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Interactive technology comparison · 32 languages & frameworks

Kotlin vs. R: Comparison, differences & use cases

Kotlin and R compared: differences, strengths and use cases – with the job market live from real postings and suitability per use case.

Python vs. Java Python vs. JavaScript Python vs. TypeScript React vs. Angular React vs. Vue React vs. Next.js
Active jobs
116
Since
2011
Typing
statisch
VS
Active jobs
60
Since
1993
Typing
dynamisch

Kotlin leads in 6 of 8 use cases.

Live from 7,804 jobs

Who wins on the job market?

Real figures from all IT jobs currently published on Jobriver – not estimates. Every number states its basis.

Open positions

Kotlin is sought in 1.9 times as many job ads.

Remote or hybrid

Kotlin 46 %
R 37 %

Basis: 116 and 60 jobs respectively

Senior & lead

Kotlin 39 %
R 10 %

Junior jobs: 6 and 9 respectively

Salary according to job ads

Kotlin €57,500n = 87
R €61,500n = 46

Editorial assessment

Suitability by use case

0 to 100 per use case. Hover over an axis for the values – everything is listed as a table below.

6:2use cases ahead

Web backend 1 Frontend & dashboards 2 Data science & ML 3 Mobile apps 4 Systems programming 5 Scripting & automation 6 Game development 7 DevOps & cloud 8
Suitability per use case
Use caseKotlinR
1Web backend 80good fit 20less suitable
2Frontend & dashboards 30less suitable 15less suitable
3Data science & ML 45suitable 95excellent fit
4Mobile apps 95excellent fit 5less suitable
5Systems programming 45suitable 10less suitable
6Scripting & automation 55suitable 60suitable
7Game development 55suitable 5less suitable
8DevOps & cloud 60suitable 20less suitable

Profile

Side by side.

KotlinR
2011 Year released 1993
Multiparadigma (OOP, funktional) Paradigm Funktional, statistisch
statisch Typing dynamisch
Performance
Popularity
Learning curve (lower = easier)

Kotlin ist eine pragmatische, statisch typisierte JVM-Sprache. Offizielle Sprache für Android und zunehmend im Backend (Ktor, Spring) beliebt.

R ist auf Statistik, Datenanalyse und Visualisierung spezialisiert. In Forschung und Data Science weit verbreitet, außerhalb davon kaum.

Market demand is based on real, active IT job ads on Jobriver. The 1-5 ratings are editorial assessments.

Strengths & weaknesses

What speaks for which?

Kotlin

Pros

  • Moderner und kompakter als Java
  • Offizielle Sprache für Android
  • Voll interoperabel mit Java/JVM
  • Null-Sicherheit im Typsystem

Cons

  • Kleinere Community als Java
  • Längere Build-Zeiten
  • Außerhalb von Android/JVM wenig verbreitet
View Kotlin jobs

R

Pros

  • Unschlagbar für Statistik & Visualisierung
  • Riesiges Paket-Ökosystem (CRAN)
  • Standard in Forschung & Data Science
  • Schnelle explorative Datenanalyse

Cons

  • Außerhalb von Statistik kaum nutzbar
  • Performance bei großen Daten begrenzt
  • Eigenwillige Syntax
View R jobs

Finder

Which one suits you?

What do you want to build?
What matters to you?
Type

How we calculate: average suitability for your use cases, +15 % weight per selected priority (learning curve, performance, jobs relative to the leader). Tie → alphabetical.

    More match-ups

    How else does Kotlin fare?

    vs Kotlin vs. Python Die lesbare Allzwecksprache für Data & Web Compare vs Kotlin vs. Java Der robuste Enterprise-Klassiker Compare vs Kotlin vs. JavaScript Die Sprache des Web - überall lauffähig Compare vs Kotlin vs. TypeScript JavaScript mit statischen Typen Compare vs Kotlin vs. C# Microsofts vielseitige .NET-Sprache Compare vs Kotlin vs. PHP Die pragmatische Sprache des Webs Compare

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions about Kotlin and R

    Salary comparison by role · IT skill trends

    What is the difference between Kotlin and R?

    In the suitability comparison Kotlin leads in 6 and R in 2 of 8 use cases; in the rest both are level. Kotlin fits Mobile apps best, R fits Data science & ML best.

    How many jobs are there for Kotlin and R?

    Currently 116 open IT jobs on Jobriver mention Kotlin, and 60 mention R. Of these, 53 and 22 respectively are remote or hybrid.

    Is Kotlin or R better for starting a career?

    For career starters there are currently 6 jobs with Kotlin and 9 jobs with R; for senior and lead roles there are 45 and 6.

    Where are most jobs for Kotlin and R?

    Most Kotlin jobs are in Berlin, most R jobs are in Berlin.

    What do you earn with Kotlin compared to R?

    In job ads with a salary, the median annual salary for Kotlin is EUR 57,500 gross and for R EUR 61,500 gross (median of 87 and 46 ads).

    Decided? Then on to the job.

    Active IT jobs with exactly this technology – with salary, remote share and tech stack.

    Kotlin jobs R jobs