maintenance costs.
What makes Kotlin even more appealing is its full interoperability with Java. Teams don’t have to rewrite everything from scratch. They can migrate slowly, ensuring stability without halting development.
2. Null Safety Features Make Kotlin More Robust
How often have Java developers dealt with NullPointerExceptions crashing their apps? Probably too often. Kotlin addresses this problem head-on with built-in null safety. It forces developers to think about nullability at compile time, rather than discovering it after the app crashes in production.
This safety mechanism reduces runtime errors and improves code reliability. If your product handles sensitive data or complex workflows—like in fintech or healthcare—this kind of safety feature becomes critical.
It’s no surprise that risk-conscious tech companies are choosing to hire Kotlin app developers who can help them write safer, more predictable code.
Interview Tip: Ask Kotlin candidates to explain how they’d handle a nullable variable in a real-world scenario—it reveals both language expertise and problem-solving skills.
3. Kotlin Is Officially Endorsed by Google
When Google announced in 2017 that Kotlin was the preferred language for Android development, it wasn’t just a nod of approval—it was a signal to the entire ecosystem.
This support means better tooling, faster updates, and more community-driven libraries. Jetpack Compose, Android’s new UI toolkit, is Kotlin-first. Many new features in Android Studio are designed with Kotlin in mind.
If you’re building Android apps and still hiring only Java developers, you’re likely missing out on key performance enhancements and tools designed to speed up development.
The smart move? Hire Kotlin developers who stay up to date with these official changes and know how to leverage them for better app performance and maintainability.
4. Strong Community and Growing Talent Pool
A common concern for hiring managers when considering a newer language is talent availability. That gap is closing fast with Kotlin.
Thousands of Java developers have upskilled to Kotlin due to its growing adoption in Android and server-side development. Educational platforms, bootcamps, and universities have added Kotlin to their curriculums. Platforms like Stack Overflow and GitHub also show increasing Kotlin activity year over year.
With more Kotlin developers for hire entering the job market, tech companies now have a stronger pool to choose from—without compromising on expertise.
And because Kotlin was built to be intuitive for Java developers, onboarding or upskilling an existing dev team becomes a smoother process than switching to entirely new languages.
5. Backend Development with Kotlin Is on the Rise
While Kotlin gained fame through Android, it’s now gaining serious traction in backend development as well. Frameworks like Ktor and Spring Boot now support Kotlin natively, making it a great choice for building APIs, microservices, and enterprise apps.
Tech companies that already use Kotlin on the frontend (Android) find it easier to maintain consistency across their stack by using Kotlin for backend as well. This leads to better collaboration between teams and simplified code review processes.
When you hire Kotlin developers, you’re not just hiring Android engineers—you’re potentially hiring full-stack developers who can also contribute to backend systems. Major players like Atlassian, Pinterest, and Netflix have used Kotlin in both mobile and server environments.
6. Cross-Platform Development with Kotlin Multiplatform
For companies looking to save time and cost by sharing code between Android and iOS, Kotlin Multiplatform is an exciting option.
It allows developers to share business logic across platforms while still writing platform-specific UI code. While still maturing, it’s already being used in production by companies like Philips and VMWare.
Instead of hiring two separate teams for Android and iOS, tech companies are increasingly opting to hire Kotlin developers with cross-platform experience to streamline their development pipeline.
If you’re exploring options beyond React Native or Flutter, Kotlin Multiplatform is worth a closer look.
7. Improved Developer Satisfaction and Productivity
A happy developer writes better code. Kotlin’s modern features like extension functions, smart casts, coroutines, and lambda expressions improve not just code efficiency but also developer satisfaction.
It’s more intuitive, less verbose, and less error-prone—resulting in fewer bugs, faster onboarding, and quicker debugging sessions. Developers who switch to Kotlin often say they don’t want to go back to Java.
If you want to reduce turnover and attract top-tier talent, being open to Kotlin adoption is a strong signal to candidates that your team is working with modern tools. In interviews, ask candidates what language they prefer working with and why. You’ll get deep insight into both their values and technical reasoning.
8. Cost Efficiency and Global Hiring
Because Kotlin is now widely adopted and its talent pool is growing, companies can find high-quality developers globally—without paying Silicon Valley rates.
If you’re scaling fast and need cost-effective resources, there’s a Kotlin developer for hire in markets like India, Eastern Europe, and Latin America with the skills to match.
This gives companies the flexibility to hire Kotlin developers remotely, manage costs, and maintain code quality—especially important for early-stage startups or growing SaaS platforms.
Conclusion: Kotlin Isn’t Just a Trend—It’s the Future
Whether you’re launching a new Android app, refactoring backend services, or building for multiple platforms, Kotlin offers advantages Java can’t match. It’s safe, concise, modern, and backed by Google—making it a compelling choice for companies aiming to innovate without increasing complexity.
While Java still has its place in legacy systems and enterprise applications, tech companies that want to stay ahead of the curve are increasingly choosing to hire Kotlin developers instead. And with a solid global talent pool, mature tooling, and real-world success stories, that decision is easier than ever.
So if you’re weighing Kotlin vs Java—ask yourself: do you want to build what’s familiar, or build what’s next?
