JavaFX Development

TL;DR

What it is: JavaFX development means building cross-platform desktop applications using Java and the JavaFX GUI framework. JavaFX provides hardware-accelerated graphics, declarative FXML layouts, CSS-based styling, and access to the full Java ecosystem. Most freelance work involves enterprise internal tools, data visualization dashboards, and modernizing older Swing applications.

What you'll do:

• Build desktop application interfaces using FXML, JavaFX controls, and CSS styling
• Integrate Java backend logic with databases, REST APIs, and file system operations
• Package and distribute applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux using jpackage
• Maintain and modernize existing Java desktop applications for enterprise clients

Time to learn: 3-6 months if you practice 8-10 hours/week and already know Java. Starting from scratch with programming, 9-16 months is more realistic.

What you need: A computer with JDK 17 or newer, OpenJFX SDK, Scene Builder, and a code editor. All free to start.

Note: Platforms may charge fees or commissions. We don't track specific rates as they change frequently. Check each platform's current pricing before signing up.

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JavaFX is an open-source GUI toolkit for building desktop applications in Java. Originally developed by Sun Microsystems and later maintained by Oracle, it was decoupled from the JDK starting with Java 11 and is now maintained as a standalone project called OpenJFX, with commercial support available through Gluon. Applications built with JavaFX run on Windows, macOS, and Linux from a single codebase.

For freelancers and side hustlers, JavaFX fills a specific niche. Many enterprises have existing Java codebases and need desktop tools that integrate with their infrastructure. If you already know Java, JavaFX lets you offer desktop application development without learning an entirely different technology stack. The market is small compared to web development, but the developers who serve it well tend to find steady, recurring work from enterprise clients.

What This Actually Is

You build desktop applications that install on a user's computer and run natively across operating systems. Unlike web apps confined to a browser, JavaFX applications can access the local file system, interact with hardware, display rich data visualizations, and work offline.

JavaFX uses a scene graph architecture. You construct interfaces from nodes (buttons, tables, charts, layouts) arranged in a tree structure. The framework renders these using hardware-accelerated graphics. You can define layouts declaratively using FXML (an XML-based markup language) or build them programmatically in Java code. CSS styling controls the visual appearance, using a dialect specific to JavaFX that's similar but not identical to web CSS.

Client work falls into several categories. Enterprise internal tools are the most common: inventory management systems, data entry applications, CRM frontends, or specialized dashboards that need to run locally. Legacy modernization is another frequent project type, where companies need their older Swing applications migrated to JavaFX for a more modern look and feel. Data visualization projects are also common, as JavaFX includes built-in chart components and supports custom visualizations for monitoring and analytics use cases.

Some developers build kiosk applications (self-service terminals, check-in systems, digital signage), point-of-sale systems, or educational software. These projects take advantage of JavaFX's touch support and fullscreen capabilities.

What You'll Actually Do

Most projects begin with translating requirements into a working desktop interface. You define the UI layout in FXML using Scene Builder (a visual drag-and-drop editor) or write it programmatically. Scene Builder generates FXML files that pair with Java controller classes, separating the visual design from the application logic.

Java backend development makes up a significant portion of your work. You write the application logic, database interactions (typically through JDBC or an ORM like Hibernate), file processing, network communication, and business rules in standard Java. This code connects to the UI through JavaFX's property binding system, which automatically updates the interface when data changes.

Multithreading requires careful handling. JavaFX enforces a strict single-thread model for UI updates. All interface modifications must happen on the JavaFX Application Thread. Long-running operations (database queries, file processing, API calls) need to run on background threads using JavaFX's Task and Service classes, with results marshaled back to the UI thread. Getting this wrong causes either frozen interfaces or runtime exceptions.

Packaging and distribution involve creating native installers using jpackage (included with JDK 14 and later). You produce .exe or .msi installers for Windows, .dmg or .pkg bundles for macOS, and .deb or .rpm packages for Linux. This requires configuring your build tool (Maven or Gradle) with the appropriate JavaFX plugins and modules. Since JavaFX is no longer part of the JDK, you need to bundle the JavaFX runtime with your application or use jlink to create a custom runtime image.

Testing involves both unit testing your Java logic with JUnit and UI testing with TestFX, a library that automates interactions with JavaFX interfaces. Cross-platform testing matters because font rendering, window behavior, and file system conventions differ across operating systems.

Skills You Need

Java proficiency is the foundation. You need strong object-oriented programming skills, comfort with collections, generics, streams, lambda expressions, and concurrency primitives. JavaFX is a Java framework, and the quality of your backend code directly determines the quality of your applications.

Understanding JavaFX's architecture is essential. The scene graph model, node lifecycle, property binding system, event handling, and FXML controller pattern are concepts you use in every project. Knowing how to structure applications cleanly (separating views, controllers, models, and services) matters for maintainable code.

FXML and Scene Builder skills speed up development significantly. Scene Builder lets you visually design interfaces and generates FXML that wires into your Java code. Most professional JavaFX developers use Scene Builder for layout prototyping and refine the FXML by hand for precision.

CSS styling for JavaFX is its own skill. JavaFX CSS shares syntax with web CSS but has different properties and selectors. Learning how to style controls, create custom themes, and override default styles lets you deliver polished interfaces that look professional rather than generic.

Build tool knowledge is necessary. Maven or Gradle with the OpenJFX plugin handles dependency management, compilation, and packaging. Understanding how Java modules work (the module-info.java system introduced in Java 9) is important because JavaFX relies on the Java module system.

Database integration skills matter for most projects. JDBC for direct connections, SQLite for embedded local databases, and familiarity with at least one relational database (PostgreSQL, MySQL) cover the majority of client needs.

Getting Started

Install JDK 17 or 21 (LTS versions), download the OpenJFX SDK, and install Scene Builder from Gluon's website. Set up a Maven or Gradle project with the JavaFX plugin and create a basic application that opens a window with some controls. This teaches you the project structure and build configuration.

Build 3-4 portfolio applications that demonstrate different capabilities:

• A data management tool with a TableView, search/filter functionality, and local database storage (shows core CRUD skills)
• An application with charts and data visualization, pulling data from a file or API (shows JavaFX's charting capabilities)
• A multi-window application with a polished UI, custom CSS theme, and system integration (shows design and packaging skills)
• A project packaged with native installers for at least two platforms (shows distribution readiness)

Study the OpenJFX documentation and the example projects included with the SDK. JavaFX's API documentation is comprehensive, and the examples cover common patterns for layouts, controls, and data binding.

Start with small freelance tasks. Bug fixes, feature additions, or UI improvements on existing Java desktop applications are good entry points. Many of these projects involve mixed Swing/JavaFX codebases, which is a common real-world scenario.

Income Reality

Income depends on your skill level, project type, client base, and time commitment. These are market observations, not guarantees.

Some developers handling basic JavaFX work (simple utility apps, UI modifications, bug fixes on existing applications) report earning $500-1,500/month working part-time on freelance platforms.

Intermediate developers building complete desktop applications with database integration, data visualization, and multi-platform packaging report $2,000-4,000/month.

Experienced developers working on complex enterprise projects (applications with Spring Boot integration, multi-module architectures, legacy Swing migration, or performance optimization) report $4,000-8,000/month or more.

Hourly rates on freelance platforms range from $20-80/hour depending on experience, location, and client type. Developers with domain expertise in specific industries (finance, healthcare, manufacturing) tend to command higher rates.

A critical reality: the volume of JavaFX-specific freelance projects is low. At any given time, freelance platforms may have only a handful of JavaFX-tagged listings. Most successful developers in this space market themselves as "Java desktop developers" or "Java full-stack developers" who happen to know JavaFX, rather than advertising JavaFX as their sole skill.

Side hustle perspective: This is a supplementary income opportunity, not a full-time career replacement. Treat it as a side hustle -- something that brings in extra money while you maintain other income sources. Don't expect this to replace a full-time salary.

Your actual income varies based on skill, niche, effort, location, and market conditions.

Where to Find Work

For developers building their portfolio:

• Upwork and Freelancer for Java desktop and JavaFX project listings
• GitHub contributions to open-source JavaFX projects and libraries (builds visibility)
• Developer forums and communities focused on Java and desktop development
• Stack Overflow and similar Q&A sites where helping others builds reputation

For experienced developers:

• Toptal for premium, vetted client engagements
• Direct outreach to companies with existing Java desktop applications
• LinkedIn for enterprise contract positions requiring Java desktop skills
• Recruiting agencies specializing in Java enterprise development

Enterprise clients provide the most consistent work. Companies in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government often have existing Java desktop applications that need maintenance, modernization, or new feature development. These clients value reliability and domain familiarity, leading to long-term relationships.

Legacy modernization is a specific opportunity worth targeting. Many companies have aging Swing applications that need updated interfaces. Positioning yourself as someone who can migrate Swing applications to JavaFX while preserving existing business logic gives you a concrete service offering.

Businesses needing internal tools that integrate with existing Java infrastructure are another reliable segment. If a company already runs Java on its servers, a JavaFX desktop client that shares code and libraries with the backend is a natural fit.

Common Challenges

Market size is the primary challenge. JavaFX has a significantly smaller freelance market than web or mobile development. The number of JavaFX-specific project listings on any platform is low, which means you cannot rely on JavaFX alone for steady income. Broadening your offerings to include general Java development, Swing maintenance, or Spring Boot work helps fill gaps between JavaFX projects.

Competition from web technologies is real. Many applications that would have been desktop software a decade ago are now built as web apps. Electron dominates cross-platform desktop when web technologies are preferred. Tauri is gaining momentum as a lightweight alternative. Clients who need a desktop application often default to these options because web developers are more abundant. Justifying why JavaFX is the right choice requires clear reasoning about performance, integration, or existing Java infrastructure.

The framework's trajectory deserves honest assessment. Oracle removed JavaFX from the JDK in Java 11, and community maintainers now develop it as a standalone project. While OpenJFX is actively maintained and functional, the separation from the JDK signals reduced mainstream investment. Documentation and community resources are thinner than for popular web frameworks.

Packaging and distribution have friction. Since JavaFX is not bundled with the JDK, you must include the JavaFX runtime with your application. Configuring jlink and jpackage correctly, handling platform-specific module configurations, and dealing with code signing requirements on macOS takes setup work that clients don't always account for in project scope.

JavaFX's single-thread UI model catches developers off guard. Any long-running operation on the main thread freezes the interface. Properly structuring background tasks using JavaFX's Task and Service classes, while keeping the UI responsive, requires understanding concurrency patterns that are more complex than typical web development.

Tips That Actually Help

Market yourself as a Java developer with desktop capabilities, not a "JavaFX developer." The broader positioning opens up significantly more opportunities. Clients searching for Java developers are far more numerous than those searching specifically for JavaFX.

Master Scene Builder and FXML early. Visual layout design dramatically speeds up prototyping and client demos. Being able to quickly show a client a working interface mockup builds confidence and wins projects.

Learn Spring Boot alongside JavaFX. The Spring Boot + JavaFX combination is a common enterprise pattern where Spring handles dependency injection, configuration, and service layers while JavaFX handles the UI. This pairing makes you valuable to enterprise clients who already use Spring in their backend systems.

Build a reusable application template with your standard project structure, Maven/Gradle configuration, common utility classes, and CSS theme. JavaFX project setup involves configuration overhead, and having a solid starting point saves time on every new project.

Understand Swing integration. Many real-world projects involve hybrid codebases where Swing and JavaFX components coexist. The JFXPanel and SwingNode classes allow embedding one toolkit inside the other. Being comfortable with both makes you useful for gradual migration projects.

Profile performance during development. JavaFX applications can have rendering issues with complex scene graphs or large data sets. Using JDK Flight Recorder and VisualVM to identify performance bottlenecks early prevents painful optimization work later.

Keep your JDK and OpenJFX versions current. LTS releases (JDK 17, 21) are the standard for production work. Staying on supported versions ensures security patches and compatibility with client environments.

Learning Timeline Reality

This is an estimate, not a guarantee. Your pace depends on prior experience and hours invested.

If you already know Java well, expect 3-6 months of building sample applications at 8-10 hours/week before you're ready for client work. The main learning areas are JavaFX's scene graph architecture, FXML and Scene Builder, CSS styling, property binding, concurrency with Task/Service, and packaging with jpackage.

If you know another object-oriented language but not Java, add 2-4 months for Java fundamentals. Focus on OOP, collections, streams, and concurrency before diving into JavaFX.

If you're starting from zero programming experience, expect 9-16 months at 10-15 hours/week. You'll need to learn programming fundamentals, then Java, then JavaFX-specific concepts and tools.

The fastest path to freelance readiness is building and shipping actual applications. Package them as native installers, test them on multiple operating systems, and use them yourself. Working through the full cycle from FXML layout to packaged installer teaches you things that tutorials alone cannot.

Is This For You?

JavaFX development works well as a side hustle if you already know Java and want to add desktop application development to your skill set. The framework is well-designed, Scene Builder makes UI prototyping fast, and the full Java ecosystem (libraries, build tools, testing frameworks) is available to you.

The strongest position for a JavaFX freelancer is as a Java developer who can also build desktop applications, not someone who only does JavaFX. Java is one of the most widely used programming languages in enterprise environments. Adding desktop capabilities to your Java skill set gives you a differentiator without betting everything on a single niche.

Be realistic about the market, though. JavaFX-specific project volume is low on freelance platforms, and the framework's trajectory is one of declining mainstream adoption rather than growth. Most new desktop projects are built with web-based frameworks. The opportunities in JavaFX are primarily in enterprise environments with existing Java infrastructure and in maintaining or modernizing legacy applications.

If you're deciding what to learn from scratch specifically for freelancing, other technologies offer larger markets and more consistent project flow. But if you already work with Java professionally and want a side income stream that leverages your existing knowledge, JavaFX is a practical addition that opens up a segment of the market most web developers cannot serve.

Note on specialization: This is a highly niche field that requires very specific knowledge and skills. Success depends heavily on understanding the technical details and nuances of Java desktop development and the enterprise environments where JavaFX is used. Consider this only if you have genuine interest and willingness to learn the specifics.

The developers who do well with JavaFX as a side hustle tend to be pragmatists. They treat it as one tool in a broader Java toolkit, they target enterprise clients who value stability and integration over trendy frameworks, and they maintain other income sources while JavaFX projects come and go.