Navigating Oracle’s Java Licensing: Which JDK Should You Use?

Oracle’s recent announcements on Java support and subscription licensing have created confusion in the Java ecosystem. To clarify the situation, Java Champions compiled a "Java Is Still Free" document that outlines the paths for Java 8 and Java 11.

Smaller Version Iterations

Developers can still obtain free JDKs from other vendors, such as Oracle’s OpenJDK builds and community OpenJDK distributions, all of which conform to the Java SE specification.

Java SE / OpenJDK / Oracle OpenJDK / Oracle JDK

OpenJDK is the open‑source reference implementation (RI) created and maintained by the community under a GPLv2+CE license and complies with the Java SE specification managed by the JCP.

Multiple vendors (Azul, Eclipse, IBM, Red Hat, Oracle, SAP, etc.) provide Java SE implementations, with Oracle JDK being the most common.

Oracle JDK 8 entered the "public update end" phase in January 2019, ending free commercial updates. Since Java SE 9, Oracle also offers OpenJDK builds that are free for commercial use, and other vendors (Azul, IBM, Red Hat, etc.) provide free OpenJDK binaries.

All vendors must pass the full Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK) to prove compliance with the Java SE specification.

Looking ahead, developers can choose between Java SE 8 (which will follow the public‑update end process) and Java SE 11, the first Long‑Term Support (LTS) release under the new release cadence.

Continuing with Java SE 8

Oracle pledged public updates for Oracle JDK 8 until December 2020 for personal desktop use; after January 2019, commercial use requires a paid support plan or a switch to another vendor’s Java SE 8/OpenJDK 8 binary distribution.

Developers may still receive unlimited updates for Oracle JDK 8 for personal use, and alternative providers offer update and paid‑support options.

Which Free Option for Java SE 8?

For updates after January 2019, use OpenJDK binaries from providers such as Linux distributions, AdoptOpenJDK, Azul, IBM, Red Hat, and others.

Getting Java SE 11 (LTS)

Oracle now provides two tracks:

Oracle OpenJDK builds released under the GPLv2+CE license.

Oracle JDK under a commercial license (free for development use), no longer using GPLv2+CE.

Oracle plans to release updates for Oracle OpenJDK every two quarters, then switch to a six‑month cadence.

Developers can also obtain Java SE/OpenJDK binaries from other vendors (Linux distributions, AdoptOpenJDK, Azul, IBM, Red Hat, etc.), with update frequency depending on whether the release is LTS.

Which Free Option for Java SE 11+?

Use the Oracle OpenJDK version under the GPLv2+CE license, which follows the six‑month release rhythm, or choose binaries from alternative OpenJDK providers.

Paid Support

Oracle intends to provide paid support for Oracle JDK 8 until at least 2025 and for Oracle JDK 11 until at least 2026. Other companies such as Azul, IBM, and Red Hat also offer extensive paid‑support options for Java SE/OpenJDK 8 and 11 binaries.