# The Future of Server-Side Rendering with Compose HTML Revolutionizing server-side UI development in Kotlin and JVM ecosystem - **Source:** [The JetBrains Blog](https://brifing.si/source/782eebd1-7be8-49cc-b27c-e552516691b2) - **Published:** 2026-08-14 - **Topic:** [Software & Engineering](https://brifing.si/c/engineering) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/5efcca19-6da8-4b0f-a102-b607bde9ebe0 ## Emerging Trends in Server-Side Rendering Technologies like React Server Components, HTMX, and Phoenix LiveView have revived interest in server-side rendering. However, the JVM ecosystem lags behind in this space. Compose Multiplatform's success on Android, iOS, and Desktop shows promise for HTML rendering. This approach would offer type safety while maintaining a single codebase, bridging a critical gap for JVM developers. ## Limitations of Current JVM Solutions Traditional templating engines like Thymeleaf and JSP lack type safety and reusable components. Dependency on JS frameworks forces JVM developers to manage two separate tech stacks. Server-side rendering support in Compose HTML could fundamentally solve these issues. Kotlin's Java interoperability would enable adoption in legacy systems. ## Technical Potential of Compose HTML Currently, Compose HTML only targets JS for building SPAs. However, the core Compose runtime could be adapted for HTML generation on JVM. A renderToString function could serialize component trees to HTML strings. This would bring IDE advantages with compile-time checks, offering a significant improvement over string-based templates. ## Advantages of Type-Safe Components Traditional templates pass component parameters as untyped strings, causing runtime errors during refactoring. In Compose, each component is a type-safe Kotlin function. Parameter changes are caught at compile time. IDE support enables autocomplete and safe refactoring. This provides major productivity gains for large-scale applications. ## Existing Kotlin Web Frameworks Kobweb offers static site generation built on Compose HTML. Kilua leverages Compose Runtime directly for SSR and CSR. Summon provides SSR with hydration support. These solutions would gain a stronger foundation with JVM support in Compose HTML. Deep integration with frameworks like Spring Boot and Ktor would become possible. ## Technical Implementation Details Adding JVM target to Compose HTML requires implementing renderToString to serialize component trees to HTML in a single pass. Unlike client-side Compose, server rendering wouldn't support recomposition on state changes. Event listeners would be accepted but non-functional. Despite these limitations, it would excel for static content and simple interactions. ## Performance and SEO Benefits Server-rendered Compose HTML would offer better SEO performance than traditional SPAs. Initial load times would decrease and accessibility would improve. Unlike canvas-based solutions, it would produce real HTML output. This is particularly valuable for content-heavy sites, enabling better search engine indexing. ## Ecosystem Impact JVM support in Compose HTML would revitalize Kotlin web development. Java developers could build modern web apps without leaving their platform. Large enterprise Java applications could gradually adopt Compose components. This would strengthen JVM's position in web development and attract new developer communities. ## Future Vision Server-side rendering support in Compose HTML could fundamentally transform fullstack development on JVM. Type safety, reusable components, and single codebase advantages might meet all modern web development needs. This move could establish Kotlin as a leading language for web development, completing its multiplatform vision. ## Sources covering this story - https://blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2026/08/exploring-compose-html-for-server-side-rendering/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._