Written completely in Java with no native calls, EspressReport deploys easily on most platforms including Windows, Solaris, Linux, Mac OS X, HP UX, and other Unix platforms.

The Report Designer interface provides an easy-to-use GUI where users can design and layout their reports visually. All report formatting commands are available within the Designer which allows complete reports to be pre-designed and limits the amount of deployment code necessary to run reports. The Report Designer can run as an application, it can be loaded remotely through a Web browser with zero client install, and it can even be integrated within other applications and launched via the API in a number of different configurations.

EspressReport can directly retrieve data from relational databases (JDBC), XML files, text files, and EJBs. Data from Java objects/arrays can be retrieved through a class file or passed into the report at run-time via the API.

EspressReport provides several different query tools for reports running against relational databases. For advanced users, EspressReport offers the capability to write SQL statements with full control over the query. For intermediate users, a graphical query builder is provided which allows users to construct queries in a point and click QBE interface. For users without knowledge of the underlying database structure, EspressReport provides Data Views interface in which they can easily define queries by pre-arranged fields and functions. Data Views allows administrators to translate complicated database names/structures into a folder/field hierarchy organized according to the user preferences. These local "catalogs" allow users to easily select fields and write simple filtering conditions.

EspressReport provides an extensive built-in charting library. Users can easily plot report data in one of over 30 different 2D and 3D chart types. Three-dimensional charts are rendered in true 3D, allowing data series to be plotted on the Z axis, as well as pan/zoom, rotation, and light source modifications. The imbedded Chart Designer allows users to edit chart properties visually before inserting them into a report.

With a pure API-based deployment configuration, EspressReport easily integrates into virtually any application environment. With no proprietary servers required to deliver reports, the reporting engine can be embedded directly in an application server. This allows users to leverage the scalability of their existing platforms. With a deployment package as simple as a couple of API classes and report templates, EspressReport can be completely integrated within third party applications.