Migrating from Oracle Java to OpenJDK: Advisory for CIOs and IT Procurement

In recent years, Oracle’s Java licensing and support changes have prompted many enterprises to rethink their Java strategy. Oracle Java (Oracle’s JDK) is no longer “free” for commercial use – it now requires costly subscriptions and entails complex compliance obligations. In response, organizations are increasingly turning to OpenJDK, the open-source Java, to regain control and cut costs. This article provides an in-depth advisory on why and how to migrate from Oracle Java to OpenJDK in large enterprises. We’ll explore the motivations (cost, licensing, risk), step-by-step migration planning, technical considerations, commercial risk comparisons, tooling for assessment, real-world case examples, a comparison table of Oracle vs OpenJDK, and actionable recommendations for CIOs and procurement leaders.

Why Enterprises Are Moving from Oracle Java to OpenJDK

Escalating Costs and Licensing Changes: Oracle’s licensing model for Java has dramatically changed. In 2019, Oracle began requiring subscriptions for Java SE in production (ending the free updates for Java 8 and introducing a restrictive license for Java 11). Then in 2023, Oracle shifted to a Java SE Universal Subscription priced per employee rather than per server – a change Gartner described as a “seismic shift” that caught companies off guard. Many organizations saw their projected Java licensing costs jump by 2× to 5× under Oracle’s new per-employee pricing. For example, a mid-sized enterprise with 5,000 employees would face roughly $630,000 per year in Java fees under Oracle’s model, paying for something historically free. One analysis showed a company with 250 employees (with modest Java usage) would see costs explode from about $3,000 annually to $45,000 under the new scheme – a 1400% increase. These budget impacts are driving CIOs and CFOs to seek alternatives.

Compliance Risk and Audit Pressure: Oracle’s licensing changes introduced significant compliance risk along with higher costs. The rules (and fine print) are complex, and it’s easy to inadvertently run afoul of them. For instance, using Oracle’s JDK 8 or 11 in production today without a paid subscription is technically a license violation in most cases. Oracle has ramped up enforcement: In 2022, 52% of Oracle’s license audits worldwide involved Java, a startling figure showing how aggressively Oracle is policing Java usage as a revenue source. Companies running Oracle Java without proper licenses risk surprise audit bills and legal exposure. This compliance “time bomb” has made Java a board-level concern in many enterprises. One survey found 27% of organizations cited Oracle’s aggressive audits as a key reason for leaving Oracle Java.

Preference for Open Source and Flexibility: Beyond cost and audits, many enterprises prefer not to depend on a single vendor for a critical platform like Java. OpenJDK is open-source and has broad industry backing, which appeals to organizations seeking a more sustainable, community-driven path. In a 2024 global survey of 663 Java professionals, 86% of enterprises reported migrating at least some of their applications off Oracle Java, with the top reasons being cost (cited by 53% of respondents), a preference for open-source alternatives (47%), uncertainty over Oracle’s licensing changes (38%), and audit concerns (27%). In other words, most Java users are now moving toward OpenJDK-based distributions to save money, gain stability, and avoid vendor lock-in. Oracle’s frequent licensing changes and “moving target” free periods (the No-Fee Terms that require constant upgrades to stay free) have created uncertainty. By contrast, OpenJDK offers a stable, predictable licensing situation – free and open, with no sudden fees, which gives enterprises peace of mind.

Summing up the Why: Oracle Java now entails substantial direct costs and indirect risks, whereas OpenJDK offers cost savings, simplicity, and control. Oracle’s Java subscriptions can run into millions annually for large firms, effectively a Java “tax” year after year. On the other hand, OpenJDK usage costs nothing in licensing – $0 – allowing those funds to be reallocated to innovation or other priorities. The only potential costs with OpenJDK are optional, such as support contracts or internal resources to manage updates, which are usually trivial compared to Oracle’s fees. This is a compelling equation for a CIO balancing IT budgets and risks. It’s little wonder that industry analysts advise considering a move to OpenJDK to avoid exorbitant costs and compliance risks.

Planning the Migration: Evaluation through Execution

Migrating from Oracle JDK to OpenJDK in a large, complex environment requires careful planning and coordination. Below are detailed steps to evaluate, plan, test, and execute the migration:

1. Audit Your Java Footprint – Inventory all Java installations across the enterprise. Start by discovering where Java (the JDK or JRE) is installed and used. This includes obvious places (application servers, middleware, developer workstations) and less obvious ones (embedded Java in third-party software, build pipelines, CI/CD tools, desktop applications, etc.). Many organizations are surprised to find how widespread Java is – “you’d be staggered what’s running on Java,” as one IT leader said. Use IT asset management tools and scripts to scan systems for Java installations. For example, you can search for Java server executables or use registry queries on Windows to find installed JDKs. Some network inventory tools provide ready-made reports to identify Oracle JDK instances on your network. Don’t forget to check for Java bundled within other software and third-party applications that ship with an Oracle JRE in their install directories (these also count as Oracle Java usage). Also, review container images and VMs to see if any include Oracle Java. The goal is a comprehensive list of where each Java runtime is, which version, and whether it’s Oracle’s build or another. This inventory is the foundation for all subsequent steps.
2. Assess License Compliance and Risk – Determine which Java installations require an Oracle license and gauge your exposure. For each Oracle JDK you found, verify if it’s being used in a way that requires a paid subscription. Oracle’s rules vary by version and use case. For example, Java 8 updates after January 2019 require a subscription for commercial use, and Java 11+ under the OTN license likewise requires a subscription for most uses. Unless an installation is strictly used under a permitted scenario (development use, or Oracle’s short-term “no-fee” window on the latest LTS), assume a subscription is needed. Many firms discover dozens or hundreds of Oracle Java instances running without proper licensing, especially older Java 8 or 11 runtimes installed back when Java was free and never removed. Quantify how many installations are out of compliance and the potential back-license cost if Oracle were to audit today. This exercise often uncovers a significant compliance risk (“a ticking time bomb” on those old unlicensed JDKs). Document these risks to build urgency around the migration initiative. It’s far better to identify and address any compliance gap yourself than to be caught by an Oracle audit.
3. Build the Business Case (Cost and Benefit Analysis) – Calculate the financial and operational impact of staying on Oracle vs. migrating to OpenJDK. Work with your finance or procurement team to model a 5-year TCO for both scenarios. In the Oracle Java scenario, include subscription costs under Oracle’s new per-employee pricing (and remember that Oracle counts all employees, even those not using Java). Project this over several years, accounting for company growth (new employees mean higher fees). Then model the OpenJDK scenario: licensing cost is zero, so the expenses might only be support contracts (if you opt for a support vendor) or additional staffing for update management. The difference will likely be enormous, often on the order of tens of percent of the IT budget. Many enterprises can save 50% or more on Java-related costs by switching, translating to millions of dollars over a few years. Some have reported savings as high as 90% in certain cases by eliminating the Oracle fee. Also consider the “soft” benefits: eliminating compliance risk (potentially avoiding unplanned audit penalties) and avoiding operational disruptions tied to Oracle’s licensing (like forced upgrades). By quantifying these factors, you can make a compelling business case. Present these findings to executive stakeholders – CIO, CFO, and IT procurement leaders – to secure buy-in. Often, seeing the stark cost difference (paying Oracle’s “Java tax” vs. essentially free OpenJDK) makes the decision straightforward.
4. Choose an OpenJDK Distribution and Support Model – Decide which build of OpenJDK to adopt and how you will support it. OpenJDK is not a single product but an open standard, with multiple providers offering builds. Common choices include Eclipse Temurin (the Adoptium project, successor to AdoptOpenJDK), Red Hat’s build of OpenJDK (included in RHEL subscriptions), Azul Zulu, Amazon Corretto, Microsoft Build of OpenJDK, IBM Semeru/OpenJ9, and others. All of these are based on the same OpenJDK source and are TCK-certified (meaning they pass the Java SE compatibility tests), so your applications should run the same on any of them. When choosing, consider the following: What is the provider’s update and support policy? For instance, some vendors offer free long-term support (LTS) updates for older versions longer than Oracle does (Amazon will support Java 8 through at least 2030, for example). Also, decide if you need a commercial support contract. Many enterprises rarely use Oracle’s support – one survey found that most organizations never actually filed support tickets with Oracle; they simply applied patches. If you have strong in-house Java expertise, you may use OpenJDK without paid support and handle updates internally. Alternatively, you can purchase support from a vendor like Red Hat, Azul, Amazon, IBM, or others, often at a far lower cost than Oracle’s support. The beauty of OpenJDK is that you have options: you can start free, and if you later need enterprise support, you can shop among several providers on competitive terms. Decide which route aligns with your risk tolerance and budget. Tip: Standardize on one primary JDK distribution for consistency (e.g., decide “we will use Temurin 17 across all apps”), but remain open to switching if needed since all are interchangeable. Ensure the chosen distribution is well-maintained (regular security patches) and is respected in the community. Many CIOs are comforted that tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, and Red Hat all back OpenJDK and even distribute their own JDK builds – a sign that OpenJDK is a robust, mainstream choice.
5. Pilot Testing with OpenJDK – Prove that OpenJDK works in your environment by testing with real applications. Conducting a pilot before a full migration is wise to surface any unforeseen issues and build confidence. Identify a representative subset of applications and environments to switch to OpenJDK first. Good candidates might be non-critical systems or internal applications and apps that do not use Oracle-specific extensions (most apps do not). Install your chosen OpenJDK distribution (e.g., Temurin, Zulu, Corretto) in parallel with the existing Oracle JDK and run the applications at your own pace. Virtually all Java applications on Oracle JDK will run on OpenJDK unchanged, since the bytecode and APIs are the same. Nonetheless, perform due diligence: run your full QA test suites, check integration with monitoring or management tools, and compare performance metrics.
   In most cases, the switch is transparent – application behavior and performance remain indistinguishable from Oracle JDK. (If you encounter an issue, it’s likely due to an environmental configuration or an ancient third-party library expecting the Oracle JDK installer – such issues are rare and usually have workarounds.) Many organizations first migrate their development and test environments to OpenJDK as part of the pilot. This allows developers to validate builds and ensure compatibility early, and also signals that Oracle JDK is no longer the default internally. Use the pilot phase to update any operational scripts (for example, if your server deployment scripts explicitly refer to an “Oracle” JDK path, update them to the new OpenJDK path) and to train the ops team on managing the new JDK if there are slight differences (for instance, package names or install locations). The outcome of the pilot should be a green light – confirmation that OpenJDK can be a drop-in replacement in your stack. Surveys show 84% of organizations that migrated off Oracle Java found the process easier or as expected, and most (75%) completed the migration within 12 months. Starting with a pilot will give your team confidence and valuable experience before the full rollout.
6. Execute the Migration Rollout – Plan and implement the wider deployment of OpenJDK across the enterprise. With successful pilot results, proceed to migrate all remaining Java workloads systematically. It often makes sense to adopt a phased rollout: Phase 1: Migrate non-production and lower-tier environments. Replace Oracle JDK with OpenJDK on development machines, test servers, and staging environments first. This ensures your development pipeline is fully aligned with OpenJDK early on. Phase 2: Migrate less critical production applications and internal services. These could be applications that have maintenance windows or are not 24/7 mission-critical. Monitor these systems closely post-migration (though if the pilot was thorough, issues are not expected).Phase 3: Migrate the most critical, high-volume production systems (e.g., revenue-generating apps). By this stage, you’ll have confidence from Phases 1 and 2, and any kinks in deployment processes will have been ironed out. During each phase, coordinate with application owners and business stakeholders to schedule downtime if needed (many Java apps can switch JDK with a simple restart, but be cautious with any that might have JNI/native library dependencies – those usually aren’t affected by JDK vendor, but ensure testing). It’s a good practice to run Oracle JDK and OpenJDK side-by-side for a short period on a given server (if resources permit) to compare behavior under production load, then remove Oracle JDK after validation. In large desktop environments (e.g., thousands of developer PCs or user workstations with Java), you can use automated software distribution tools to push OpenJDK and remove Oracle JDK. (One global bank famously migrated tens of thousands of desktops from Oracle JDK to OpenJDK over a weekend, highlighting that even massive migrations can be swift with automation.) Throughout the rollout, maintain documentation of changes and ensure your CMDB (Configuration Management Database) is updated to reflect the new standard JDK in each system. It’s also wise to keep an archive of the last Oracle JDK binaries you had (for version reference), but in the future, they should no longer be used in runtime. After each phase, hold a retrospective to capture lessons learned and adjust the plan for the next phase if needed. By the end of this process, Oracle JDK should be fully retired from your environments.
7. Handle Legacy Java Needs – Plan for applications that cannot be upgraded or require older Java versions. In a large enterprise, it’s common to have a few legacy systems stuck on very old Java versions (Java 6, 7, or a specific update of 8) due to application constraints. Oracle has long since ended support for those versions or moved them behind expensive extended support contracts. The good news is that switching to OpenJDK doesn’t mean abandoning those systems – it can help extend their life safely. Several vendors offer third-party support for legacy Java versions. For example, Azul provides security patches for Java 6 and 7 (and extended support for Java 8) independent of Oracle. By migrating those applications to an OpenJDK build (e.g., Azul’s builds for Java 6/7), you can continue to get critical fixes without paying Oracle’s exorbitant fees for extended support. Another strategy is to containerize the legacy app with its Java runtime, isolating it while you work on a long-term replacement; this doesn’t remove Oracle JDK, but if it’s a fixed environment, you might decide to live with that one instance until decommission. Identify these exceptions and decide on a case-by-case plan: either migrate to an OpenJDK equivalent or isolate and minimize Oracle usage. Also, ensure you establish a process for ongoing patch management of Java. OpenJDK releases quarterly updates (much like Oracle’s CPU patches) – you should track these and apply them promptly via your vendor’s updates or by downloading the latest builds. Set a calendar reminder or integrate this into your regular patch cycle. The goal is to maintain the same level of security vigilance you would under Oracle support. With OpenJDK, you must be proactive (unless you have a support partner handling it), but the community and vendors are very transparent about updates. Updating your Java runtimes is crucial to mitigate security risks, regardless of vendor.
8. Communicate and Educate Stakeholders – Throughout the migration, keep stakeholders informed and address concerns. It’s important to treat this not just as a technical swap, but as a strategic initiative for the company. Ensure senior leadership (CIO, CFO) is updated on progress and success – for example, report when you’ve eliminated X dollars of potential Oracle fees by migrating Y systems. This reinforces why the project is valuable. Enterprise architects, application owners, and development team leaders should also be involved. Developers might have questions or misconceptions (“Is OpenJDK the same? Will our apps break?”); take time to explain that OpenJDK is the same Java they’ve always used (Oracle’s engineers contribute to OpenJDK) and that it’s fully compatible. Emphasize that most of the world now runs on OpenJDK, including major software companies – it’s a proven standard. By proactively communicating the reasons for the change (e.g., “We’re switching to OpenJDK to avoid a seven-figure spend and eliminate compliance risk, with no loss in functionality or support”), you can get buy-in and reduce any fear, uncertainty, and doubt. It can help to frame the migration as part of a broader IT strategy, such as a cost-optimization and modernization effort that frees up the budget for innovation. From the procurement angle, communicate with your software asset management and sourcing teams so they understand that Oracle Java is being phased out – this way, they can handle Oracle’s sales inquiries or audit requests appropriately (e.g., inform auditors that those Oracle JDK installations have been decommissioned or replaced). Good communication ensures everyone pulls in the same direction and the migration’s benefits are fully realized.
9. Stay Informed and Adaptive – Monitor the Java landscape even after migration. Oracle’s licensing policies for Java may continue to evolve (as we’ve seen), and new Java versions will arrive regularly (Java releases a new LTS roughly every two years). Keep an eye on announcements from Oracle and the OpenJDK community. For example, if Oracle introduces a more favorable license or a new free tier, you’d want to evaluate its implications. Similarly, track the release calendar for Java LTS versions and community support timelines. A best practice is to maintain a simple roadmap for your Java platform: know when Java 17 or 21 reaches community end-of-support and plan your upgrades accordingly (with OpenJDK, you can time your upgrades, but you should still plan them to stay secure). Also, watch what third-party Java providers are doing – they may launch enhanced offerings or tools that could benefit your operations (for instance, better monitoring tools or management platforms for heterogeneous Java environments). The key is to be proactive: with Oracle no longer dictating your Java lifecycle, you are in control, which is great, but it also means you must consciously manage that responsibility. Fortunately, a vibrant OpenJDK ecosystem exists, and by staying engaged with it (through webinars, user groups, or vendor updates), you can optimize your Java strategy over the long term.

Following these steps, a large enterprise can methodically transition from Oracle’s JDK to OpenJDK with minimal disruption and significant upside. The process requires cross-functional coordination (IT ops, app teams, asset management, procurement, security), but it is achievable, as evidenced by the many companies that have done it successfully.

Performance, Compatibility, and Patching Differences

One common concern when migrating is whether any technical differences between Oracle’s JDK and OpenJDK would impact applications. The short answer is no – they are equivalent from a functionality and performance standpoint. Oracle JDK and OpenJDK share the same codebase and are built to the same Java SE specifications. Since Java 11, Oracle’s JDK has essentially been a repackaged build of OpenJDK with just a different license and support model. Any Java code on Oracle JDK will run on OpenJDK, as both must pass the Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK) for Java SE. There are no differences between how Oracle JDK and OpenJDK execute Java-compliant code. Features that used to be Oracle-only (like Java Flight Recorder and Mission Control) have been open-sourced and are available in OpenJDK. In short, you are not losing any core capability by switching.

Performance is virtually identical between Oracle JDK and OpenJDK for the same version. They use the same HotSpot JVM and JIT compiler so that you can expect enterprise-grade performance from OpenJDK equal to Oracle’s build. Benchmarks consistently show no significant performance gap. (I know some OpenJDK distributors offer specialized builds tuned for specific use cases – e.g., Azul’s Zing/Prime JVM for low-latency –, I can improve performance, but the baseline OpenJDK = Oracle JDK in speed for equivalent configurations.) During migration pilots, companies typically observe that CPU usage, memory, and response times on OpenJDK are on par with previous Oracle JDK metrics, confirming that performance should not be a blocker.

The same compatibility with libraries and frameworks is also true. OpenJDK is Java, period. The vast ecosystem of Java frameworks (Spring, Jakarta EE, Hadoop, etc.) and libraries does not distinguish between Oracle and OpenJDK regarding runtime. The only compatibility issue that sometimes arises is tooling that explicitly looks for “Oracle JDK” by name – for example, an older monitoring agent checking for the Oracle JVM process. Such cases are rare and usually resolved by updates (because most vendors now officially support OpenJDK). Ensuring you use a TCK-certified OpenJDK build is sufficient to guarantee standard Java compatibility.

Patching and Updates: Both Oracle JDK and OpenJDK follow a similar release cadence for updates, delivering critical patches on a quarterly cycle (aligned with Oracle’s Critical Patch Update schedule). Oracle contributes fixes to the OpenJDK project, which propagates to all distributions. The difference lies in access and support duration. Oracle’s free updates for a given Java version are time-limited – under the NFTC license, once a new LTS is out for a year, Oracle stops providing free updates for the previous LTS. You must upgrade to the next version or pay Oracle for a support subscription to get further patches.

From a support perspective, Oracle offers paid customers 24×7 support and hands-on assistance for Java issues. OpenJDK doesn’t come with “official” support (just software). Still, you have multiple support options: you can rely on community forums, or more typically, purchase support from companies like Red Hat, Azul, or other Java service providers. These third-party support offerings can be quite mature. For instance, Red Hat and Azul have dedicated Java engineering teams and offer SLAs that many find as good as Oracle’s support, often at a fraction of the cost. Some OpenJDK vendors bundle support with other services (e.g., Red Hat includes OpenJDK support as part of a RHEL subscription). The key point is that critical patches will be available for OpenJDK just as they are for Oracle JDK – you won’t be at risk security-wise if you switch, so long as you have a process to apply those patches. You can obtain enterprise-grade support for OpenJDK from several competing vendors if your business requires it.

Technology differences are negligible in summary: OpenJDK provides the same Java platform and performance as Oracle JDK. Differences arise in how updates are obtained and supported (pay Oracle vs. use community or third-party), but those can be managed to meet enterprise needs. Many large organizations (including financial institutions, governments, and software vendors) have already run OpenJDK in production for years with no issues. From a technical standpoint, CIOs and IT leaders can be confident that migrating to OpenJDK does not compromise quality or reliability.

Commercial Risks: Oracle Java vs. OpenJDK

Sticking with Oracle’s Java versus migrating to OpenJDK presents very different risk profiles for the enterprise. Here are the key commercial considerations:

• Ongoing License & Support Costs: Oracle Java entails a substantial and growing financial commitment. If you remain with Oracle, you are locking in perpetual subscription payments (now calculated per employee) to use the Java runtime. Oracle has significant pricing power here – once you’re on their subscription, they could increase rates or change terms at renewal, and you’d have little choice but to pay or undertake a migration under duress. This unpredictability is a risk to budgeting. By contrast, OpenJDK has no license cost at all. Even if you pay for third-party support, those contracts generally cost less and are more flexible (and you can bid them out among vendors). The cost risk with Oracle (often dubbed the “Java tax”) is eliminated with OpenJDK.
• Vendor Lock-In vs. Flexibility: Relying on Oracle JDK means Oracle is the sole source for your Java updates and support. This concentrates leverage in Oracle’s hands – a classic vendor lock-in. It can impact your negotiating position (Oracle knows replacing them is hard, so that they can hold firm on prices). It also means Oracle’s decisions (end-of-life timelines, support periods) dictate your IT roadmap. In contrast, OpenJDK puts you back in control and introduces competition. OpenJDK is an open standard with many available distributions; you can switch from one provider to another (say, from one Linux vendor’s OpenJDK to another’s) overnight with no code changes. This flexibility means no single vendor can “hold you hostage.” If you are unhappy with a support vendor, you move to another. If a particular distribution ends, you move to the next – the underlying Java is the same. This multi-vendor ecosystem greatly mitigates long-term strategic risk. It ensures Java’s viability isn’t dependent on Oracle’s goodwill; the platform will remain available and updated through community collaboration.
• Compliance and Legal Exposure: As discussed, using Oracle Java carries a significant compliance burden. If you mismanage it (even accidentally), the legal and financial fallout can be severe – Oracle’s rigorous compliance audits can result in hefty back-charges. This risk particularly haunts organizations that don’t have tight software asset management; a simple oversight like an installed Oracle JRE on a server could trigger a non-compliance issue. On OpenJDK, this risk is essentially zero. There is no scenario where running OpenJDK in production requires paying license fees or penalties. The worst-case compliance issue with OpenJDK would be if you redistributed it with your product and didn’t adhere to the open-source license (GPL), but this is not a concern for internal use. Thus, switching to OpenJDK removes the Oracle legal threat vector entirely. Many CIOs see this as a huge relief – it’s one less thing to worry about in software license risk.
• Support Model and SLAs: Oracle positions its paid support as a key reason to stay (access to patches, hot-fixes, and expert help). However, as noted, many organizations rarely used Oracle’s support. There are strong alternatives if you need mission-critical support: vendors like Azul and Red Hat offer 24×7 support for OpenJDK with SLAs that match or exceed Oracle’s, often staffing their support lines with JVM engineers who deeply understand the code. Additionally, open-source communities (e.g., mailing lists, Stack Overflow, user groups) can surprisingly respond to common issues. The risk of “what if something goes wrong at 2 AM” can be addressed by having a support contract with an OpenJDK provider. You’re not left alone – you have a different company (or your internal team) supporting you instead of Oracle. It’s worth noting that even Oracle’s support for Java can be limited – they will fix bugs and provide updates, but they won’t debug your application code for you. Third-party support can be just as effective for the typical scope of JVM issues.
• Roadmap and Innovation: By moving off Oracle, you avoid being forced into Oracle’s upgrade cadence. Oracle’s NFTC licensing essentially mandates upgrading to each new LTS within a year of release to stay free, which might not align with your business or application readiness. With OpenJDK, you can plan upgrades on your timeline (while getting security patches for the older version as needed). This can reduce upgrade-related risk. Also, using OpenJDK opens the door to adopting improvements from the broader ecosystem. For instance, without Oracle’s restrictions, you could choose a JVM with better performance for your use case (like OpenJ9 for a lower memory footprint or Azul’s Zing for ultra-low latency). In the long run, you have a richer menu of Java innovations than whatever Oracle bundles into their offering. Essentially, you regain technical agility.

In weighing these factors, it’s clear that the Oracle path carries higher cost and vendor-centric risk. In contrast, the OpenJDK path offers cost savings, freedom from one-vendor control, and reduced compliance worries. Indeed, industry trends reflect this: as of late 2024, only about 14% of organizations surveyed planned to stick solely with Oracle’s Java, with the rest migrating to OpenJDK-based alternatives in whole or part. The momentum is strongly toward an open, vendor-neutral Java world. For a CIO, the commercial risk of not moving (i.e., staying with Oracle and potentially facing spiraling costs or an audit) increasingly outweighs the perceived risk of moving (which technical evidence shows is quite low). In short, staying with Oracle is becoming the riskier bet – financially and strategically – whereas moving to OpenJDK puts you in control of your destiny with Java.

Tools and Techniques to Assess Java Usage

A successful migration begins with knowing exactly what you have. Therefore, discovering and assessing current Java usage is a critical first task. Here are tools and techniques to help CIOs and IT teams get a handle on their Java footprint:

• Software Inventory Tools (ITAM) – Leverage your existing IT asset management tools (if available) to scan for installed Java versions. Many endpoint management systems can list installed software by name. However, be cautious: Oracle JDK might not always appear as “Oracle Java” in program lists (especially on Linux, where it might just be a package like jdk1.8.0_xx). Ensure your tools are searching for known markers of Oracle JDK installations. Products like Flexera, Snow License Manager, or Lansweeper can be configured to detect Java. In fact, after Oracle’s 2023 pricing change, vendors like Lansweeper released specialized Java audit reports to help companies find Oracle JDK instances on Windows and Linux. Using such reports or queries can jump-start your inventory process.
• Custom Scripting – You can deploy scripts to discover Java installations without a commercial tool. For example, a PowerShell script on Windows can scan the registry for JavaHome entries or search common installation directories (Program Files\Java\jdk*). On Linux/Unix, scripts can search for Java binaries in standard locations or use package managers (e.g., rpm -qa | grep -i java for RPM-based systems) to list installed JDK packages. You might also script a check that runs java -version on machines to capture what version and vendor string is reported – Oracle’s JDK reports itself distinctly (e.g., “Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment… build 1. x.x Oracle”). In contrast, OpenJDK will say “OpenJDK Runtime Environment”. This can help differentiate Oracle vs. non-Oracle instances in an automated way.
• Datacenter and Cloud Scanning – Don’t forget to scan your server environments, both on-prem and cloud VMs. Java is often pre-installed on base images or baked into application servers. Use configuration management databases (CMDBs) and cloud inventory tools to identify any VMs with Oracle Java. If using containers, search your container registry for images that include Oracle JDK layers (some older official images or app images might have oracle/jdk As a base, those should be updated to OpenJDK base images.
• Application Vendor Survey – Reach out to software vendors in your portfolio to confirm if any bundled Java is Oracle’s. For instance, some enterprise applications historically shipped with an embedded Oracle JRE. It might be under an old Binary Code License (BCL), which was free for that specific bundle, but after 2019, even that became murky. Ask vendors for clarity or check their documentation. If they bundle Oracle JRE, treat it like an Oracle installation in your inventory (and ask if they have moved to OpenJDK in newer versions – many have, to avoid putting their customers in licensing binds).
• Engage Development Teams – Sometimes developers or DevOps engineers have installed Oracle JDK on build servers or in CI pipelines (because historically they always grabbed Java from Oracle’s site). Send out a questionnaire or hold a brief meeting with the dev team leads to uncover such uses. They might say, “Oh yes, our Jenkins agents use Oracle JDK 8 because we needed to test something.” Those instances need to be tracked. The development organization can also help identify potential compatibility concerns ahead of time (though again, such issues are rare with OpenJDK).
• Use Oracle’s Java Usage Tracker (if available) – Oracle JDK 8 had a feature called Java Usage Tracker that could log usage of the JRE on a system. If you are in a position to use it on existing installations, it might give some insight into how often certain instances are used and by which applications. However, implementing that across the board just for discovery may be overkill. It’s more important to know where Java is installed and running; how heavily it’s used can be gauged from app owners.
• Consultants or Audit Services – If your environment is especially large and you lack internal resources, consider engaging consultants specializing in Oracle license audits (many now offer Java audit services). They have tools and scripts to quickly map out Java usage and can identify any lurking compliance gaps. This can be useful if you want an independent validation of your inventory.

When performing the discovery, ensure you record key details for each Java instance: the system name, location, Java version (e.g., Java 8 update 271), vendor (Oracle, OpenJDK, IBM, etc.), and purpose (which application or user relies on it). This information will inform migration planning – e.g., grouping which apps can move to which OpenJDK version.

It’s worth noting that many organizations initially underestimate how much Java they have. Azul’s VP famously said, “Many don’t know how much they have, who’s using it, or where it resides”. This unknown is a risk, so investing time in a thorough audit is crucial. Once done, you will have a clear map of your Java estate and can proceed confidently with transition plans.

Case Studies and Examples of Successful Migrations

Many enterprises have navigated the move from Oracle to OpenJDK, reaping substantial benefits. Here are a few examples and insights:

• Global Bank Saves Millions: One large financial institution (a global bank) migrated tens of thousands of desktop Java installations from Oracle JDK to OpenJDK, essentially in one weekend. They leveraged automated deployment tools to push OpenJDK to every machine and remove Oracle’s version. The migration was seamless – end-users and applications noticed no difference except a different installation path. This bank avoided a huge renewal bill from Oracle and neutralized the audit risk across their client machines. Azul, the OpenJDK provider involved, noted that this bank was not alone – many others are undertaking similar bulk migrations due to Oracle’s pricing changes.
• Survey: Smooth Transitions Are Common: Industry survey data shows that those who have migrated off Oracle generally find it easier than expected. As mentioned, 84% of organizations reported their migration was as expected or easier, and 75% completed it in under a year. This counters the fear that a Java runtime change is a massive upheaval – for most, it’s a routine infrastructure update. Companies often start small and then accelerate once they see that nothing breaks. A strong testing regimen is key, but the platform’s standardization already takes care of the heavy lifting (Java compatibility).
• Dramatic Cost Savings: The primary motivation, cost reduction, has indeed materialized for those who switched. Organizations have reported about 50% savings in Java-related costs over a multi-year period. Some specific cases achieved even higher savings – up to 80-90% – especially if they faced backdated Oracle fees that they managed to avoid by migrating. For example, a medium-sized tech company that was able to replace all Oracle JDK instances with OpenJDK calculated that it saved around $500,000 annually in subscription fees and another $200k in avoided audit exposure, essentially freeing over $3 million in a 5-year span that could be invested elsewhere. Another manufacturing firm reported that switching to a supported OpenJDK vendor cut their Java support costs by about 70% compared to what Oracle was quoting. These are significant numbers that directly improve the IT budget’s bottom line.
• Name-Brand Endorsements: Many well-known enterprises and software vendors have publicly embraced OpenJDK. For instance, Puma (retail), Workday (cloud SaaS), and Saks Fifth Avenue (retail) are cited as using Azul’s OpenJDK builds, indicating trust in OpenJDK for mission-critical systems. Twitter famously ran on OpenJDK in the 2010s for its Scala services. Google uses OpenJDK extensively (they even developed an OpenJDK-based Java for Android). Amazon not only uses OpenJDK but was so confident that they created Corretto and made it available to everyone. These examples show that OpenJDK is battle-tested at scale. If a major bank, an e-commerce giant, or a SaaS provider can rely on OpenJDK in production, any large enterprise can. This broad adoption also means plenty of community knowledge and best practices are available for newcomers making the switch.
• Hybrid Approaches: Some organizations have taken a phased approach, initially migrating part of their Java estate and keeping some on Oracle for a transitional period. For example, a European telecom company moved all new development to OpenJDK but left a couple of legacy systems on Oracle JDK with a short-term paid support contract, buying time to rewrite those systems. During that period, they negotiated down their Oracle Java bill (since volume was much smaller) and then eliminated it after the legacy apps were retired. This staged strategy yielded immediate savings for the majority while managing risk for the minority. The key lesson is that even partial migration can yield significant benefits, and it’s not an all-or-nothing decision. However, most cases ultimately end with full migration because the complexities of dual environments usually outweigh any perceived benefit of keeping a few Oracle JDK instances.

In general, the cumulative experience of these early movers shows that migrating to OpenJDK is high-reward and low-risk. Enterprises often describe the outcomes of regained freedom and cost control. A CIO from a financial services firm noted that after moving to OpenJDK, they no longer have to hold their breath when Oracle announces licensing updates – their Java strategy is now “future-proof” regardless of Oracle’s actions. Another IT leader remarked that the migration “freed us from a budget line we’ve always resented paying and gave us the same Java capabilities.” Such testimonials reinforce that moving to OpenJDK can be a quick win for IT departments, with tangible financial gains and negligible downside.

Oracle Java vs OpenJDK: Key Differences at a Glance

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of Oracle’s Java (Oracle JDK) and OpenJDK (using an open-source distribution), focusing on aspects like licensing, support, updates, and long-term viability:

Table Notes: Oracle JDK and OpenJDK deliver the same core Java technology; their differences are in licensing, cost, and flexibility rather than technical capability. Oracle’s offering may appeal to those who need Oracle’s hand-holding and are willing to pay for it. Still, for most enterprises, OpenJDK provides equivalent functionality with far fewer strings attached.

Recommendations for CIOs and IT Procurement Leaders

Finally, based on the above, here are some practical recommendations and actionable advice for CIOs and procurement heads considering or pursuing a migration to OpenJDK:

• Treat Java Licensing Proactively – Don’t Wait for an Audit: If you haven’t already, audit your Java usage now and understand your exposure. Given the budget and compliance stakes, this should be a priority on your IT governance agenda. Don’t let Java be an overlooked “grey area” – manage it like any other major software asset. By getting ahead of Oracle’s auditors, you can set the timeline and options (migration, negotiation) on your terms, rather than reacting under pressure.
• Build a Strong Business Case and Executive Backing: Translate the cost avoidance into terms that matter for the business. Show the multi-year savings of moving to OpenJDK versus paying Oracle, often reducing millions of dollars or a significant percentage of IT spend. Highlight the risk reduction (no surprise audit penalties) and the strategic benefit of freedom from vendor lock-in. Present these findings to the CFO and CEO if needed; Java might have been “just an IT issue” before, but now it’s a financial and risk item that warrants executive attention. With top-level buy-in, you’ll have the mandate and resources to execute swiftly.
• Choose a Trusted OpenJDK Partner (or Two): Determine who will provide your Java builds and support. This could be an in-house decision (using the community OpenJDK and self-supporting) or selecting a vendor (Red Hat, Azul, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, etc.). Evaluate factors like support SLA, cost, update frequency, and any value-add (tooling, monitoring) they offer. Make sure any distribution you use is TCK-certified (most well-known ones are). Many organizations use a primary OpenJDK vendor and keep a secondary source in mind as a backup. The key is to ensure you’re not trading one dependency for another – leverage the open ecosystem. Negotiate support contracts with favorable terms (avoid lengthy lock-in periods; a year-by-year contract is often sufficient and gives you flexibility to switch if needed).
• Plan the Migration Carefully, but Don’t Overcomplicate: As outlined in the steps above, have a structured plan – inventory, pilot, phased rollout. That said, avoid analysis paralysis. Thousands of companies have done this, and there are ample references and guides on doing it right. If your team is uncomfortable, consider a short engagement with an expert consultant or contact peers who have migrated for lessons learned. In many cases, the migration is simpler than major application upgrades or data center moves that your IT teams have done in the past. Treat it as a standard tech refresh with a licensing twist. Set aggressive but realistic timelines (e.g., complete migration within 6-12 months) so that momentum isn’t lost and Oracle’s fee clock isn’t running longer than necessary.
• Conduct Thorough Testing and Quality Assurance: Even though OpenJDK and Oracle JDK are functionally equivalent, do not skip on testing. Verify your critical applications on OpenJDK in a staging environment. Test for performance regressions (there shouldn’t be any significant ones, but if there are, they might indicate an opportunity to tune the JVM. Check any integration points (monitoring agents, security policies, etc.). A well-executed test cycle will give stakeholders confidence and likely show that “it just works,” reinforcing the decision. Keep a rollback plan as a safety net (in case an unknown issue emerges, you can temporarily revert to Oracle JDK for that system), but chances are you won’t need it.
• Ensure Patching and Maintenance Processes Are in Place: Treat OpenJDK with the same rigor as any enterprise software after migrating. Track its updates – sign up for alerts from your OpenJDK vendor or monitor the project mailing lists for new releases (they come quarterly for updates, plus occasional emergency fixes). Apply security patches to OpenJDK with the same priority as you did for Oracle’s patches. If you opted for a support contract, make sure your administrators know how to access support and have tested the process (even a simple query to the new support portal, so you’re ready if a production issue arises. Operationalize OpenJDK in your IT processes. This will debunk any lingering notion that “we’re on our own”; you will be as up-to-date and secure on OpenJDK as you were under Oracle – if not more, since you have eliminated upgrade deadlines.
• Negotiate Smartly If You Must Stay on Oracle Temporarily: You might keep a subset of Java on Oracle (for example, a specific app that will be retired in a year). In such cases, engage Oracle for a short-term arrangement – but avoid long, inflexible contracts. Oracle will push for multi-year commitments; push back and seek annual terms or an exit clause. Let them know (tactfully) that you have a plan to migrate to OpenJDK – this often makes Oracle more willing to offer discounts or custom deals to retain some business. Some companies have obtained significant concessions from Oracle once it was clear they were ready to migrate away. Use that leverage, but be prepared to walk away if Oracle doesn’t deal – the alternative (OpenJDK) is no longer a sacrifice. In any case, do not allow any remaining Oracle Java footprint to undermine the overall goal – treat it as an exception with a deadline for elimination.
• Communicate Success and Next Steps: When you reach milestones, like “we have migrated 100% of our Java applications to OpenJDK,” broadcast that success. It’s a win for cost savings, risk mitigation, and the company’s agility. Quantify the achievement (e.g., money saved, licenses avoided) and acknowledge the teams that made it happen. This provides recognition and helps institutionalize the change (everyone sees that Oracle Java is no longer the default or preferred solution). Update internal documentation and architecture guidelines to state that OpenJDK is the standard Java going forward, so new projects adopt it by default. Also, keep educating new staff or teams as needed, since Oracle will continue marketing its Java. Everyone in your organization should know the stance: We use OpenJDK unless there’s an exceptional justification otherwise. Given the outcomes, few will argue with that stance.

By following these recommendations, CIOs and IT leaders can ensure a smooth transition off Oracle Java and capture the benefits for their organization. The overarching theme is to be proactive and take control. One Oracle licensing expert noted, “Java may be free again – if you make it so”. With OpenJDK and a solid plan, you can make it so, restoring Java to a cost-free (or at least greatly reduced cost) part of your infrastructure and freeing your team from the shackles of onerous licensing. The payoff in cost savings, reduced risk, and flexibility will be worth the effort.