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Java Version Comparison Guide

A comparison of every Java release from JDK 8 through JDK 26, covering language features, API additions, garbage collection changes, and migration considerations. 

Java Version Key Features Widely Supported? Azul Supported?

Java 8

LTS, Lambda, Streams

Yes

Yes

Java 11

LTS, HTTP Client

Yes

Yes

Java 12

Switch Expressions Preview

No

No

Java 13

Text Blocks Preview

No

No

Java 14

Switch Expressions Standard

No

No

Java 15

Sealed Classes Preview

No

No

Java 16

Records Standard

No

No

Java 17

LTS, Pattern Matching

Yes

Yes

Java 18

UTF-8 Default

No

No

Java 19

Virtual Threads Preview

No

No

Java 20

Scoped Values Incubator

No

No

Java 21

LTS, Virtual Threads

Yes

Yes

Java 22

Unnamed Classes Preview

No

No

Java 23

Pattern Matching Enhancements

No

No

Java 24

Scoped Values Enhancements

No

No

Java 25

Future Features

No

Planned

Java 25

Future Features

No

Planned

Java 8 vs Java 11

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 8 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 11 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 8 vs Java 17

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 8 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 17 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 17 vs Java 21

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 17 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 21 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 21 vs Java 25

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 21 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 25 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 11 vs Java 12

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 11 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 12 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 8 vs Java 12

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 8 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 12 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 11 vs Java 13

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 11 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 13 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 8 vs Java 13

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 8 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 13 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 11 vs Java 14

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 11 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 14 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 8 vs Java 14

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 8 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 14 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 15 vs Java 8

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 15 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 8 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 11 vs Java 15

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 11 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 15 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 8 vs Java 16

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 8 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 16 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 11 vs Java 16

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 11 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 16 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 16 vs Java 17

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 16 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 17 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 11 vs Java 18

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 11 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 18 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 17 vs Java 18

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 17 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 18 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 18 vs Java 8

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 18 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 8 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 19 vs Java 17

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 19 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 17 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 19 vs Java 8

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 19 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 8 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 17 vs Java 20

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 17 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 20 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 20 vs Java 21

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 20 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 21 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 8 vs Java 22

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 8 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 22 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 17 vs Java 22

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 17 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 22 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 21 vs Java 22

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 21 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 22 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 21 vs Java 23

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 21 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 23 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 17 vs Java 23

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 17 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 23 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 23 vs Java 8

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 23 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 8 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 17 vs Java 24

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 17 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 24 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 21 vs Java 24

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 21 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 24 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

Java 8 vs Java 24

Release Dates and LTS Status: Java 8 was released earlier and may be EOL, while Java 24 offers newer features and possibly LTS support.

Key Feature Differences:

  • Modern language features like Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads in newer versions.
  • Older versions lack advanced APIs and security improvements.

Performance Benchmarks:

  • Startup time improved by up to 30% in newer versions.
  • Memory footprint reduced with advanced GC algorithms.

Security Considerations:

  • Newer versions include TLS 1.3, stronger cryptographic algorithms, and removal of insecure APIs.

Migration Recommendation:

 

 

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