Which versions of Java are free? And which ones bill you.

Java the language is free, and so is OpenJDK, the open source reference implementation. What you pay for is a specific vendor build with commercial support, and Oracle's own JDK carries a per employee subscription once you use it in production beyond the free terms.

This guide is for engineering and procurement leaders deciding which Java to run. Read it with the Oracle Java licensing pillar and the Azul Zulu versus Oracle Java comparison.

Which Java builds are free to use?

Most Java builds are free. The cost only appears when you choose a commercially supported distribution or step outside Oracle's free terms.

The OpenJDK project at openjdk.org is the upstream source. Almost every vendor build is compiled from it, which is why they behave the same at runtime.

Is OpenJDK free for commercial use?

Yes. OpenJDK is licensed under the GPL with the Classpath Exception, which lets you run it in production at no cost. The exception means your own code does not inherit the GPL.

• Eclipse Adoptium: the widely used Temurin builds, free.
• Amazon Corretto: free, with long term support builds.
• Microsoft Build of OpenJDK: free, tuned for Azure and general use.

What about Azul and other supported builds?

Azul ships a free build called Zulu Community and a paid build called Platform Core. The free build is fine for many workloads. The paid one adds support and longer maintenance.

• Azul Zulu Community: free OpenJDK build.
• Azul Platform Core: paid, with commercial support.
• Red Hat build of OpenJDK: free with a Red Hat subscription.

When does the Oracle JDK cost money?

The Oracle JDK is free under the No Fee Terms and Conditions, but only for the current release and a short window after the next one. Production use beyond that triggers the subscription.

What do the Oracle No Fee Terms allow?

They allow free production use of the current Oracle JDK release. Once Oracle ships the next major version, the free window for the old one closes, and continued use needs a subscription.

Is switching off the Oracle JDK hard?

Usually not. A free OpenJDK build runs the same applications without code changes for most workloads. The work is validation and arranging support, not rewriting software.

Java is free. A specific Oracle build with Oracle support is what costs money. The buyer side move is to run a free OpenJDK build and only pay for support where you truly need it.

What to do next

1. Inventory every Java runtime in production and record the vendor build.
2. Flag any Oracle JDK install that is past its No Fee Terms window.
3. Decide which workloads genuinely need commercial support.
4. Pick a free OpenJDK build for the workloads that do not.
5. Validate your applications against the chosen build before cutover.
6. Remove Oracle JDK installs once a free build is confirmed working.

Frequently asked questions

Is Java free to use?

Yes. The Java language and OpenJDK, its open source implementation, are free to use in production. Cost only enters when you choose a commercially supported distribution or run the Oracle JDK beyond its free No Fee Terms window.

Is OpenJDK free for commercial production?

Yes. OpenJDK is licensed under the GPL with the Classpath Exception, which permits commercial production use at no cost and ensures your own application code does not inherit the GPL. Builds from Adoptium, Amazon, and Microsoft are all free.

When does the Oracle JDK require a subscription?

The Oracle JDK is free under the No Fee Terms only for the current release and a brief window after the next major version ships. Continued production use of an older Oracle JDK release beyond that window requires the per employee subscription.

Are free Java builds compatible with Oracle Java?

Yes. Free OpenJDK builds run the same bytecode and pass the same Technology Compatibility Kit tests as the Oracle JDK. For most applications you can switch builds without code changes, so the main work is validation and support arrangement.

Which free Java build should I use?

Eclipse Temurin, Amazon Corretto, Microsoft Build of OpenJDK, and Azul Zulu Community are all solid free choices. The right one depends on your platform and long term support needs, but all run standard Java workloads at no license cost.

Does Java 8 still need a license?

OpenJDK builds of Java 8 from vendors such as Adoptium and Azul remain free. The Oracle build of Java 8 requires a subscription for commercial production use, which is why many teams move older Java 8 estates to a free OpenJDK build.