Oracle's Java licensing has undergone seismic changes since 2019, transitioning from freely available updates to a paid subscription model and, most recently, to an employee-based licensing metric.
This guide explains the key changes in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024, the different Oracle Java licence agreements (BCL, OTN, NFTC), how Oracle conducts Java audits, and what the new Java SE per-employee subscription means for costs.
Organisations must understand these changes to avoid compliance traps and manage Java licensing costs effectively.
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Oracle Java Licensing Changes — The Complete Evolution
Oracle Java licensing has undergone three major overhauls in the last decade — each shifting more of the cost and compliance responsibilities onto customers.
From a once-free utility to a costly enterprise subscription, every change has tilted negotiation power further in Oracle's favour. This guide explains what changed, when it changed, and what it means for your next Java renewal.
We will walk through a timeline of Java licensing from legacy models to today's employee-based subscription, highlighting impacts on cost and compliance at each phase. By understanding this evolution, CIOs and IT asset managers can plan a future Java strategy with eyes wide open.
Every Oracle licensing change has one goal — to convert free users into paying subscribers. When you understand this, every policy shift makes perfect sense.
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Legacy Java Licensing — Pre-2019: The Free Era
In the years before 2019, Java was effectively free for businesses under Oracle's Binary Code Licence (BCL). Companies could download and use Oracle's Java Development Kit (JDK) in production without paying any fees.
Free for commercial and personal use. Whether an individual developer or a large enterprise, you could run Oracle JDK in production at no cost. Licensing was not a budget concern.
Updates and security patches were freely available. Oracle publicly provided updates (including critical security patches) for Java versions like Java 6, 7, and 8. Organisations could keep Java up to date without a subscription.
No tracking of installations. Enterprises often deployed Oracle JDK widely without even tracking it. Since it was free, there was little motivation to count installations or closely manage usage.
No compliance risk. Oracle had no formal audit process for Java in this period. There were no licence audits targeting Java usage because no revenue was tied to it.
Why Did Oracle Change the Model?
Oracle realised that Java's ubiquity was a missed revenue opportunity. By the late 2010s, Java was installed on millions of corporate devices and servers, yet Oracle generated no revenue from it. This prompted Oracle to rethink Java's licensing model. In short, Oracle saw that countless enterprises were relying on Oracle JDK for free and decided it was time to monetise that dependency. The transition from free updates to paid subscriptions was initiated.
If you installed Oracle JDK before 2019, you were likely compliant — but now you are visible. Oracle's policy changes have brought even long-time free users into the spotlight of compliance.
2019 — The Subscription Model Arrives
The first major shift came in January 2019, when Oracle introduced the Java SE Subscription model. This marked the end of free public Java updates for commercial users. Suddenly, businesses could no longer rely on free patches for Java 8 or newer versions in production.
What Changed in 2019
Paid subscription required for commercial use. Enterprises now needed a paid Java SE Subscription to continue using Oracle Java in production and to receive updates and patches. Free use was limited to personal or development environments.
New per-device and per-user metrics. Oracle's subscription pricing was based on traditional metrics: per-processor (for servers) or per-named-user (for desktops and developers).
Non-production use included. The subscription often covered non-production environments (development, testing) at no extra cost, as long as production instances were licensed.
| Metric | Description | Typical Rate (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Per User | Each named individual using Java | ≈ $2.50 per month |
| Per Processor | Each server processor running Oracle JDK | ≈ $25 per month (per CPU) |
Impact of the 2019 Changes
New licensing expense. Organisations were forced to budget for Java for the first time. Depending on the number of Java installations, this could mean significant new annual costs.
Scramble for alternatives. Some companies sought to avoid the subscription by migrating to OpenJDK builds provided by other vendors (like AdoptOpenJDK, Red Hat, or Azul), which remained free. Others accepted the Oracle subscription for the assurance of official support and updates.
Oracle "soft audits" began. Oracle's sales teams began approaching enterprises to review Java usage. These informal inquiries were essentially soft audits — a tactic to identify unlicensed use and convert it into subscription sales.
In 2019, Java went from a free utility to a subscription business. It was a watershed moment that introduced ongoing Java fees where there had been none.
2021–2022 — Multiple Licence Agreements Create Confusion
After 2019, Oracle's Java licensing grew more complicated. Between 2020 and 2022, Oracle introduced multiple overlapping licence agreements for Java, which created confusion about what was free and what required payment.
An organisation's rights depended on which Java version they were using and on the agreement under which they were using it. The main Java licence frameworks that coexisted during this period were:
| Licence Agreement | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Binary Code Licence (BCL) | Legacy licence pre-2019; allowed free commercial use of older Java versions. | Legacy installs of Java 8 and earlier (with updates up to 2019). |
| Oracle Technology Network (OTN) | Introduced with Java 11; free use only for development and testing — not for production. | Labs, CI/CD, and developer machines. Production prohibited without subscription. |
| No-Fee Terms & Conditions (NFTC) | Introduced in 2021 for Java 17; free commercial use but only until the next LTS is released. | Organisations that adopt the latest LTS and plan to upgrade when the next one arrives. |
| Java SE Subscription | Paid subscription (2019–2022) under per-user or per-processor metrics. | Enterprise production deployments that needed support and updates. |
By 2021, a company could easily be unsure of its compliance: for example, Java 8 might be free under BCL up to a certain update, Java 11 required a subscription or use of OpenJDK, and Java 17 was free under NFTC — but only temporarily. This patchwork of agreements led to significant confusion in the Java community.
⚠ Key Warning: The No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC) licence for Java 17 and later gave a false sense of "free forever," but it was time-limited. Once Java 21 LTS launched in late 2023, Java 17 under NFTC no longer received free updates. Every new LTS release resets the clock — "free" is only temporary under NFTC.
Every new LTS release resets the clock — free is temporary. Make sure you know when your "free" Java version's support runs out.
2023 — The Employee-Based Universal Subscription
Oracle's most dramatic licensing change came in January 2023. Oracle replaced its per-user/processor Java SE Subscription with the Java SE Universal Subscription, a subscription model based on employee counts. This change has had profound cost implications for Java customers.
New Metric — Java by Employee Count
Under the 2023 Universal Subscription, Java licensing is now based on the total number of employees in your organisation, rather than the number of Java installations or specific Java users. If you use Oracle Java anywhere in your business, you must licence all employees.
"All employees" counted. Every full-time, part-time, and temporary employee and every contractor or consultant supporting your business counts toward the Java licence, whether or not they personally use Java. A company with 5,000 employees must buy 5,000 Java licences even if only 100 actually run a Java application.
Global scope. The metric applies to the entire company (and its affiliates under the same corporate umbrella) worldwide. You cannot limit the count to a department or a subset of users — it is an organisation-wide entitlement.
2023 Employee-Based Pricing
(under 1,000 employees)
(1,000 – 10,000 employees)
(10,000+ employees)
How the Model Changed: 2019 vs 2023
| Aspect | 2019–2022 Java SE Subscription | 2023+ Java SE Universal (Employee) |
|---|---|---|
| Licence Basis | Specific Java users (desktops) or processors (servers) licensed individually. | Total number of employees in the organisation (all staff count). |
| Who Must Be Licensed | Only machines/users running Oracle Java needed licensing. | Every employee, regardless of their use of Java. |
| Pricing Transparency | Published price list (per-user/per-processor) — relatively straightforward. | Published tiered pricing per employee, but often negotiable for large counts. |
| Typical Audit Risk | Moderate — scope limited to environments where Java was deployed. | High — Oracle can claim an undercount if any employee was left out. |
Impact of the 2023 Changes
Massive cost increases. Because the licence count jumps to total headcount, some Java customers calculated that their renewal costs would increase tenfold or more under the new model. This has been especially painful for companies with large employee bases but only moderate Java usage.
All-or-nothing licensing. Under the new rules, if you use Oracle Java on even one server, you are expected to licence your entire employee population. This forced some organisations into tough choices: either seek alternatives for every Oracle Java usage or budget for the universal subscription across the company.
Renewal dilemmas. Existing Oracle Java subscribers on the old model faced dilemmas at renewal time. Oracle initially indicated that existing subscriptions could be renewed under the old metrics. Still, in practice, it strongly encourages (or even requires) a move to the employee metric when contracts expire. Companies that were accustomed to licensing only a subset of users must now consider an enterprise-wide licence, or risk non-compliance.
Customer pushback. The steep cost led many to re-evaluate OpenJDK and other third-party Java distributors more seriously. If Oracle is charging "per employee" regardless of usage, the incentive to move to free or cheaper Java distributions became much greater. Oracle's gamble is that many enterprises will still pay for the official subscription to avoid any compliance risk.
Oracle's "employee" metric is perhaps the most expensive way to licence a free product. It forces you to pay for Java usage whether you use it widely or not, so consider if you truly need Oracle's version.
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Oracle JDK vs OpenJDK — The Core Split
One crucial factor in Java licensing is understanding that Oracle JDK and OpenJDK are essentially the same software with different licensing and support models.
Since 2019, Oracle's JDK and the open-source OpenJDK have had parity in features and performance — the codebases are largely identical. The difference lies in the legal terms and support:
⚠ Oracle JDK
- 💰 Commercial licence — requires paid subscription for production use
- 💰 Costly — licensed per employee under Universal Subscription
- ✅ Oracle Premier Support available (with subscription)
- ✅ Quarterly patches and updates from Oracle
- 🚨 High audit risk — Oracle can audit and back-charge
✅ OpenJDK
- 💚 Open-source under GPL v2 — free to use, modify, redistribute
- 💚 No licence fees — zero cost
- 💚 Community support or paid support from third-party vendors
- 💚 Same quarterly updates from OpenJDK community and vendors
- 💚 Zero audit risk — no auditing entity exists
In summary, the Java technology itself is not inherently tied to Oracle's licence fees. Organisations can run Java applications using OpenJDK and avoid Oracle's licensing costs entirely. Oracle's value proposition is the official support and the comfort of a contractual relationship, but technically, the software running your Java workloads can be obtained for free.
It is often said that after 2019, Oracle is effectively selling peace of mind and support contracts, not unique software features. The decision for enterprises is whether Oracle support and assurance are worth the price, or if they can rely on open-source Java distributions and third-party support.
Same code, different contract — Oracle sells the paperwork, not the software. Do not confuse Oracle's licensing with a superior product; the product is virtually the same as free OpenJDK.
Understanding the Different Oracle Java Licence Agreements
By 2023, Oracle had four different Java licence agreements in effect, each with its own terms. It is important to know which applies to your Java installations:
Allows free commercial use of specific LTS versions (Java 17, Java 21) but only until the next LTS is released. Once the next version ships, you no longer receive free updates. Java 17 was free under NFTC until Java 21 came out in 2023. To keep Java 17 updated, you now need a paid subscription or must upgrade to 21.
Introduced with Java 11. Allows free use for development, testing, prototyping, and personal use, but strictly forbids commercial production use. Deploying Oracle JDK in production without a subscription violates the licence.
The current enterprise subscription model since 2023. Requires paying for Java based on total employee count. Oracle's primary offering for companies that need Java support and updates across the organisation.
The old licence for Java SE used through Java 8. Under BCL, you could use Java for free in general-purpose computing. However, Oracle stopped providing free public updates for Java 8 in 2019, so using BCL Java 8 today means running outdated builds unless you have a paid support contract.
These agreements often coexist in an enterprise. For example, an organisation might be using Java 8 (covered by legacy BCL), Java 11 (requiring a subscription or OpenJDK), and Java 17 (temporarily free under NFTC until switching to Java 21). Understanding which licence applies to each Java deployment is crucial for compliance. Oracle's contracts and download pages can look similar, so it is easy to assume Java is free when, in fact, a clause limits that freedom.
Each Oracle licence looks similar — until you read what it doesn't say. Always double-check the fine print; the absence of permission for production use in some licences is intentional.
Renewals — How Java Pricing Evolves
For organisations already paying Oracle for Java, renewal time can bring unpleasant surprises. Oracle's Java subscription renewals often come with escalating costs if you are not prepared.
Annual price uplifts. It is common for Oracle to apply a 3–7% annual price uplift at renewal, citing inflation or increased support costs. Over a few years, this can significantly raise your Java bill.
Headcount growth charges. Under the employee-based model, if your company's headcount has grown since the last contract, Oracle will likely require you to true up to the higher headcount (and pay accordingly going forward). Your costs increase in proportion to workforce size, not actual Java usage.
Loss of discounts. If you originally negotiated any special discounts or grandfathered terms, those may not carry over. Oracle's default stance is to remove any one-time discounts at renewal and to base the new term on the official price list or the new metric.
Push to new metrics. Oracle may push you to migrate to the latest licensing model (from Named User/Processor to Employee) upon renewal. Even if the FAQ or sales reps suggest you can renew "as-is," be cautious — the renewal paperwork might still present the new model.
Best Practices for Renewal
Inventory your Java usage 6–12 months in advance. Do not wait for Oracle's quote. Proactively gather data on the number of Java installations, their versions, and their criticality. This lets you assess if you can reduce usage or shift some workloads to OpenJDK before renewing.
Consider OpenJDK alternatives. Use the renewal lead-up to evaluate whether you can replace Oracle JDK with OpenJDK (or a third-party-supported Java) for some or all systems. Even if you decide to stay with Oracle, having a credible migration plan can be a powerful negotiation lever.
Challenge automatic increases. Just because Oracle proposes a 5% uplift does not mean you must accept it. If your usage has not grown or if Java is a smaller part of your IT portfolio, make the case for holding prices steady. Similarly, if they want to move you to the employee metric and your actual Java footprint is small, use that data to push back.
Align with budget cycles. Time your internal budgeting and approvals to avoid being caught off guard. Oracle will often time renewal discussions to its advantage (like quarter-end). Being ready on your side ensures you are not forced into a quick agreement.
Oracle assumes you will renew by default — surprise them. Come to the table with data and alternatives, rather than simply accepting the first quote.
Negotiations — Key Levers to Use
When negotiating a Java licensing deal with Oracle, knowledge and strategy are your best friends. You do not have to accept Oracle's first offer or their definitions at face value. Here are key levers and tactics to strengthen your negotiating position:
1. Challenge the "employee" definition. Oracle's employee-based metric is broad. In negotiations, closely examine who counts as an "employee." Do you need to count part-time interns or contractors who never interact with your internal systems? Oracle's standard contract counts anyone on your payroll, plus certain contractors. You may negotiate to exclude categories of workers who do not use IT systems or to count only full-time equivalents. Any reduction in the employee count can directly cut costs.
2. Leverage timing (quarter/year-end). Oracle sales representatives have quarterly and annual targets. If possible, align your negotiation to hit at Oracle's quarter-end or fiscal year-end (May 31 for Oracle's fiscal year). At these times, reps may be more willing to offer discounts to close the deal. Use this urgency to your advantage for better terms.
3. Bundle with other Oracle deals. If your organisation also does significant business with Oracle (databases, applications, cloud services), consider negotiating Java as part of a larger deal. Oracle might offer a concession on Java pricing if it helps them secure or extend a bigger contract. Ensure, however, that Java does not get lost in the shuffle — keep its terms clearly documented.
4. Show a credible OpenJDK migration plan. Oracle is more willing to negotiate if they sense you have a real alternative. If you can demonstrate that your technical teams have tested using OpenJDK or another Java distribution and could switch, Oracle will realise that their "all or nothing" leverage is weakened. Even asking detailed questions about transitioning away from Oracle JDK may prompt Oracle to adopt a more cooperative stance.
⚠ Common Mistake: Do not simply accept Oracle's initial employee count or Java usage assessment. Always validate the numbers with your own data. Oracle might say, "We see you have 10,000 employees, so that is what you need to licence." But perhaps that figure includes overseas contractors or subsidiaries you can exclude. Work with HR and your asset management team to confirm exactly who and what should count. By correcting any overestimates, you can save significantly.
Remember, in any negotiation, information is power. Oracle reps often have limited visibility into your actual Java usage beyond what you tell them or what an audit might surface. If you come prepared with accurate data and a willingness to explore alternatives, you stand a much better chance of getting a reasonable deal.
Negotiation power = alternative options + accurate data. The more options you have and the more facts you bring, the better your outcome.
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Audits — Soft vs. Formal
Oracle has ramped up its Java compliance audits in recent years, especially as the subscription model took hold. It is important to distinguish between "soft" audits and formal audits and handle each appropriately:
| Aspect | Soft Audit (Informal) | Formal Audit (Contractual via LMS) |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Oracle sales or account manager suspects unlicensed use, or broad outreach to customers. | Triggered by Oracle's LMS or Global Licensing team; often if a soft audit raises red flags. |
| Approach | Informal request for information: "Can you share how many Java installations you have?" Oracle might offer a free Java workshop — actually a fishing expedition. | A legal process. Oracle will require data collection scripts or detailed deployment data. Rigorous review of all environments. |
| Risk Level | Medium: If you volunteer data without preparation, Oracle could pressure a purchase. Since it is not a legal audit, you have more flexibility. | High: Can lead to a hefty bill for back-dated licences. Legal obligation to cooperate. Findings can cost far more than a subscription. |
In many cases, a soft audit can escalate to a formal audit if not handled carefully. If you ignore Oracle's initial request, they might issue a formal audit notice. Conversely, if you respond too freely, you might reveal a compliance gap.
How to Respond to a Java Audit
Do not share data blindly. Always review any data internally before sending it to Oracle. It may be wise to involve your legal or compliance team. If Oracle provides scripts for data gathering during a formal audit, validate them in a test environment first.
Get the scope in writing. For a soft audit, you can ask, "What exactly do you need to see?" Keep communication in email so you have a record. For a formal audit, the notice letter should outline the scope — ensuring it is clear which products and time periods are covered, so Oracle does not turn a Java audit into a fishing expedition across all Oracle products.
Engage independent experts. If you are not confident, consider bringing in an independent licensing consultant with experience in Oracle audits. They can guide your responses, help analyse Oracle's findings, and ensure you only pay what you actually owe.
Maintain a cooperative but cautious tone. Especially in a formal audit, be professional and timely in your responses, but do not feel pressured to provide more information than requested. Everything you share should be truthful and necessary.
A Java audit is not just a technical review — it is a negotiation in disguise. Oracle's auditors might act like it is purely data-driven, but there is often room to negotiate findings or resolve issues with an Oracle sales agreement. Treat an audit as part of the broader licensing discussion, not a unilateral process.
The Future of Java Licensing
Oracle's Java licensing will continue to evolve, likely in ways that further Oracle's revenue interests. Knowing the past changes, we can anticipate several future trends and prepare accordingly:
Shorter free support windows. Oracle's No-Fee Terms for LTS versions might become less generous. They may shorten the free update period or impose more conditions. Java 21, released in 2023, might not get the full several years of updates before the next LTS (Java 25) comes, pushing customers to upgrade or pay sooner.
Refinements to the employee metric. If customers push back hard, Oracle could introduce tiered or hybrid metrics. Perhaps a smaller-business edition with a capped price or bundles that include a fixed number of employees. Alternatively, Oracle might double down, making the employee metric even more comprehensive.
More audits and compliance checks. As the Universal Subscription model matures, expect Oracle to enforce it aggressively. Many initial Java SE subscriptions signed in 2019–2020 for three-year terms have come up for renewal. Companies that chose not to renew could find themselves on Oracle's audit radar. Audit activity is likely to increase as Oracle hunts down revenue from lapsed subscribers.
Potential price increases. Oracle could increase the list price per employee over time. Even if the tiers remain, $15 per employee might rise, or the discount thresholds might shift. Keeping an eye on Oracle's price lists each year is wise.
On the brighter side, the industry is also responding. More organisations are adopting OpenJDK, and tooling for managing Java versions outside Oracle is improving. We may see Oracle eventually adjust its strategy if enough customers abandon Oracle JDK. But for now, plan for a future in which Java is a paid asset and Oracle finds new ways to monetise it.
Oracle's next change will always be toward monetisation — plan ahead. Assume that "free" periods will shrink and costs will rise, and you will not be caught off guard.
Checklist — How to Stay Prepared for Java Licensing
Staying compliant and optimising your Java licensing requires ongoing attention. Use this checklist to prepare for renewals or potential audits, and to maintain control over your Java usage and costs:
By following these steps, you will avoid last-minute scrambles and be in a stronger position whether you choose to stay with Oracle's Java licensing or move to alternatives.
Compliance is temporary — preparedness is permanent. You might be compliant today, but Oracle's next change could put you at risk. Ongoing diligence is key.
📚 Related Reading — Dive Deeper into Oracle Java Licensing Strategy
Java Licensing FAQs
Q1: Is Oracle Java free to use or not?
Oracle's Java (Oracle JDK) is no longer universally free for commercial use. Historically, Java was free under Sun/Oracle's Binary Code Licence; however, changes starting in 2019 limited its free use. Today, Java is free for personal, development, and testing purposes (and Oracle's latest LTS releases are temporarily free under NFTC). We recommend that you read this Oracle Java licensing guide.
However, if you use Oracle's Java in production for business, you likely need to pay for a subscription. The only exceptions are using Oracle's JDK within certain Oracle products or sticking to open-source Java implementations.
In summary, running Oracle JDK in a corporate environment without a licence after 2019 will put you out of compliance unless it is a version covered by the NFTC free period (and even those eventually require a subscription when the free period lapses).
Q2: What are the BCL, OTN, and NFTC licence terms in simple terms?
These acronyms refer to different licence agreements for Oracle Java over time:
- BCL (Binary Code Licence): The old licence (pre-2019) that made Java free for almost all uses.
- OTN (Oracle Technology Network) Licence: Introduced in 2019, this licence requires a paid subscription for commercial use; free use is permitted only for non-production purposes (such as personal or development/testing).
- NFTC (No-Fee Terms and Conditions): Introduced in 2021 for Java 17+, it allows free use (even in production) for a limited duration (until one year after the next major release). After that, you must pay or upgrade.
In essence, BCL was very permissive, OTN is restrictive, and NFTC is a temporary free licence. If your organisation uses Oracle JDK, check which licence applies to the version you have to determine if you owe any fees.
Q3: How does Oracle's new Java SE Employee licensing model work?
Oracle's Java SE Universal Subscription (since 2023) is an employee-based licence model. This means the cost is calculated based on your total employee headcount, not how many use Java. You pay a monthly fee per employee (with tiered pricing that gets slightly cheaper at higher headcounts). In return, you get the right to deploy Oracle Java on any number of servers and desktops within your organisation. The important details are:
- You must count all employees, including part-timers and relevant contractors, as defined by Oracle.
- The subscription covers all uses of Java SE (server, desktop, cloud) within the company.
- You no longer have to count specific installations or CPUs — it is "all you can eat," but tied to an enterprise-size metric.
For many, this simplifies licence management, but it can also significantly raise costs. A company with 100 Java users might have previously paid for 100 NUP licences; now, if it has 1,000 employees total, it must pay for all 1,000. Companies with large workforces need to carefully assess this model and determine whether they truly need Oracle's Java on every machine or can reduce the scope.
Q4: We have a legacy Java SE subscription. Can we renew it instead of switching to a per-employee plan?
Oracle is trying to phase out those legacy subscriptions. Officially, if you have an existing contract, you may renew it for now, but Oracle will require you to verify that your Java usage has not grown beyond your current licence counts. In practice, Oracle often uses the renewal point to encourage customers to switch to the new employee-based plan. They may request an audit ("verification") before renewal, and many organisations have reported that Oracle representatives refuse to extend the old agreements without changes. Some renewal quotes come with new terms that prohibit another renewal on the old model, effectively giving you one last term before you must migrate to the employee metric. So while a renewal might be possible in the short term if your usage is small and stable, be prepared: your next renewal will likely need to be under the new model. It is wise to negotiate and plan accordingly (or consider alternatives) rather than banking on indefinitely renewing the old licensing terms.
Q5: How can we avoid or minimise Oracle Java licensing costs?
There are several strategies to control costs:
- Use OpenJDK or a Third-Party Java Distribution. Switch to a free OpenJDK distribution for your Java runtime. This immediately removes the need to pay Oracle for licences. OpenJDK is the same codebase as Oracle JDK, and vendors like Amazon, Azul, IBM, and others offer builds with ongoing updates. Many companies have successfully migrated without issues.
- Stay on NFTC and Upgrade Frequently. If you prefer Oracle's JDK, you could try to stay within the NFTC free usage window by upgrading to each new LTS release. This requires an active upgrade cadence (e.g., moving from Java 17 to 21 to 25 on Oracle's timeline), which may not be practical for all environments.
- Negotiate a Smaller Scope with Oracle. Oracle's default stance is all-employee licensing, but you may negotiate to exclude categories of workers. Oracle still had a "Processor" option in price lists for unusual cases — it is worth discussing if your Java use is confined to servers and you have a large employee count.
- Leverage Third-Party Support. If you need security updates for older Java versions (like 8 or 11) but do not want Oracle's subscription, third-party support firms can provide patches (for example, Azul offers support for Java 8/11 for a fee typically lower than Oracle's).
- Scope Reduction. Ensure you are not using Oracle JDK where it is not necessary. Sometimes, only a few applications truly require Oracle-specific Java; the rest can use open-source alternatives. Reducing Oracle JDK usage to the bare minimum reduces the required licensing.
In summary, the most straightforward way to avoid Oracle fees is to adopt non-Oracle Java runtimes. If that is not feasible, then proactive management and negotiation are your tools to keep costs down.
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