---
title: Apache FreeMarker Reviews
meta_title: 'Apache FreeMarker Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2'
meta_description: Filter 20 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to
  find out how Apache FreeMarker works for a business like yours.
aggregate_rating:
  rating_value: 4.0
  review_count: 20
  scale: '5'
date_modified: '2026-08-09'
parent_category:
  name: Collaboration & Productivity
  url: https://www.g2.com/categories/collaboration-productivity
---


# Apache FreeMarker Reviews
**Vendor:** The Apache Software Foundation  
**Category:** [Document Generation Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/document-generation)  
**Average Rating:** 4.0/5.0  
**Total Reviews:** 20
## About Apache FreeMarker
Apache FreeMarker is a template engine and a Java library to generate text output (HTML web pages, e-mails, configuration files, source code, etc.) based on templates and changing data.




## Apache FreeMarker Reviews
  ### 1. It is very good template engine for dynamic web pages.

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Krishantha C. | Technical Specialist, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** December 07, 2020

**What do you like best about Apache FreeMarker?**

Really easy to use. This is great when we have so many web templates and it's giving the flexibility to adjust them accordingly. And of cause, it's Open Source and well documented and therefore we don't need to hard search to get something done.

**What do you dislike about Apache FreeMarker?**

Freemarker had almost everything I need. And also it's well documented. Therefore I had no issues with it while working on my requirements. So I don't have anything at this moment. But if I found something will inform them because it is a great and simple tool, and we need to improve that to sustain it in the market.

**Recommendations to others considering Apache FreeMarker:**

It is a great tool and easy to use. I did not want to contact them because I was able to find everything I want. So if you have an idea to use Freemarker or looking for a dynamic template engine I can guarantee that the Freemarker is a good choice. If you still have an issue with it, there are a lot of people out there to support you.

**What problems is Apache FreeMarker solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I had to generate multiple templates with the same set of backend data a long time ago. At that time it gave me huge flexibility to complete the requirement. And also with the tight deadline, I was able to complete it because of the good documentation and ease to use. And performance-wise also I do not need to worry about it because it is a lightweight tool. After that, I used it to generate complex dynamic web pages in a simple manner.

  ### 2. Used number of templating languages in the past but without a doubt Freemarker  is the easiest one

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Leisure, Travel & Tourism | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** October 28, 2020

**What do you like best about Apache FreeMarker?**

Simple and easy to read code, everything looks very natural and easy to understand.

**What do you dislike about Apache FreeMarker?**

Some syntax is harder to remember but I am glad they have an outstanding resources available online which is really helpful

**Recommendations to others considering Apache FreeMarker:**

I would highly recommend anyone who's looking a great backend templating language Freemarker is the great choice available

**What problems is Apache FreeMarker solving and how is that benefiting you?**

We were looking for a good templating language solution which could work perfectly with our CMS Alfresco and Freemarker was the perfect match made in heaven :)

  ### 3. Freemarker Review

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** December 05, 2020

**What do you like best about Apache FreeMarker?**

Powerful template language
Multipurpose and lightweight
Internationalization/localization-aware
XML processing capabilities
Versatile data-model

**What do you dislike about Apache FreeMarker?**

Error description can be improved also there is no good IDE support

**What problems is Apache FreeMarker solving and how is that benefiting you?**

designing a UI framework for that works efficiently on every platform

  ### 4. I used to generate web pages and email

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 31, 2020

**What do you like best about Apache FreeMarker?**

We used this with Spring MVC as well before Thymeleaf arrives.  A really good template engine does well with loops, lists, conditional statements.

**What do you dislike about Apache FreeMarker?**

FreeMarker is really good, but I would go with Thymeleaf if using with Spring

**What problems is Apache FreeMarker solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Geanarate dynamic web pages, email templates.

  ### 5. Excellent for XML generation

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** July 28, 2020

**What do you like best about Apache FreeMarker?**

Easy to use Java API
Great Performance.
Templates saves a lot of time by bypassing complete XML generation code.

**What do you dislike about Apache FreeMarker?**

Documentation can be improved. Developers need more samples so that they can easily start using Freemarker.
Need more examples on JSON structures with nested arrays and one to many relationships.

**What problems is Apache FreeMarker solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Avoided the need to use Standard XML APIs for XML generation. Saves lot of time and effort.
All  I need is an XML template that can be populated by freemarker.

  ### 6. Lightweight but powerful

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Online Media | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** October 30, 2020

**What do you like best about Apache FreeMarker?**

Highly configurable and easy to use, great locale awareness

**What do you dislike about Apache FreeMarker?**

Looping over objects can be verbose and long winded

**What problems is Apache FreeMarker solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Multiple reports of similar format

  ### 7. Server side template engine

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Services | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 01, 2020

**What do you like best about Apache FreeMarker?**

We were using free market template along with jquerh Ajax. And we found it easy to use. Data binding is easy.

**What do you dislike about Apache FreeMarker?**

Documentation part has a scope to be improved. Other than that I don't see any cons as of now.

**What problems is Apache FreeMarker solving and how is that benefiting you?**

It's a lightweight, fast and easy to use.

  ### 8. Used in struts2

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2020

**What do you like best about Apache FreeMarker?**

Great Performance and the way it handles some things (like whitespace), comparing to other template engines

**What do you dislike about Apache FreeMarker?**

The documentation was not so good at that time

**What problems is Apache FreeMarker solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Creating a custom struts2 theme

  ### 9. A novice IT user..LOL

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Christina A. | Secretary, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** May 15, 2018

**What do you like best about Apache FreeMarker?**

That it was not overly to hard for someone with limited IT experience to use.

**What do you dislike about Apache FreeMarker?**

some areas were confusing..  had to go back a couple times and restart but we have just started using this program.

**What problems is Apache FreeMarker solving and how is that benefiting you?**

 It makes it nice when it comes to putting sales documents together and the branding of them.


## Apache FreeMarker Discussions
  - [What is Apache FreeMarker used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-apache-freemarker-used-for)

- [View Apache FreeMarker pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-freemarker/reviews?filters%5Bnps_score%5D%5B%5D=4&section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-08-12+23%3A55%3A47+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=abcb04b1-5be8-4eee-a464-081d94a46e57&secure%5Btoken%5D=62b1b652f1f5b66b7e8f22433579b3f73b19f8d6452000a7e44b419f697c76d3&format=llm_user)

## Apache FreeMarker Features
**Additional Functionality**
- Third-Party Integrations
- To-Do List
- @mentions
- Single Sign On
- File Management
- Activity Dashboard
- Drag & Drop
- Alerts/Notifications
- Prioritization
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Screen Sharing
- Content Management
- Brainstorming
- AI Copilot
- File Transfer
- Calendar Management
- Status Tracking
- Real-Time Notifications
- Version Control
- Task Management
- Activity Tracking
- Real Time Editing
- Communication Management
- Chat/Messaging
- Tagging
- Generative AI
- Assignment Management
- Task Scheduling
- Project Management
- Collaboration Tools
- Workflow Management
- Secure Data Storage
- File Sharing
- Document Storage
- Task Progress Tracking
- Discussions/Forums
- Commenting/Notes
- Reporting & Statistics
- Contact Management
- Video Conferencing
- Progress Tracking
- Mobile Access
- API
- Document Management
- Customizable Branding

**Data Sources**
- Software
- Spreadsheets
- Documents

**Generation**
- Templates
- Automation
- Branding
- Email Templates
- Alerts/Notifications
- Document Templates
- Customizable Templates

**Delivery**
- Workflow
- Schedule
- Batch
- Compliance Management
- Workflow Management

**Generative AI**
- AI Text Generation
- AI Text Summarization
- AI Text-to-Image
- AI Image-to-Text
- Generative AI
- Document Generation

**Agentic AI - Document Generation**
- Autonomous Task Execution

**Additional Functionality**
- Customizable Forms
- Multiple Format Support
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Drag & Drop
- Digital Signature
- Collaboration Tools
- API
- Search/Filter
- Third-Party Integrations
- Text Editing
- Audit Trail
- Approval Process Control
- Content Management
- Multiple Output Formats
- Offline Access
- Data Import/Export
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Forms Management
- Data Synchronization
- Content Library
- Customizable Fields
- Multi-Language
- Data Storage Management
- Contract Drafting
- Archiving & Retention
- Full Text Search
- Interaction Tracking
- Contract/License Management
- Document Review
- Batch Processing
- Conditional Logic
- Document Management
- Document Storage
- Template Management
- Electronic Signature
- Reporting & Statistics
- Version Control
- AI Copilot
- Workflow Automation

## Top Apache FreeMarker Alternatives
  - [Conga Composer](https://www.g2.com/products/conga-composer/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (847 reviews)
  - [Adobe Acrobat](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-acrobat/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (4,669 reviews)
  - [Wondershare PDFelement](https://www.g2.com/products/wondershare-wondershare-pdfelement/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (1,028 reviews)

