Which free version of Java can I use for production environments and or commercial purposes?
While I was in a dockerization project in my current job, I got this doubt: Which Java can I use? This doubt is due to : So after some researches I got these conclusions:
- Since the Java 8 update at April 16, 2019 8u221, all versions and updates for (Java 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13) has no cost just for personal use and development purposes. Any other use, needs a Commercial License
- Legacy versions prior to 7, does not have and will not have any update. Maybe a sales contact could be a solution if an update in these versions are required for Legacy Systems Support.
- If I want to use Java 8 oracle version for commercials purposes and FREE, I need to use a previous version of April 16, 2019 8u221 update
Questions
According to my conclusions:
- If my development strictly needs or was developed with JDK 8, Can I only use Oracle Java SE 8 JDK 8u202 and earlier versions for FREE and commercial purposes accepting issues and security problems?
- If I can change my development and I want still FREE, and I want to have improvements and security updates, I must use one of these java open implementations?
References
- End of Public Updates for Oracle JDK 8
- The Oracle JDK License has changed for releases starting April 16, 2019.
- Official List of updates and release versions
- Java official supported versions
- Oracle Java 8 download alert
- Oracle Java 8 unsupported but free version
- Java 4 legacy official download page
- Java 5 legacy official download page
- Java 6 legacy official download page
- Java 7 legacy official download page
28.2k 70 70 gold badges 163 163 silver badges 267 267 bronze badges
asked Oct 5, 2019 at 17:38
JRichardsz JRichardsz
16.1k 7 7 gold badges 66 66 silver badges 106 106 bronze badges
Here is a good video explaining this: youtube.com/watch?v=eBuFzQeiGe0
Commented Oct 5, 2019 at 17:46
Thank you for the JDK 8 download link (unsupported but free version). That's what I was looking for.
Commented Dec 18, 2019 at 11:09
"Oracle provides JDK 17 builds under yet another license: oracle.com/downloads/licenses/no-fee-license.html Does this change anything substantially?" -- It may be game changer for Oracle customers. I will stick to adoptium.net (adoptjdk new home)
Commented Sep 15, 2021 at 13:18
@joachim-sauer, too many lawyer terms in oracle.com/downloads/licenses/no-fee-license.html :S. I think these are some vital parts to understand this new oracle ad: just for internal business operations, only if there is express authorization of such use by Oracle. On another hand, according to the #sunny answer, just the 17 version could be used in production.
Commented Sep 16, 2021 at 14:27
@JRichardsz: yes, that is my problem as well. It's why I'm not taking the "it's free now" message at face value and would like an answer who actually knows about licenses and can parse that into plain English. For the time being I'll definitely treat that license as "tainted" i.e. won't use Oracle JDK.
