Why Are Developers Abandoning Oracle Java? Survey Reveals Cost and Licensing Concerns

In 2020 Oracle dominated the JDK market with roughly 75% share, but its share fell to about 34% in 2022 and further to 28% (or 42% according to later data) by 2023, according to the New Relic 2023 Java Ecosystem Report.

Azul recently released a global survey of 663 experienced Java professionals to assess reactions to Oracle's pricing, policies, and support. The report explores why users migrate from Oracle Java to OpenJDK‑based alternatives, the migration process and timeline, and the importance of support and technical expertise for OpenJDK distributions.

Oracle's share among Java users has been declining, dropping from about 75% in 2020 to 42% in 2023. The survey indicates that 86% of Oracle Java SE users are migrating or plan to migrate away from Oracle.

Key reasons for migration include:

Cost : 53% say Oracle Java is too expensive.

Preference for open‑source : 47% prefer open‑source distributions such as OpenJDK.

Uncertainty : 38% cite changes in Oracle's pricing, licensing, and support.

Audit risk : 25% worry about potential Oracle audits of Java usage.

Technical support : 24% feel Oracle's support does not meet expectations.

About two‑thirds of respondents planning to migrate expect to complete the move within two years; 75% of those who have migrated finished within 12 months, and 23% completed it in less than three months.

Most migrated organizations are satisfied with the process, timeline, and outcomes, with two‑thirds reporting cost savings after switching to OpenJDK.

Historically, Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems in April 2009 for $7.4 billion, with Larry Ellison calling Java “the most important software asset we bought.” After the acquisition, Oracle’s policies—such as ending free public updates for Java 8 in January 2019 and moving to a paid subscription model—were perceived as detrimental, prompting a surge in alternative OpenJDK distributions.

In 2023 Oracle introduced a new pricing model based on total company headcount rather than the number of Java users, leading some customers to see cost increases of 2‑12× and heightened audit pressure. Gartner predicts that by 2026 more than 20% of enterprises running Java applications will face Oracle audits, incurring unexpected compliance costs.

“Massive user abandonment of Oracle Java is driven by growing concerns over pricing changes and a clear shift toward open‑source alternatives. While some companies were initially hesitant, those that have migrated to OpenJDK report positive experiences. It’s evident that the Java community is voting with its feet for more cost‑effective, flexible, and open solutions.” – Scott Sellers, Co‑Founder & CEO of Azul