Summary
At some point ITAM professionals must navigate the critical decision point many organizations that use Java now face: renew Oracle Java subscriptions with mandatory upgrades every three years, stay on the same version of Oracle Java and pay high license fees, or replace them with open-source, enterprise-supported alternatives.
In this post you will learn:
- Staying with Oracle Java requires time-consuming Java upgrades every three years to stay on the free license
- ITAM professionals must carefully consider their readiness to upgrade to the new LTS version of Java
- Staying on the same version of Oracle Java incurs high license fees based on the number of full-time employees, part-time employees, and contractors in your organizations
- Migrating to an alternate non-Oracle OpenJDK distribution can be a more cost-effective solution that provides the same Java with better support
Since Oracle last changed its Java pricing and licensing model in January 2023, many enterprises face higher costs, stricter terms, and shorter support windows. Since the latest pricing and licensing model charges based on employee count – including part-time employees and contractors – these costs can be enormous.
Many organizations have a decision: renew Oracle Java subscriptions with time-consuming mandatory upgrades to the new Long-Term Support (LTS) Java version every three years, stay on the same version of Oracle Java and pay high license fees, or replace them with open-source, enterprise-supported alternatives. It often falls on ITAM professionals to navigate this critical decision point.
The challenge of Oracle Java licensing
Oracle’s licensing model requires organizations to upgrade to the next LTS release every three years — unless they pay steep license fees. For enterprises with complex Java estates, this means:
- Constant upgrade churn – costly, time-consuming upgrades just to maintain support.
- Higher subscription fees – employee-based licensing that doesn’t scale well for large organizations.
- Inflexibility – locked into Oracle’s roadmap, regardless of your actual business priorities.
For ITAM professionals tasked with keeping costs predictable and under control, this creates a major budgetary and operational challenge. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, as every organization’s situation is unique.
Azul’s 2025 State of Java Survey & Report, including more than 2,000 Java users, found the following:
- 82% are concerned about Oracle Java pricing
- 88% are considering switching from Oracle to another Java provider
- 85% pay for Java commercial support
These are not trivial decisions. A 2025 survey of ITAM and SAM professionals piled on:
- 73% have experienced an Oracle Java audit within the last 3 years
- 4% are not concerned about Oracle’s Java pricing and licensing policies
- 66% estimate they could save at least 40% with an open-source Java alternative
A guide to Oracle Java renewal for ITAM professionals
A new guide from Azul, Oracle Java Renewal Checklist for ITAM, helps ITAM leaders evaluate their options. It provides critical information every ITAM professional should consider when deciding how to handle Oracle Java renewal time.
Here’s what you’ll find inside:
Considerations for staying on Oracle Java without upgrading:
- How many employees (as defined by Oracle) your organization has
- What your per-employee cost would be
- Your Java usage
- More
Considerations for upgrading to Oracle’s latest LTS version:
- Your upgrade plan
- Your plan for support
- More
Considerations for OpenJDK distributions
- Technical concerns
- Commercial support
- Licensing and cost
Conclusion
The decision of whether to renew Oracle Java or replace it with an open-source solution is one of the most important choices ITAM professionals will face in the next few years. Getting it right can unlock budget flexibility, reduce risk, and empower your organization to innovate faster.
The attached report goes into greater depth, with detailed comparisons, case studies, and decision-making tools. Download it now to equip yourself with the insights you need to make the best choice for your organization.
