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Java is still free, or is it not?

Java is still free, or is it not? This is the question that comes up every time we have a discussion with the customer.

The one line answer is:
Oracle Java SE is free, provided you are aware of the rules.

History of free & not-free Java

  • Java was free till April 2019
  • Java became ‘not-free’ from April 2019
  • Oracle announced ‘Java is free’ again in September 2021

But, important in all of the three above dates is ‘there are caveats’ and rules:

  • Even when Java was ‘not-free’, there were situations when the customer did not / does not need to pay additional money for Java to Oracle.
  • Even today, when Java is supposedly ‘free’, there are situations when the customer needs to pay money to Oracle.

What is surely not free in the case of Oracle Java?

The following are not free:

  • Use of commercial features
  • Use of Java versions that come under the OTN agreement & have no prior-entitlement through schedules or other agreements

Java JDK free download

  • The latest LTS version of Java is Java SE 21  ( released in September 2024)
  • Java SE 21 will be free till September 2027
  • Updates to the above will be free till September 2028 (e.g. Java SE 23 is free under the NFTC agreement)

What about Java Se 17 Downloads?

  • Till September 2023, Oracle Java SE 17 / Java17 was available free.
  • Free versions of Java17 downloads are still available from the Java Archives page.
  • The current update of Java17 is under the OTN Agreement. This is not free (unless you have prior-entitlements)

Important Note:

Java licensing is complex. Our recommendation to all customers is to get a Java License Deployment visibility analysis carried out. Get License Experts like us or any other independent advisor to help you. All our customers have seen huge benefits in cost reduction.

 

 

 

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SHESHAGIRI ANEGONDI

CEO of Rythium Technologies

Prior to this, Sheshu was employed at Oracle Corporation for 16 years where he was the Vice President of their India Technology Business Unit. He earlier led the Applications business for key industry. He has been responsible for a majority of the largest companies adopting Oracle technology & applications at scale; and was also responsible for introducing Exadata into India.

Sheshu is now a globally recognized expert on Oracle licensing and has worked on 260+ projects in Oracle cost reduction, Oracle Audit Disputes & Oracle License Compliance.

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