What is the difference between Spring Framework and Spring Boot?

Separates Spring's application framework and container from Boot's opinionated startup, dependency, configuration, and operational conventions.

1Say itAnswer out loud first

2CompareCompare with Core answer

3RefineRefine with Stronger and Advanced

TL;DR

Spring Framework provides the core application model: dependency injection, bean lifecycle, AOP, transactions, web frameworks, and integration APIs. Spring Boot builds on that foundation and makes an application easier to start through opinionated defaults, auto-configuration, starter dependencies, external configuration, and embedded server support. A Boot application still uses Spring beans and an ApplicationContext. Boot changes how much configuration you write, not the underlying meaning of dependency injection.

Full answer below

Practice focus

A clear boundary between Spring fundamentals and the conveniences Spring Boot adds without pretending Boot is a separate replacement framework.

Answer first

Answer path

Core answer first, then checkpoints toward a stronger answer.

Start
Core answer
Start here. This is the direct spoken answer to practice first.
Overview
Spring Boot builds on Spring Framework; it reduces application setup but does not replace the container or programming model.
Spring Framework provides the core application model: dependency injection, bean lifecycle, AOP, transactions, web frameworks, and integration APIs. Spring Boot builds on that foundation and makes an application easier to start through opinionated defaults, auto-configuration, starter dependencies, external configuration, and embedded server support. A Boot application still uses Spring beans and an ApplicationContext. Boot changes how much configuration you write, not the underlying meaning of dependency injection.
Checkpoint
Stronger answer
Optional upgrade with examples, trade-offs, and sharper phrasing.
For example, adding a web starter puts a coherent set of web dependencies on the classpath, and Boot conditionally configures common infrastructure if the application has not supplied its own. Without Boot, the same Spring capabilities can be assembled explicitly, but the team owns more dependency selection and configuration. Boot is not code generation and it does not configure everything unconditionally. Its defaults respond to the classpath, properties, application type, and existing beans.

Review signals

Use these to catch weak phrasing, shallow reasoning, and risky claims.

Common mistakesCandidateCommon mistakesMistakes that weaken the answer or signal shallow understanding.Open details

Details

Calling Spring Boot a replacement for Spring Framework.
Saying Boot removes the need to understand beans.
Describing auto-configuration as unconditional magic.

What is the difference between Spring Framework and Spring Boot?

Practice focus

Answer path

Overview

Review signals

Follow-up prompts

Continue practice

Next in path

Tech stacks

Skill areas

Suggest an improvement

Found this answer useful?