TuxCare Blog

OpenJDK vs. Oracle JDK: Which One Should You Choose?

by Rohan Timalsina

November 19, 2024 - TuxCare expert team

The key differences in OpenJDK vs. Oracle JDK lies in their licensing and support.
Released in September 2021, Java 17 is currently the most widely used JDK (Java Development Kit) version.
TuxCare’s SecureChain for Java provides vulnerability-free Java packages and libraries for maintaining the security and compliance of your Java deployments.

While both OpenJDK and Oracle JDK share a common codebase, they are not the same. The main difference between them is that OpenJDK is an open-source Java development kit, while Oracle JDK is Oracle’s commercially licensed version.

This article will compare OpenJDK vs. Oracle JDK, helping you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

What Is OpenJDK?

OpenJDK is an open-source project and completely free. It is maintained by Oracle and Red Hat with contributions from the open-source community This makes it a popular choice for developers and organizations looking for a cost-effective Java development environment.

What Is Oracle JDK?

Oracle JDK is a proprietary version of Java maintained and distributed by Oracle. After Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems in 2009, it gained the rights to Java, a widely-used programming language and platform. Initially, Oracle JDK was free to use, but in 2019, Oracle introduced a commercial licensing model for Java SE (Standard Edition), starting with Java SE 8. This change meant that businesses using Oracle JDK would now need to pay for commercial licenses to receive updates and ongoing support.

Oracle JDK is known for providing high-quality builds of Java and offering long-term support (LTS) versions, making it a reliable option for enterprises looking for a comprehensive support package.

OpenJDK vs. Oracle JDK: Key Differences

Licensing

OpenJDK is released under the General Public License (GPL) version 2, a permissive open-source license. This means you can use, modify, and distribute OpenJDK freely for both personal and commercial purposes, as long as you adhere to the GPL terms. This makes it an attractive alternative to Oracle JDK, especially for businesses looking to avoid licensing fees while still leveraging the full power of Java.

Oracle JDK, on the other hand, is a commercial product that requires a license from Oracle. While there are free versions available for personal use and development, commercial deployments typically require a paid license. It’s important to note that Oracle has introduced an enterprise-wide metric license model in 2021, which can significantly impact licensing costs.

Builds and Features

While OpenJDK and Oracle JDK share a common codebase and functionality, Oracle JDK may include additional proprietary tools as well as potential performance enhancements. However, these differences have become less pronounced over time as OpenJDK has matured.

Support and Updates

For OpenJDK, free updates are provided by the community, but enterprise-level support must be acquired through third-party vendors, such as Red Hat or Azul.

For Oracle JDK, Oracle provides long-term support (LTS) for specific versions and offers regular updates, including security patches, but only for paying customers. This typically requires a commercial license, which can be more expensive compared to the free OpenJDK model.

OpenJDK vs Oracle JDK Performance

Historically, Oracle JDK had a performance edge over OpenJDK due to optimizations and additional proprietary features. However, with ongoing contributions from the OpenJDK community and third-party vendors, performance gaps have narrowed significantly. Its performance is nearly identical to Oracle JDK in most use cases.

OpenJDK vs. Oracle JDK: Choosing the Right JDK

The decision of whether to go with OpenJDK or Oracle JDK depends on several factors, including your project requirements, budget, licensing needs, and support preferences.

For many businesses, the cost of Oracle JDK is a deciding factor. If you’re managing large-scale deployments, the recurring subscription fees could significantly add up. OpenJDK offers freedom from these costs, with the added benefit of a growing community of contributors keeping it up to date.

While OpenJDK doesn’t come with the same level of enterprise support as Oracle JDK, businesses can purchase third-party support from vendors like Red Hat or Amazon Corretto. These options allow organizations to benefit from high-quality Java builds with the safety net of professional support.

However, if you require commercial support, proprietary features, or specific performance optimizations, Oracle JDK may be a better fit. While it comes with a cost, Oracle JDK offers paid support options, access to proprietary features, and potentially better performance for certain workloads.

Final Thoughts

Choosing OpenJDK vs. Oracle JDK comes down to your organization’s specific needs. If you’re looking for a cost-effective, reliable solution with strong community support, OpenJDK is likely the better option. However, if your enterprise demands superior performance, enhanced security, and long-term support, Oracle JDK might be the safer bet.

Whether you choose OpenJDK or Oracle JDK, ensuring the security of your Java applications is crucial. For businesses seeking to strengthen their Java supply chain security and ensure compliance, TuxCare’s SecureChain for Java offers a comprehensive solution. By providing vetted Java packages and libraries as well as vulnerability fixes, it helps organizations protect their Java applications from emerging threats.

Furthermore, TuxCare’s Endless Lifecycle Support (ELS) offers ongoing vulnerability patches for your end-of-life Linux systems for as long as you need after the official support ends. This service covers over 140 packages, including OpenJDK, the Linux kernel, glibc, OpenSSL, OpenSSH, Python, and more. TuxCare’s ELS is available for CentOS 6, CentOS 7, CentOS 8, CentOS Stream 8, Oracle Linux 6, Oracle Linux 7, Ubuntu 16.04, and Ubuntu 18.04.

TuxCare also offers support for popular software languages like Python and PHP, as well as frameworks like Spring (Java). With Endless Lifecycle Support for Spring, you can extend the life of your Spring applications beyond their official end-of-life dates. This means continued security patches for as many additional years as you need, allowing you to maintain a stable and secure environment without the pressure of immediate upgrades.

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