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Apache Struts is an older but still-maintained Java web framework that implements the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern for building enterprise web applications. While newer frameworks like Spring Boot have captured more market share, Struts remains actively used in large enterprises, legacy systems, and organizations with significant Java investments. Struts expertise is valuable for maintenance and modernization work. Companies running legacy e-commerce platforms, banking systems, and large enterprise portals often rely on Struts. If you're maintaining or upgrading a Struts application, finding developers who understand the framework is critical. Start hiring Struts developers from South today.
Struts is an open-source Java web application framework that simplifies building web applications by providing a pluggable architecture and a clear separation of concerns via the MVC pattern. Struts uses action classes to handle business logic, JSP files for views, and a configuration file (struts.xml) to define application flow and mappings.
Struts has two versions: Struts 1 (older, still widely used in legacy applications) and Struts 2 (more modern, introduced around 2007). Struts 2 added annotations, better interceptor patterns, and improved validation support. Both versions are stable and unlikely to change significantly. Struts remains popular in enterprises because it integrates deeply with other Java technologies (Hibernate, Spring, etc.) and doesn't require you to learn a new language or major architectural paradigm shift from the servlet/JSP world.
Hire a Struts developer when you're maintaining or upgrading a legacy Struts application. This is the primary use case for Struts in 2026. If you're building a new application, use Spring Boot or Quarkus instead. Struts is stable and performant for maintaining existing systems, but its development community is much smaller than Spring's.
You should also consider Struts expertise if you're architecting a migration strategy from Struts to Spring Boot. A developer who understands both frameworks can guide the technical strategy and manage the transition. Struts is not a good choice for new projects, real-time applications, or systems that need rapid feature development. New applications should default to Spring Boot unless you have a strong reason not to.
Team composition: pair a Struts developer with a Spring Boot expert (for modernization), a database specialist (usually Oracle or PostgreSQL), and a DevOps engineer familiar with Java application deployment.
Strong Struts developers understand the MVC pattern deeply, are comfortable with XML configuration, know how to work with JSP, and understand the Struts lifecycle (ActionForm, Action, ActionForward). They should also understand when Struts is appropriate and when to recommend modernization. Red flags: a developer who treats Struts as the only way to build web applications, or one who can't articulate the framework's limitations.
Junior (1-2 years): Should understand basic Struts concepts (actions, forms, JSP), can write simple request handlers, and understands the struts.xml configuration. Java fundamentals are non-negotiable.
Mid-level (3-5 years): Comfortable building complete Struts applications, integrating with databases (Hibernate, JDBC), implementing custom validators, and understanding Struts plugins and interceptors. Should understand performance optimization and security best practices.
Senior (5+ years): Can architect large Struts systems, design application flow patterns, migrate legacy systems to modern frameworks, and mentor teams. Often brings experience from multiple Struts versions and can make informed decisions about upgrade strategies.
Build a Struts application with 3-4 actions: a user list, user creation form, user edit, and user delete. Include form validation, error handling, and basic security. Evaluation: Does the candidate understand the Struts lifecycle? Is the application well-organized? Are forms validated properly? Is error handling robust?
LatAm rates (2026):
US market rates (for reference):
Struts developers are becoming scarcer and sometimes command premium rates for legacy maintenance work. LatAm offers 40-60% cost savings compared to US rates. Senior Struts developers are valuable for modernization projects.
LatAm has a deep Java enterprise community, with many developers who cut their teeth on Struts in the 2000s-2010s before transitioning to Spring Boot. This means LatAm has experienced Struts developers available for maintenance and modernization work. Most LatAm Struts developers work UTC-3 to UTC-5, giving you 6-8 hours of real-time overlap with US East Coast teams.
LatAm Struts developers often bring experience with the entire Java ecosystem (Hibernate, Spring, enterprise databases), making them valuable for complex integrations. The region's lower cost of living means you can afford senior Java engineers for maintenance work without the premium US enterprise Java salary.
You describe your application's scope, modernization timeline, and technical requirements. South searches our pre-vetted Java network for Struts specialists. You interview the candidates (we handle scheduling). Once matched, we support the engagement. If the developer doesn't meet your expectations within 30 days, we replace them at no additional cost. Talk to South about your Struts hiring needs.
Struts is used for maintaining and upgrading legacy web applications. It's the MVC framework that many enterprises built on in the 2000s-2010s. New applications should use Spring Boot or Quarkus.
No, Struts is not dead, but it's no longer the default choice for new Java web applications. Spring Boot has captured the market. Struts remains stable and suitable for maintenance work.
It depends on your application's size and stability. Small Struts applications often aren't worth migrating. Large, business-critical applications should evaluate migration. A Struts expert can help you make this decision.
Mid-level Struts developers in LatAm cost $50k-$68k/year, roughly 40-60% less than equivalent US rates. Seniors cost $70k-$105k/year.
Typically 2-4 weeks from initial conversation to start date. Struts specialists are less common than Spring Boot developers, so timelines can be longer.
For Struts maintenance, hire mid-level developers (3-5 years) or seniors. For modernization projects, hire a senior (5+ years) who understands both Struts and Spring Boot.
Yes, we place developers on part-time contracts and project-based engagements. Short-term Struts work is common for maintenance and bug fixes.
Most are UTC-3 (Argentina) or UTC-5 (Brazil), giving you 6-8 hours of overlap with US East Coast and significant overlap with US West Coast.
We conduct multi-stage interviews: initial screening on Java fundamentals, technical interview on Struts architecture and MVC patterns, and a take-home assignment (building a simple Struts application). We also verify experience with legacy systems and migrations.
If there's a skills mismatch or culture fit issue within the first 30 days, we replace them at no additional cost. Our guarantee covers underperformance due to skill gaps or communication barriers.
Yes. We handle employment compliance, taxes, benefits, and payroll in-country, or provide contractor agreements for direct hire arrangements. You stay fully compliant with local labor laws.
Yes. We can assemble Java teams (Struts specialists, Spring Boot engineers, database experts, DevOps) and manage them as a cohesive unit.
