Lombok vs Records: When to Use What?

With Java's continuous evolution, two powerful tools for reducing boilerplate code have emerged: Lombok and Records. But when should you choose one over the other? In this post, we'll break down their strengths, differences, and which scenarios they shine in.

🔧 Lombok: Auto-generating Boilerplate Code

Lombok is a Java library that uses annotations to auto-generate boilerplate code like getters, setters, equals/hashCode, toString, and constructors. It’s widely used in legacy codebases to reduce verbosity while maintaining flexibility.

Popular Lombok Annotations

• @Getter / @Setter – auto-generates getters and setters
• @ToString – generates the toString() method
• @EqualsAndHashCode – generates equals() and hashCode() methods
• @Builder – enables builder pattern
• @Value – creates immutable objects with final fields

When to Use Lombok

• Working with legacy code where you need flexibility with your classes.
• When you want to maintain mutability or custom logic in your classes.
• When you want more control over which methods get generated, using specific Lombok annotations as needed.

📦 Java Records: Immutable Data Structures

Records were introduced in Java 14 as a feature of Project Amber to simplify working with immutable data objects. A record class is a special kind of class that provides automatic implementations for equals(), hashCode(), and toString() while making the object immutable by default.

Record Example

public record User(String name, int age) {}

With just one line of code, a record auto-generates:

• A constructor with all fields
• Getters for all fields (no setters, as it's immutable)
• toString(), equals(), and hashCode() methods

When to Use Records

• When you need immutable data structures (no setters are allowed).
• When the class primarily holds data with no complex logic.
• When you want to easily work with records as keys in collections (e.g., in HashMap). The auto-generated hashCode() is very efficient.

🧮 Key Differences Between Lombok and Records

Feature	Lombok	Records
Immutability	Mutable (by default)	Immutable by default
Generated Methods	Customizable via annotations	Fixed set of methods (equals, hashCode, toString, constructor)
Field Access	Can be either mutable or immutable, depending on your choice of annotations	Fields are final and can only be accessed via getter methods
Complexity	More flexible, can be used for any class type	Best for simple data containers with no complex behavior
Use Case	Legacy code, mutable objects, fine-grained control	Immutable data structures, DTOs, data-centric objects

💡 When to Choose One Over the Other?

Here are some practical guidelines to help you decide when to use Lombok vs Records:

• Choose Lombok when you need more flexibility in your data objects, need to support mutable fields, or when working with legacy code.
• Choose Records when you want simple, immutable data containers with auto-generated methods for things like toString() and equals() — especially in new projects where immutability is preferred.

📚 Conclusion

Both Lombok and Records serve different needs in the Java ecosystem. Lombok is a more flexible solution for reducing boilerplate code in mutable classes, while Records provide a clean, simple solution for immutable data objects. Understanding these differences will help you make the best choice for your project.

Want to dive deeper into Lombok annotations or more about Java Records? Stay tuned for more!