Which Oracle Java Versions Are Free?

Understanding the licensing status of different Oracle Java versions is essential for organizations looking to avoid compliance issues and unnecessary costs.

This article breaks down which Oracle Java versions are free, the licensing specifics of each version, and how security patches are handled.

Oracle Java Licensing Overview

Oracle Java licensing has undergone significant changes over the years. Initially, Java was broadly available under free licensing terms, but recent versions have introduced more restrictive licensing models.

Two primary licensing models exist:

• Free-to-use (OpenJDK builds): Completely open-source versions with ongoing community support.
• Paid licensing (Oracle JDK): Requires commercial subscription for production use and security updates after specific periods.

Licensing Status of Oracle Java Versions

Below is a comprehensive table summarizing the licensing status of key Oracle Java versions:

Breakdown by Java Version

Java 6 and Java 7

• Initially licensed under Binary Code License (BCL).
• Free updates and patches ended years ago, in 2013 and 2015, respectively.
• Organizations using these versions must either upgrade or assume security risks due to lack of updates.

Java 8

• Originally licensed under BCL.
• Oracle provided free updates until January 2019.
• Post-January 2019, commercial users will need a paid subscription for updates.
• Oracle continues releasing patches exclusively for subscription customers.

Java 9 and Java 10

• Licensed under Oracle Binary Code License.
• Very short-lived public availability (6 months).
• Oracle ceased free public patches after their respective six-month windows.

Java 11 (LTS)

• Introduced the Oracle Technology Network (OTN) License.
• Free only for non-production use such as development, testing, or educational purposes.
• Commercial production use requires purchasing an Oracle Java SE subscription.

Java 12 through Java 16

• Followed the OTN licensing model.
• Free use is restricted to development and testing.
• Each version received only six months of public updates.

Java 17 (LTS)

• Licensed under Oracle’s No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC).
• Fully free, including for production use, until September 2024.
• After that, security patches require a paid subscription.

Java 18, Java 19, Java 20

• Followed the OTN licensing model.
• Free: strictly for development, testing, or personal use.
• Only received public security patches for six months post-release.

Java 21 (LTS)

• The latest LTS version as of September 2023.
• Licensed under Oracle’s No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC).
• Free for all use cases until September 2026.
• After September 2026, security patches will require an Oracle subscription.

Options for Free Long-Term Java Usage

Organizations wanting to avoid subscription costs have the following free options:

• Adopt OpenJDK Distributions:
  • Eclipse Temurin (Adoptium)
  • Amazon Corretto
  • Azul Zulu Community Edition

These versions are free, receive continuous security patches, and provide long-term stability without requiring an Oracle subscription.

Best Practices for Managing Java Licensing

• Regularly Review Licensing Terms: Oracle’s licensing can change, so frequent review ensures compliance.
• Consider OpenJDK Alternatives: OpenJDK distributions are ideal for long-term, free Java support.
• Document Java Usage: Maintaining clear documentation simplifies audits and compliance checks.

Conclusion

Oracle Java licensing varies significantly across versions. While older versions like Java 6, 7, and 8 initially had free public patches, recent releases (Java 11 and onwards) predominantly follow subscription models.

Organizations must carefully evaluate their Java requirements against free options or commit to subscription-based licensing for ongoing Oracle Java support. Choosing alternative free distributions such as OpenJDK can simplify management and compliance while effectively controlling costs.

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