Azul, a company 100% focused on Java development has released its global Oracle Java Usage, Pricing & Migration Survey and Report. The study was conducted to assess the Java community’s response to Oracle’s pricing, policies and support for Oracle Java.
Oracle’s share of Java users has been declining for years. The company held about 75% of the market for Java Development Kit (JDK) distributions in 2020 (New Relic 2020). However, only 42% in the Azul State of Java Survey and Report 2023. This survey shows that trend continues, as 86% of respondents who are using Oracle Java SE are currently moving or plan to move all or some of their Java applications off Oracle.
Only 14% of Oracle Java subscribers plan to stay on Oracle. It found the reasons vary from cost, a preference for open source. In addition to uncertainty over Oracle’s ongoing pricing changes and the threat of a Java usage audit.
The study provides insights into the challenges enterprises face in managing their Java applications and Java-based infrastructure. It was based on input from 663 experienced Java professionals worldwide – from development team members to C-level executives. The survey questions explored why Oracle Java users migrate to alternatives based on OpenJDK. Also 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 dwindling 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. 86% of respondents who use Oracle Java SE are 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: 53% cited Oracle Java as being too expensive
- Preference for open-source alternatives: 47% expressed a desire to use an open-source distribution like OpenJDK
- Uncertainty: 38% pointed to ongoing changes in pricing, licensing, and support from Oracle
- Audit risk: 25% mentioned concerns about potential Java usage audits by Oracle
- Support: 24% cited that Oracle support was not meeting their expectations
These significant shifts in the JDK landscape are in full swing. 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, barely a third said they are satisfied with Oracle’s pricing and policies.
According to Scott Sellers, Co-Founder and CEO at Azul, “The migration from Oracle Java is absolutely happening. The data is very clear on this trend. Furthermore, migration is far easier than you may think. 84% of respondents said their migration went better than expected or easier than expected.”
Life after Oracle
Despite the challenge 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. 75% of respondents who completed their migrations to OpenJDK did so within 12 months. 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. The remaining 43% said the migration went as planned.
Pricing and support matters — a lot
The survey also shed light on Java support preferences and pricing concerns. More than 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 clearly indicated 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%)
Sellers add, “The data from the 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.
“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,” Sellers concludes.
Methodology
The report data was compiled from Java professionals 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%).
Enterprise Times: What this means for businesses
Azul’s research suggests the migration away from Oracle Java appears to be driven by mounting concerns over Oracle’s pricing changes. In addition to the growing preference for open-source alternatives. Despite Oracle’s ownership of Java Enterprise Edition, Java is firmly rooted in open-source community. As a result, numerous other companies have built their own versions of Java and are now biting at the heels of Oracle.
While some organisations initially hesitated to make the switch, Azul’s survey suggests that those who have migrated to OpenJDK distributions have had a positive experience. 84% of respondents who have already left Oracle Java, report the process was easier or went as planned. 75% completed their migrations in less than 12 months.
Oracle has continued to increase the cost of its Java licences and changed the terms and conditions. At the same time, the amount of Java-based code inside organisations continues to grow. The study suggests the Java community is voting with their feet, seeking more cost-effective, flexible and open solutions for their Java applications and Java-based infrastructure.
The key is the fear factor of leaving the established market leader, Oracle. However, competitors to Oracle are now offering faster, optimised and more performance-orientated code with new security tooling. As a result, the relatively new kids on the block such as Azul are now offering companies a real alternative to Oracle.
How will the Oracle Corporation respond to this migration away from its platform? Only time will tell. However, it will be interesting to see how the company reacts over the next year to this continued exodus.
