Migrating Off Oracle Java SE: Strategies and Alternatives for CIOs

Why Are Organizations Migrating Off Oracle Java SE?

Oracle’s recent licensing changes for Java SE have significantly increased costs and compliance risks for many enterprises. In January 2023, Oracle shifted Java SE to a per-employee subscription model, meaning companies must pay for every employee (including part-timers and contractors) if they use Oracle’s Java, regardless of how many employees use Java.

This new model starts at about $15 per employee per month (with volume discounts down to ~$5 at large scales). The result has been staggering cost increases: for example, a firm with 500 employees would pay $90,000 per year for Java licenses, even if only a handful of developers or applications truly need Java.

Another enterprise found that under the old model (per user/processor), they paid ~$85K annually. Still, under the 2023 rules, with ~42,000 employees, their Java cost would skyrocket to over $2.6 million yearly (more than a 30× increase).

Organizations are highly motivated to migrate off Oracle’s Java SE when facing unsustainable fees. Fortunately, viable alternatives exist. The open-source OpenJDK project (the basis of Oracle’s own Java) has spawned many distributions that are functionally equivalent to Oracle Java but available under free licenses.

By switching to these alternatives – and possibly obtaining third-party support if needed – enterprises can avoid ongoing Oracle Java licensing costs while receiving regular security updates and support.

In short, organizations are migrating off Oracle Java SE to cut exorbitant subscription costs, reduce audit exposure, and regain flexibility by adopting free or more affordable Java distributions.

Oracle’s Java Licensing Structure and Its Pitfalls

Oracle’s current Java SE licensing structure is widely seen as restrictive and expensive, prompting the exodus.

Key points to understand:

• Legacy vs. Current Model: Until 2023, Oracle offered Java SE subscriptions on older metrics – e.g,. Per-processor (for servers) or Named User Plus (for specific named end-users or devices). These models allowed licensing a subset of users or machines. In January 2023, Oracle eliminated those options and introduced the Java SE Universal Subscription, which uses an Employee metric. Under this scheme, if an organization needs Oracle Java at all, it must license all employees in the company (including part-time staff and applicable contractors/support staff). This “all-or-nothing” licensing acts like an unlimited deployment right – you can use Java anywhere, but you pay for everyone on payroll.
• Cost Implications: Oracle’s list price was ~$15 per employee per month for smaller organizations (under 1,000 employees), with tiers dropping to around $6 or $5 at tens of thousands of employees. While this simplifies compliance tracking, it often dramatically raises the price. Companies with many employees but few Java-based applications get hit hardest. For instance, a mid-sized company of 500 employees would incur about $90K annually at list prices. Large enterprises have reported potential budget increases of 10× to 30× for Java after moving to the employee-based subscription. Such costs are unsustainable for many IT budgets, especially compared to the previous model, where you could license only the servers or users running Java.
• No-Fee Terms Are Limited: Oracle does provide a “No-Fee Terms and Conditions” (NFTC) license for the latest Java version (e.g., Java 17, now Java 21), which allows free use in production temporarily. However, this is a stop-gap: free updates under NFTC only last until one year after the next Long-Term Support release. In practice, an organization would have to continually upgrade to the newest Java LTS version every couple of years to stay on a free Oracle JDK – an impractical strategy for most enterprises. Otherwise, once the free update period ends, they’d need to start paying for a subscription to get further updates on that version. This limited free option hasn’t offset the broader cost concerns.
• Compliance and Audit Risk: The new subscription model has also heightened compliance concerns. Oracle’s Java licensing is now regularly enforced; reports in 2024–2025 indicate Oracle is ramping up audits targeting Java customers. If a company lets its Oracle Java subscription lapse without completely removing or replacing Oracle JDK across all systems, it could be found out of compliance and face penalties. Because the employee-based license counts even indirect Java usage, many organizations fear that undiscovered installations of Oracle JDK (for example, bundled in an old application) could expose them to audits and back-charges. The stringent terms and aggressive audit posture are another reason CIOs are eager to leave the Oracle model behind.

Oracle’s post-2023 Java SE licensing has become a “high-cost, high-risk” proposition. The combination of paying for every employee, the requirement to upgrade frequently or pay for long-term support, and the threat of audits makes this model unattractive. This drives organizations to seek more cost-effective and flexible Java solutions outside Oracle.

Free and Supported Java Alternatives (OpenJDK Distributions)

The good news is that leaving Oracle’s Java doesn’t mean leaving Java. OpenJDK – the open-source reference implementation of Java SE – has given rise to a robust ecosystem of alternative JDK distributions.

These distributions are 100% Java-compatible (they pass the same TCK tests that Oracle’s JDK does) and can serve as drop-in replacements for Oracle Java on both servers and desktops.

Many are free, with optional support services if you require enterprise-grade assistance. Below is a comparison of some leading free/open Java distributions and how they stack up in terms of licensing, support, update cadence, and compatibility:

Notes on compatibility:

All of the above distributions are Java SE compliant, meaning applications that run on Oracle’s JDK will run on these alternatives as long as you use the same Java version. They include the same core features and APIs. (Oracle contributes the bulk of code to OpenJDK, so these builds share Oracle’s codebase.)

There may be minor differences, such as vendor-specific utilities or installation paths in some cases, but the Java runtime behavior is the same. Enterprise software vendors have largely embraced OpenJDK distributions – most modern applications and middleware officially support running on any TCK-certified JDK, not just Oracle’s.

This broad compatibility gives organizations confidence that switching Java runtime providers won’t break their applications. Many companies have already migrated: industry surveys indicate that Oracle’s share of the Java ecosystem has plummeted in recent years as organizations adopt OpenJDK solutions.

In short, a rich, mature landscape of Java runtimes can replace Oracle JDK with no license fees and commercial support available if needed (often at a fraction of Oracle’s cost).

Step-by-Step Java Migration Plan for Enterprise Environments

Migrating an entire enterprise off Oracle Java requires careful planning and execution. Below is a step-by-step approach that CIOs and IT leaders can follow to ensure a smooth transition:

1. Inventory Java Usage – Discover and document everything. Begin by compiling a comprehensive inventory of all Java installations across your organization. Identify where Java is installed (on desktops, servers, VMs, cloud instances, etc.) and note the Java versions (e.g., Java 8, 11, 17). For each instance, determine the applications or services running on that Java runtime. This includes in-house applications, third-party enterprise software, web servers, build tools, browser-based applets or legacy Java Web Start applications (if any still linger). The goal is to map out which systems rely on Oracle’s JDK today. Also, assess usage levels – e.g., how many users or processes need Java on each machine. This inventory forms the foundation of the migration plan, letting you gauge the project’s scope and prioritize critical areas. (Tip: Many organizations find this step more time-consuming than expected. If possible, use automated discovery tools or software asset management solutions to scan for “java” executables and identify Oracle JDK installs. Don’t forget developer workstations, CI/CD build servers, and production apps.)
2. Risk and Dependency Analysis – Assess what could break, and choose your replacement strategy. For each application identified, perform a dependency analysis to understand any Java version or vendor-specific requirements. Most standard Java applications will run on any OpenJDK distribution, but you should verify if any workloads use Oracle-specific features or extensions. For example, check for hard-coded dependencies on the Oracle JDK (some applications might check the Java vendor name or rely on Oracle’s JVM arguments). If an app uses deprecated components like the old Java browser plugin or Java Web Start (which Oracle JDK 8 had but newer OpenJDKs don’t include by default), plan how to handle those (e.g. OpenWebStart as a replacement for launching JNLP apps). Also confirm support with third-party software vendors – ensure that vendors of critical systems officially support running their product on OpenJDK-based JDKs (most do nowadays). Choose target distributions for each environment: based on your inventory, decide which OpenJDK distribution(s) you will adopt. Some companies standardize on one vendor’s JDK for all systems; others might use a mix (for instance, one distribution for Linux servers and another for Windows desktops, depending on support offerings). Pick distributions that support the Java versions you need (e.g., if you have legacy Java 8 apps, ensure your chosen vendor provides Java 8 builds and updates). It’s also wise to select an LTS version for each application – you may upgrade some applications to a newer Java LTS (e.g. 11 or 17) during this migration if time and compatibility allow, to extend their support horizon. At the end of this analysis, you should have a plan for which Java version and which OpenJDK distribution each application will move to, and what potential issues need to be tested for each.
3. Technical Testing and Validation – Prove it works before full rollout. Set up test environments to validate your applications on the chosen OpenJDK distributions. This could be as simple as installing the new JDK on a staging server or developer machine and running the application. Conduct thorough regression testing for critical systems – run the full test suite or user acceptance tests with the new Java runtime. Pay attention to any anomalies: for instance, differences in garbage collection tuning, TLS/crypto settings, or logging output.In most cases, no code changes are required to switch from Oracle JDK to an OpenJDK build of the same version, but testing gives confidence. It’s a good practice to run Oracle JDK and the new JDK side-by-side for a period (if possible) – for example, have a subset of users or a staging instance use the OpenJDK-based runtime. In contrast,
   production still runs Oracle, and compare the results. Also test operational aspects: ensure monitoring agents, management scripts, and start-up configurations all work with the new Java distribution (the java command, environment variables, and directory structures might differ slightly). If any issues arise, address them by adjusting configurations or seeking help from the OpenJDK community or the new vendor’s support forums. Performance testing is advised for heavy workloads – though the core performance should be equivalent, in rare cases JIT compiler or garbage collector differences (if you switch Java versions or JVM types) could affect throughput or memory. Finally, develop a rollback plan: if a critical issue is discovered after switching an application to the new JDK, have a procedure to quickly revert that application to Oracle’s JDK as a temporary measure (for example, keeping the Oracle JDK installation available in parallel). This safety net ensures that any surprises won’t disrupt your business while you troubleshoot.
4. Deployment and Support Strategy – Roll out the new JDKs and ensure long-term support. With testing complete, create a phased deployment plan. It’s often wise to migrate in waves – for example, start with lower-risk or internal applications as a pilot, then progress to high-impact systems once confidence is high. Coordinate with application owners and business units for scheduling, because switching the Java runtime may require brief downtime or maintenance windows for each app. On desktops, you may need a software deployment push to uninstall Oracle JDK and install the new Java runtime across all users’ machines (ensuring any Java-dependent client apps or applets they use are tested and continue to work). Communicate clearly to IT staff and end-users if there are any changes (for instance, the Java control panel or auto-update will no longer be Oracle’s). As you deploy, track progress meticulously – maintain a checklist of every server and workstation and mark when its Java runtime has been replaced. This will be crucial for verifying that no Oracle installations are left inadvertently. In parallel, adjust your support processes: if you relied on Oracle for Java support, you should establish a support plan for the OpenJDK distribution. This might involve training your internal support teams on the new environment and known issues, and/or subscribing to a support service from your new JDK vendor (which is usually much cheaper than Oracle, and often charged per machine or CPU instead of per employee). Make sure patch management is in place: subscribe to announcements from the OpenJDK provider so you know when new security patches are released, and have a procedure to test and roll out these Java updates on a regular cadence (Java typically has quarterly critical patch updates). Finally, once all systems are migrated, remove Oracle JDK binaries from your environments and update documentation (e.g., update build scripts, PATH settings, Docker images, etc., to point to the new Java). Completing the deployment phase with a clean-up ensures you are truly free of Oracle’s Java and not at risk of any lingering usage.

Following these steps, enterprises can systematically transition away from Oracle Java with minimal disruption. Notably, many organizations report that the migration process is easier than anticipated.

Java is very standardized, and swapping the JDK vendor tends to be straightforward in most cases. (In one industry survey, over 80% of firms that migrated off Oracle Java said the effort was as expected or easier, and most completed the project within a year.)

Diligent planning and testing are key, but once done, your organization will run on a cost-free (or lower-cost) Java platform, with no ongoing Oracle ties.

Key Challenges and How to Mitigate Them

Migrating off Oracle’s Java can introduce some challenges, but understanding them upfront will help in planning mitigation strategies:

• Compatibility Gaps: Generally, there are minimal compatibility issues when replacing Oracle JDK with an OpenJDK-based distribution of the same version – they are intended to be equivalents. However, watch out for any Oracle-proprietary components that might not be present in open-source builds. For example, Oracle’s JDK 8 included the Java Web Start tool; if your environment relies on launching JNLP applications, you’ll need to deploy an alternative (such as OpenWebStart) since newer OpenJDKs don’t include it. Similarly, some applications might have license checks or configuration tied to the Oracle JDK (e.g., looking for the java.vendor system property to be “Oracle Corporation”). These scenarios are uncommon, but they do exist. Mitigation: Identify such dependencies during the analysis phase and test for them. Most can be resolved by minor configuration tweaks or by adding third-party replacements for dropped components. It’s also wise to engage with your application vendors – ensure they officially support the target OpenJDK distribution/version. In practice, mainstream apps (databases, middleware, CRM systems, etc.) now support OpenJDK. Still, if a vendor only certifies Oracle JDK, you may need to get their guidance or even reconsider that vendor if they are behind the times. Compatibility gaps have proven minor for most organizations, but don’t skip the due diligence.
• Patching and Update Strategy: With Oracle, paying customers receive regular updates (quarterly Critical Patch Updates) and possibly out-of-band fixes for zero-day issues. If you leave Oracle, you must stay on top of Java security updates. The challenge some foresee is whether open-source or alternative vendors will be as timely and comprehensive in releasing patches. In reality, all major OpenJDK providers release updates on the same schedule as Oracle – they have concurrent access to the OpenJDK security fixes (since Oracle contributes fixes to the open-source project). The bigger change is procedural: you’ll no longer get patches from Oracle’s portal, so you must obtain them from your new distribution’s site or repository. Mitigation: Establish an internal process or assign responsibility to track Java release announcements from the vendor (e.g., Amazon posts Corretto updates, Eclipse Adoptium announces Temurin releases, etc.). Integrate these updates into your normal patch management cycle. It’s also important to plan for future version upgrades. Oracle’s model often allowed sticking with an old version if you kept paying for Extended Support; in the open-source model, you should plan to upgrade to newer LTS versions over time (e.g. move from Java 11 to 17 to 21 in line with community support timelines) unless you have a vendor providing extended patches for the old version. Regularly upgrading Java might become easier once you’re off Oracle, since you won’t be as constrained by licensing fees for new versions.
• Managing Support Without Oracle: Oracle’s Java subscription came with the ability to file support tickets and get help for JVM issues. After migrating, organizations must ensure they have a support structure for Java runtime issues. This doesn’t necessarily mean trouble – many companies find they rarely need Oracle’s support for the JVM itself – but it’s a risk to consider. Mitigation: There are multiple avenues to get Java support outside of Oracle. Suppose you have capable in-house Java engineers or administrators. In that case, they can often handle routine issues (the Java community and forums like Stack Overflow or vendor-specific forums can be very helpful). For mission-critical environments, you may purchase a support plan from your OpenJDK vendor (for example, Azul, BellSoft, IBM, Red Hat, and others generally offer professional support for their Java distributions or OpenJDK). These support contracts are far more flexible and cheaper (often priced per server or CPU socket, rather than per employee). Ensure your operations team knows how to get updates and where to seek help for the new JDK. In practice, running Java without Oracle’s backing has been successful for thousands of organizations – a strong community and third-party ecosystem exists to fill the support gap. Just have a plan, especially for addressing urgent JVM-level issues or performance tuning needs, by knowing who to call or what internal expertise to tap.

In summary, the challenges of leaving Oracle Java are manageable with proper planning.

Most applications will transition without code changes, patches are available on time from alternate sources, and support can be obtained elsewhere when needed.

By anticipating the above aspects, you can avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure the continuity of your Java-based services.

Contractual and Compliance Considerations

When moving off an Oracle Java SE Employee License Agreement (ELA), CIOs and procurement leaders must navigate the exit carefully to avoid contractual penalties or compliance lapses.

Key considerations include:

• Review Your Oracle Contract for Exit Terms: Understanding the fine print of your current Java SE subscription agreement is critical. Check for the term end date and whether it auto-renews by default. Identify any notice period required to cancel the subscription – for example, some contracts require written notice 30 or 60 days before the renewal date if you choose not to renew. Look for any clauses about termination or termination certification – Oracle often requires that you certify (in writing) that you have ceased using the software and destroyed or deleted all copies if you end the license. Ensure you follow any procedures in the letter. Knowing these contractual obligations will let you time your migration and exit appropriately. The goal is to align your technical migration with your legal obligations: ideally, complete the switch-over and then formally terminate the Oracle agreement at its expiration, having met all requirements.
• Ensure a Clean Break (Remove Oracle Software): From a compliance standpoint, you must diligently remove Oracle’s Java from your environment once your entitlement ends. Remember that you are no longer licensed to use Oracle Java in production after your subscription expires. That means every instance of Oracle JDK (or JRE) should be uninstalled or replaced with OpenJDK by then. It’s wise to document this clean-up. For example, maintain a spreadsheet or report showing each system with Oracle Java and evidence of it being replaced (or decommissioned). If Oracle initiates an audit or license review, having this documentation will be invaluable to demonstrate that as of the end of the subscription, you have no Oracle-licensed Java deployed. Additionally, revoke access to Oracle’s download portals to ensure no well-meaning engineer accidentally pulls down Oracle JDK updates out of habit. In short, officially scrubbing Oracle Java from your IT landscape is crucial to exiting the agreement safely.
• Anticipate Oracle Audit Activity: Oracle’s License Management Services (LMS) has become increasingly active in auditing customers for Java usage. Oracle knows when a subscription customer’s term is ending, and there are reports of Oracle reaching out to organizations that choose not to renew. Be prepared for an audit request around or after the time you exit. To protect yourself, ensure you can demonstrate full compliance at the point of termination – this ties back to having thorough records of your migration progress and Oracle software removal. If you receive an audit notice, immediately engage your compliance and legal teams. It often helps to have evidence ready (e.g., the inventory of systems and their current Java versions, showing none are Oracle’s). You can answer any audit inquiries by being proactive and meticulous in your migration. Also, remember that Oracle may audit not just for Java, but use a Java review as a gateway to scrutinize your entire Oracle software licensing. Maintain a narrow scope in communications and show them that the Java usage is now all on open-source implementations to close the discussion quickly.
• Document Migration Progress and Completion: Maintaining documentation that can serve internal and external needs throughout the migration project. Internally, this helps track project status and ensure accountability for retiring Oracle Java in each department. Externally (e.g., in an audit defense scenario), this documentation clearly shows how and when you eliminated Oracle Java usage. For example, keep copies of change management tickets or deployment logs that installed the new JDK and removed Oracle’s version on each server. Compile a final report summarizing the action timeline if you have a formal “Java Exit” project. This kind of evidence can be presented to Oracle if ever required to prove that all Oracle Java installations were gone as of a certain date. It also reassures senior management and auditors that the risk of Oracle license exposure has been addressed.
• Leverage Independent Expertise: Consider engaging an independent licensing advisor to guide the exit process. Firms specializing in Oracle licensing (such as Redress Compliance) can provide valuable insights and help navigate conversations with Oracle. They can assist in reviewing your contract terms, advising on communicating your departure to Oracle, and preparing for potential audits. Importantly, these advisors work in your interest (unlike Oracle’s reps) and can often anticipate Oracle’s tactics or “gotchas.” While you should avoid unnecessary interaction with Oracle during the exit, if negotiation or clarification is needed (for instance, confirming that you will not renew and ensuring Oracle acknowledges the end of the license), having expert counsel can ensure you don’t inadvertently agree to unfavorable terms. An independent expert can also double-check that your new Java usage (OpenJDK, etc.) is license-free and not subject to any Oracle claims (in case of embedded Oracle components or similar edge cases).

Exiting the Oracle Java ELA is as much a legal/compliance project as a technical one. Start the process early, cover your bases with paperwork, and don’t hesitate to get outside help for the contractual side.

By doing so, you can confidently terminate the Oracle agreement with minimal risk, knowing you have fulfilled all obligations and mitigated audit exposure.

Recommendations

Moving off Oracle Java SE can yield significant cost savings and operational freedom. To conclude, here are specific actionable next steps for CIOs and procurement leaders to drive this initiative forward:

• Initiate a Java Usage Audit Now: Begin with a company-wide audit of Java usage. Inventory all installations and versions of Java on servers, VMs, desktops, and developer environments. This data will underpin your entire migration plan and uncover the full scope (you may find Oracle Java in more places than expected, including packaged apps). Starting this discovery early will prevent surprises later.
• Evaluate and Select Your OpenJDK Distribution(s): Research the Java alternatives (as compared above) and decide which distribution best fits your organization. Consider factors like: which versions you need support for, compatibility with your OS platforms, availability of commercial support, and any preference (for example, if you heavily use AWS, Amazon Corretto might be attractive, whereas an on-prem shop might favor Azul or Adoptium builds). It’s fine to standardize on one, but some companies use a mix (e.g., one vendor’s JDK for desktops and a different one for servers). The key is to choose a reliable, TCK-certified distribution and plan how you’ll obtain updates for it. Engage your security and operations teams in this choice – they’ll maintain it long-term.
• Plan the Migration Project (Timeline and Resources): Treat the Java replacement as a formal project with clear timelines. To avoid gaps or overshoot, align the target completion date with your Oracle contract renewal/expiration. Build a phased schedule: for example, “Q1: setup and testing, Q2: migrate test and dev environments, Q3: migrate production for lesser critical apps, Q4: migrate remaining critical systems.” Assign owners for different environment types (desktop, server, application groups). Ensure you have the necessary resources – e.g., test environment infrastructure, packaging/scripting for deployment, and support from application owners. Starting well before the Oracle license deadline is crucial; large organizations often begin 6-12 months ahead or more. A detailed plan will keep the migration on track and visible to stakeholders.
• Execute Pilot Migrations and Validate Results: Don’t jump in simultaneously. Select a few non-critical applications or a subset of the environment as pilot migrations. For instance, one department’s application server can be switched to the new JDK, or a few developers can use the new JDK on their workstations. Monitor the results and gather feedback. This pilot phase helps fine-tune your approach (you might discover a configuration tweak or an undocumented dependency that needs addressing). It also builds confidence in the process. Document any issues encountered and solutions applied, so the knowledge is captured for the broader rollout.
• Roll Out in Phases and Monitor Closely: Proceed with the broader rollout in planned stages, such as by business unit or application tier. As you replace Oracle Java in each wave, closely monitor system metrics and logs for irregularities. It’s wise to schedule migrations during maintenance windows to allow quick rollback if needed (though if testing was thorough, rollback shouldn’t be necessary). Communicate progress to management – for example, “80% of our Java installations have been transitioned to OpenJDK as of this date,” which helps demonstrate ongoing risk reduction. Celebrate milestones (like fully eliminating Oracle Java from all user desktops, or completing migration of a critical production cluster) to maintain momentum and buy-in.
• Establish Long-Term Support and Patching Procedures: As you complete the migration, ensure your organization is set up for ongoing success with the new Java platform. Update your IT policies and documentation: for example, amend build guides to use the new JDK, and deprecate any references to Oracle Java. Schedule regular updates for the JDK as part of your patch cycles (at least quarterly). If you purchase a support plan from an OpenJDK vendor, ensure the contract is in place and your staff knows how to engage support when needed. If you rely on community support, identify go-to resources (forums, mailing lists) and perhaps designate an internal “Java champion” who stays current with Java release news. The goal is to treat Java as a standard component of your stack that you maintain just like your OS or database — but now without Oracle’s oversight or fees.
• Manage the Oracle Relationship Proactively: As the final step, officially address your Oracle Java subscription. If you plan not to renew, communicate that decision through the proper channels (usually a formal notice to Oracle or your Oracle reseller, according to the contract terms). It can simply mean you intend to terminate the Java SE subscription upon its expiration, which will not require renewal. You generally don’t need to provide details, but be polite and factual. Do not commit to any new agreements unless you truly need to – Oracle may attempt to offer discounts or alternative deals to keep you, but if your strategy is to exit, stay firm. Internally, inform your procurement and software asset management teams that Oracle Java is being retired so they can update their records and ensure no maintenance payments are accidentally made. Finally, consider scheduling an internal audit post-migration to double-check that no Oracle Java remains (this could involve scanning for Oracle’s installer signatures or binaries named java.exe with Oracle version strings). This provides peace of mind that you are in the clear.

By following these recommendations, CIOs and their teams can confidently disentangle their Java deployments from Oracle licensing. The result will be a fully functional Java environment with dramatically lower cost, reduced compliance risk, and the freedom to manage Java on your terms. The transition requires effort, but the payoff in savings and independence is well worth it.