Why Developers Are Ditching Oracle Java and How to Switch to OpenJDK

Based on Oracle's employee‑based subscription model, a market study shows only 14% of Java subscribers plan to keep using Oracle’s flagship Java Runtime Environment.

Current Oracle Java Runtime

Among 663 surveyed Java users, 36% have already moved to the employee‑based pricing introduced in January 2023. Experts warn that users adopting this model will face steep price hikes.

By July, Gartner predicted that the new subscription package could cost 2‑5 times more than the previous usage‑based model.

Independent research by Dimensional Research found that 53% of the 86% of respondents using Oracle Java SE consider the environment too expensive, and many are migrating some or all Java applications away from Oracle.

Reasons for migration: 47% prefer open‑source software, 38% cite pricing, licensing and support uncertainty.

The study was sponsored by Azul, which supports open‑source Java platforms.

Azul CEO Scott Sellers said the main driver for switching from Oracle Java is cost, and the new pricing will likely amplify this concern. He added that enterprises increasingly value open‑source alternatives, with free OpenJDK builds from Azul, Amazon, and Microsoft available.

To support OpenJDK in production, 46% of users choose paid platforms such as Bellsoft Liberica, IBM Semeru or Azul Platform Core; 45% use free support platforms like Amazon Corretto or Microsoft Build of OpenJDK; 37% use completely free, unsupported platforms.

Among those who have moved to OpenJDK, 25% say Oracle’s price is too high, and 41% say its licensing is more expensive than alternatives.

The survey shows three‑quarters of Java application migrations will be completed within a year, with 23% finishing in three months.

How to Remove and Replace Oracle JDK

If you want to delete Oracle JDK 8 and install OpenJDK 11, follow these steps.

Before starting, check the Java version: java -version First, delete Oracle JDK with the following commands:

sudo rm -rf /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_151.jdk
sudo rm -rf /Library/PreferencePanes/JavaControlPanel.prefPane
sudo rm -rf /Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin
sudo rm -rf /Library/LaunchAgents/com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist
sudo rm -rf /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper
sudo rm -rf /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist
sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist

After uninstalling, installing OpenJDK is simple:

brew cask install java

Finally, verify the Java version again:

java -version

Good luck with the migration!

Author: Luo Yi

Related reading:

Fundamental differences between Oracle JDK and OpenJDK

Java creator James Gosling announces “retirement”

Oracle licensing team tightens Java enforcement