Oracle Java Market Share Decline and Migration Trends: 2023 Survey Insights

In 2020, Oracle dominated the JDK market with roughly 75% share, but by 2023 its share fell to 28% according to New Relic’s 2023 Java Ecosystem Report.

Azul’s recent global survey of 663 experienced Java professionals examined reasons, processes, and timelines for migrating from Oracle Java to OpenJDK‑based alternatives, emphasizing the importance of support and technical expertise.

Oracle’s share has dropped from about 75% in 2020 to 42% in 2023; 86% of Oracle Java SE users are migrating all or part of their applications away from Oracle.

Key migration drivers include cost (53% cite Oracle Java as too expensive), preference for open‑source (47% favor OpenJDK), uncertainty over pricing and licensing (38%), audit risk (25%), and unsatisfactory technical support (24%).

Approximately two‑thirds of respondents planning migration expect to complete it within two years, and 75% of those who have migrated did so within 12 months, with 23% finishing in under three months.

Most migrated organizations are satisfied with the process; two‑thirds report cost savings, 84% say the migration met expectations, 41% found it easier than expected, and 43% said it proceeded as planned.

Oracle’s 2009 acquisition of Sun and subsequent policy changes, such as ending free public updates for Java 8 in 2019 and shifting to subscription‑based licensing, have driven the shift toward open‑source JDKs.

In 2023 Oracle introduced a new pricing model based on total employee count rather than Java users, leading some customers to see cost increases of 2‑12× and heightened audit concerns; Gartner predicts over 20% of Java‑using enterprises will face Oracle audits by 2026.

Azul’s co‑founder and CEO Scott Sellers notes that the growing migration reflects increasing cost concerns and a clear preference for open‑source, more flexible, and cost‑effective Java solutions.

“A large number of users are abandoning Oracle Java because of rising pricing concerns and a shift toward open‑source alternatives. While some companies were initially hesitant, those that have migrated to OpenJDK report positive experiences.”