Oracle Java Migration Trends: Cost, Licensing, and OpenJDK Adoption

Java developers know there are two main JDK distributions, Oracle JDK and OpenJDK, which are functionally similar but differ in licensing: OpenJDK is an open‑source project maintained by Oracle, Red Hat and the community, while Oracle JDK is closed‑source and requires a paid license.

Azul Systems, a company focused on Java and JVM technology, reports a strong trend of users moving applications from Oracle Java to other platforms, with many migrations proceeding smoothly and often exceeding expectations.

According to Azul’s global Oracle Java usage, pricing, and migration survey, 86% of Oracle Java users are migrating all or part of their workloads to alternative platforms, driven by cost reduction, a preference for open source, uncertainty over Oracle’s pricing changes, and concerns about Java usage audits.

More than eight‑in‑ten companies that have already left Oracle Java say the migration was easier than expected; three‑quarters completed it within 12 months and nearly a quarter finished within three months.

Among 663 surveyed Java professionals, over half consider Oracle Java’s price too high, and 47% prefer open‑source distributions such as OpenJDK.

Last year Oracle switched its pricing model from usage‑based to per‑employee licensing; 40% of respondents cited ongoing pricing, licensing, and support changes as migration drivers, while another 25% mentioned concerns about Java usage audits and unsatisfactory Oracle support.

Azul co‑founder and CEO Scott Sellers states that Java users are seeking alternatives to Oracle Java SE that address licensing, support costs, and audit risks.

He adds that companies that have adopted commercially‑supported OpenJDK distributions report smooth migrations and significant cost savings.

Azul’s data shows Oracle’s share of the JDK market has fallen from about 75% in 2020 to 42% in 2023.

Two‑thirds of companies that switched from Oracle Java to OpenJDK distributions saved costs, and 83% of Java professionals say they need production‑grade support, whether as paid support, bundled with cloud/infrastructure platforms, or both.

When evaluating paid support for OpenJDK distributions, respondents rank technical expertise (61%), timely releases and fixes (54%), customer support (42%), stable security updates (40%), and migration expertise (39%) as the top factors.

Overall, the survey indicates a clear shift in the Java community toward more cost‑effective, flexible, and open solutions, with many organizations voting with their feet for OpenJDK‑based ecosystems.