Java is used in virtually every company. Oracle has revised its Java licensing model several times, costs have risen sharply, and regulatory requirements are increasing. ProLicense supports you with all four key Java challenges: cost optimization, choosing the right distribution, regulatory compliance, and security.
Schedule a free initial consultationdiscover our four consulting areas
Optimization
The new Oracle licensing model has multiplied costs for many companies. We'll show you concrete ways to reduce costs in the long term.
Consulting
Oracle Java isn't the only option. We evaluate all available distributions for your specific context and guide you through the transition.
Support
CRA, NIS2, KRITIS, BAIT, VAIT … Java is increasingly becoming the focus of regulatory requirements. We help you stay compliant.
Security
Unpatched versions of Java are a common attack vector. We assess your environment and address security vulnerabilities in a systematic manner.
Since 2023, the Oracle Java model has been based on an employee metric: Billing is no longer based on actual usage, but rather on the total number of employees, regardless of whether they use Java. For larger companies, this can mean a significant increase in costs.
ProLicense thoroughly analyzes your Java usage, assesses the impact on your situation, and identifies ways to reduce your costs sustainably without compromising quality.
| Distribution | Licensing model | Support | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Java | Paid (employee metric) | Oracle support | Commercial standard |
| Eclipse Temurin | Free (OpenJDK) | Community | Adoptium Working Group |
| Azul Zulu | Free / commercial | Commercially available | Advanced runtime optimization |
| Azul Platform Prime | Commercial | Commercial | Performance optimization |
| Amazon Corretto | Free | AWS support | AWS environments |
| Microsoft build of OpenJDK | Free | Microsoft support | Azure environments |
| Red Hat OpenJDK | Commercial | Red Hat support | RHEL environments |
Java is a component of many critical systems—unpatched or unsupported versions quickly become compliance gaps:
ProLicense analyzes your Java landscape with regard to these requirements and implements the necessary measures in a structured manner.
Java vulnerabilities are among the most frequently exploited attack vectors. Log4Shell has demonstrated the consequences that a single unpatched library can have. Many companies do not have a complete overview of the Java versions and libraries they are using.
Our Java security services
Whether your Oracle Java costs have skyrocketed, you’re facing a distribution change, or regulatory requirements remain unclear, ProLicense will analyze your situation during a free initial consultation and work with you to develop a Java strategy that aligns with your IT roadmap.
1.What has changed in the Oracle Java licensing model for 2023?
In 2023, Oracle fundamentally changed its Java licensing model. Instead of billing based on actual usage, as it had done previously, Oracle now charges based on a company’s total number of employees, regardless of whether they actually use Oracle Java. For many companies, this means a significant increase in costs. In a free initial consultation, ProLicense will analyze the extent to which you are affected and what options are available to you.
2.Is Oracle Java really a paid product? Does that also apply to older versions?
That depends on the version and the use case. Since Oracle Java 8 Update 211 (April 2019), Oracle Java has been subject to a fee for commercial use. Older licenses are subject to different terms. We can verify which versions you are using and whether a paid license is required for your environments.
3.What free alternatives to Oracle Java are available?
There are several fully compatible Java distributions available for free, including Eclipse Temurin (OpenJDK), Amazon Corretto, and Microsoft build of OpenJDK. Azul Zulu and Red Hat OpenJDK offer commercial alternatives with extended support. We would be happy to provide you with a recommendation on which distribution is best suited for your application environment and support needs.
4.How much work does it take to switch from Oracle Java to another distribution?
That depends on your application landscape. In many cases, the transition is technically straightforward, since all common Java distributions are based on OpenJDK and are fully compatible. The effort involved lies less in the technical aspects than in the careful analysis of the versions, dependencies, and configurations in use. ProLicense supports this process from analysis through to a successful migration.
5.What regulatory requirements apply to Java in my company?
That depends on your industry and the size of your company. The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) generally applies to all manufacturers and operators of software with digital elements. NIS2 covers a significantly broader group of companies than its predecessor. Financial service providers are also subject to BAIT and VAIT regulations issued by BaFin. Operators of critical infrastructure are subject to the KRITIS umbrella law. ProLicense analyzes which specific requirements are relevant to your situation.
