This comprehensive study of 663 experienced Java professionals worldwide – from development team members to C-level executives – provides insights into the challenges enterprises face in managing their Java applications and Java-based infrastructure. The survey questions explored why Oracle Java users migrate to alternatives based on OpenJDK, the details surrounding the migration process and timing, and the importance of support and technical expertise for an OpenJDK distribution.

Oracle Java migration is happening now
Oracle’s share of JDK usage has been declining for years, from about 75% of the JDK distribution market in 2020 to 42% in 2023. The Oracle Java Usage, Pricing & Migration Survey and Report confirmed that trend, with 86% of respondents who use Oracle Java SE currently moving or planning to move all or some of their Java applications off Oracle. Only 14% of Oracle Java users plan to stay on Oracle.

The survey identified several factors driving organisations away from Oracle Java including:

• Cost: Fifty-three percent cited Oracle Java as being too expensive.
• Preference for open-source alternatives: Forty-seven percent expressed a desire to use an open-source distribution like OpenJDK.
• Uncertainty: Thirty-eight percent pointed to ongoing changes in pricing, licensing, and support from Oracle.
• Audit risk: Twenty-five percent mentioned concerns about potential Java usage audits by Oracle.
• Support: Twenty-fouer percent cited that Oracle support was not meeting their expectations.

These significant shifts in the JDK landscape are in full swing, and roughly two-thirds of survey respondents who plan to migrate off Oracle Java will make the move within two years. Among the 14% of participants who plan to continue to use Oracle Java, about a third said they are satisfied with Oracle’s pricing and policies.

“The data from the Oracle Java Usage, Pricing & Migration Survey and Report paints a clear picture: Java users are looking for an equivalent or better alternative to Oracle Java SE which can address their business concerns regarding licensing and support costs and risk of an audit,” said Azul co-founder and CEO Scott Sellers. “There is a better path forward: organisations who have switched to commercially supported distributions based on OpenJDK report smooth experiences and achieved significant cost savings.”

Life after Oracle: Migrations are often easier than expected
Despite trepidation among Oracle Java users about moving to distributions based on OpenJDK, most organisations that have migrated have been pleased with the process, timing and results. Seventy-five percent of respondents who completed their migrations to OpenJDK did so within 12 months and 23% migrated in less than three months. Migrations to OpenJDK distributions also fell within expectations for 84% of respondents. Of that number, 41% indicated that the migration was easier than expected, and the remaining 43% said the migration went as planned.

Pricing and support matter — a lot
The survey also shed light on Java support preferences and pricing concerns. Over half of the survey respondents cited price as a factor in seeking an alternative to Oracle Java. Two-thirds of organisations that switched from Oracle Java to OpenJDK distributions were able to save costs.

The Java professionals surveyed also clearly indicated that their companies need Java support, with 83% of respondents requiring support for production applications. That percentage includes paid support, support bundled with their existing cloud and infrastructure platform, or both. When considering what they valued most in paid support for an OpenJDK distribution, participants said the top five reasons were:

• Technical expertise (61%)
• Timely releases and fixes (54%)
• Customer support (42%)
• Stabilised security-only updates (40%)
• Migration expertise (39%)

“The exodus away from Oracle Java is driven by mounting concerns over pricing changes and a growing preference for open-source alternatives. While some organisations initially hesitated to make the switch, our survey reveals that those who have migrated to OpenJDK distributions have had a positive experience,” continued Sellers. “It's clear that the Java community is voting with its feet, seeking more cost-effective, flexible and open solutions for their Java applications and Java-based infrastructure.”

To access the full Oracle Java Usage, Pricing and Migration Survey & Report, click here.

About the report
The report data was compiled from Java professionals and those who use or deploy Java-based applications and infrastructure at all seniority levels. Participants from companies of all sizes were invited to participate in a survey on their company’s decisions around using Oracle Java and OpenJDK distributions. A total of 663 qualified participants from six continents completed the survey. Dimensional Research, a leading market research firm, administered the electronic survey. Some participants were offered token compensation for their participation. Participants ranged in seniority from individual contributors (16%) to director and above (45%). Any participant who did not meet the criteria for company size or use of Java was disqualified from completing the survey.

About Azul Systems
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Azul provides the Java platform for the modern cloud enterprise. Azul is the only company 100% focused on Java. Millions of Java developers, hundreds of millions of devices and the world’s most highly regarded businesses trust Azul to power their applications with exceptional capabilities, performance, security, value, and success. Azul customers include 36% of the Fortune 100, 50% of Forbes top-10 World’s Most Valuable Brands, all 10 of the world’s top-10 financial trading companies and leading brands like Avaya, Bazaarvoice, BMW, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Telekom, LG, Mastercard, Mizuho, Priceline, Salesforce, Software AG, and Workday. Learn more at azul.com and follow us @azulsystems.