Java 11 License – What’s Free and What Requires Subscription
Java 11, released in 2018 as a long-term support (LTS) version, remains widely used in enterprises in 2025. However, its licensing can be a trap: some uses of Java 11 are free, while others can trigger a costly company-wide subscription.
Many CIOs and IT managers are unsure: Is Java 11 free for commercial use?
The truth is, it depends on which distribution you use and how you use it.
A single misstep (like running the wrong Java 11 in production) can lead to an unexpected six or seven-figure bill from Oracle. On the other hand, with the right approach, Java 11 can still be used at no cost. Read our Oracle Java Licensing Guide.
Key takeaway: Know exactly which Java 11 usage is free and which requires a paid license. This guide clarifies what’s free vs paid for Java 11 in 2025 – and how to keep your organization out of Oracle’s compliance crosshairs.
What’s Free with Java 11 (and When)
Several OpenJDK 11 distributions are available for free use in production.
Options like Eclipse Temurin (Adoptium), Amazon Corretto, Azul Zulu, and others provide Java 11 builds under an open-source license (GPL with Classpath Exception).
This means you can run Java 11 in production on these platforms without incurring any license fees to Oracle.
Oracle’s own JDK 11 can be used for free only in specific, non-production scenarios. Under Oracle’s Technology Network (OTN) license, you may use Oracle JDK 11 at no cost for development, testing, prototyping, or personal use.
For example, a developer can run Oracle JDK 11 on a workstation or QA server without incurring any costs. However, once Oracle JDK 11 is used to run a production workload or a commercial application, it becomes non-free.
For instance, even if Oracle’s JDK is installed on a developer’s laptop for coding (a non-production use), that’s allowed under the free terms. The key is that production deployments must stick to open-source Java builds to remain free.
Read about earlier versions, Java 8 Licensing Guide – From Free to OTN Restrictions: Compliance, Costs, and Strategy.
When Java 11 Requires a Subscription
If you run Oracle’s JDK 11 in production, you need a paid license. Oracle’s Java 11 is not free for commercial use – any business application on Oracle JDK 11 requires a Java SE subscription.
Furthermore, Oracle stopped providing free public updates for Java 11 after 2019; as a result, by 2025, only paying customers will receive security patches.
In other words, continuing to use Oracle’s JDK 11 long-term means you must pay for support or risk running outdated software.
So, is Java 11 free? It can be – but only if you use an OpenJDK build or keep Oracle’s JDK strictly to development/testing. In any production context, Oracle JDK 11 is not free of charge.
Additionally, be aware of Oracle’s licensing model, which has been per-employee since 2023. Even one Oracle JDK 11 instance can obligate you to license your entire workforce. Costs add up quickly – a mid-sized firm could owe hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
For example, a company with 8,000 employees discovered one Oracle JDK 11 server and incurred approximately $800,000/year in fees. In short, a “free” Oracle Java 11 download can snowball into a company-wide expense.
Java 11 vs Java 17/21 – Why the Rules Feel Different
Oracle’s approach to licensing changed with newer versions. With Java 17, Oracle introduced a No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC) license, effectively making Oracle JDK 17 and later free for production use while they are the latest LTS.
Oracle JDK 17 was free until Java 21 was released (after which it required a subscription), and Oracle JDK 21 remains free until Java 25 is introduced. This created an impression that “Java is free again” for those new LTS releases.
However, Java 11 never got an NFTC period. It stayed under the old OTN license with no free production use. By 2025, Oracle expects Java 11 users either to be paying or to have upgraded. The free-use talk for Java 17/21 doesn’t apply backward to Java 11.
If you remain on Java 11, your best option is to use an OpenJDK distribution (to avoid any license ties) or migrate to a newer version of Java on OpenJDK.
That way, you benefit from updates and features without falling into an Oracle fee once the free period on newer Java versions ends.
For later versions, Java 17 Licensing – NFTC vs. OTN and What Changed in 2025.
Deployment Traps That Turn “Free” into “Paid”
Even seemingly minor deployment choices can turn “free” Java into a paid use.
For example, using an Oracle JDK base image in Docker, or a third-party product that bundles Oracle Java 11, means you’re running Oracle’s software in production. The table below highlights such scenarios and guides how to avoid them.
Clear Use-Case Matrix – Free vs Subscription
| Java 11 Scenario | Free or Requires Subscription? | Why | Example Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenJDK 11 in production (Temurin, Corretto, etc.) | Free | Open-source license (GPL+CPE); not under Oracle’s commercial terms. | $0 cost (e.g. 500 servers = $0 to Oracle). | Use OpenJDK across all systems; no Oracle license needed. |
| Oracle JDK 11 in production | Subscription required | Oracle’s license forbids free commercial use; requires paid subscription for production use. | e.g. 5,000 employees → ~$600k/year. | Remove Oracle JDK and switch to OpenJDK 11, or budget for Oracle’s subscription. |
| Oracle JDK 11 for dev/test only | Free (if never in prod) | Allowed under Oracle’s OTN terms for non-production (dev, test) use. | $0 as long as it stays in dev/test. | Use OpenJDK even in dev/test to prevent any accidental production deployment of Oracle JDK. |
| Container image contains Oracle JDK 11 | Subscription required | A container running Oracle JDK counts as using Oracle Java in production. | e.g. 2,000 employees → ~$240k/year. | Use container base images with OpenJDK 11 only; rebuild any images that had Oracle JDK. |
| Vendor software with Oracle JRE 11 | Subscription likely | If a vendor bundles Oracle Java, you’re running Oracle code in prod (unless vendor covers it). | e.g. 1,500 employees → ~$180k/year. | Get vendor to use OpenJDK or obtain written assurance they cover the Oracle license. |
| Employee devices (laptops) with Oracle JDK | Generally free for dev | Oracle JDK on developer PCs is free for development; using it to run internal business apps would be commercial use. | $0 if only used for coding. | Standardize on OpenJDK for all employee devices. Ensure any internal apps use an OpenJDK runtime. |
| VDI/Citrix images include Oracle Java 11 | Subscription required | If virtual desktop images include Oracle JRE/JDK for business apps, each user session counts as Oracle Java use. | Broad impact: e.g. 1,000 virtual desktop users → ~$150k/year. | Use OpenJDK in all VDI base images so virtual desktops stay license-free. |
Cost & Risk – How Java 11 Turns into a Company-Wide Bill
Oracle’s per-employee licensing model means that using Java 11 incorrectly can become a very expensive mistake. As soon as Oracle JDK 11 is running in production, the organization must license all employees.
Unlike the old per-server model, costs can balloon: even a few hundred employees can result in a six-figure annual fee. Oracle’s compliance audits also tend to look backward, potentially charging for years of past use if you were unlicensed.
In short, a seemingly small Java 11 usage can translate into a large, company-wide bill – which is why proactive management of Java 11 is essential.
Mitigation Playbook (Actionable Steps)
To avoid surprise costs and stay compliant, take these steps:
- Standardize on OpenJDK 11: Make it policy that all servers, VMs, and containers use approved OpenJDK 11 distributions (e.g., Temurin or Corretto). This eliminates most Oracle licensing risk upfront.
- Audit for Oracle JDK regularly: Scan your environment for any Oracle JDK 11 installations (servers, PCs, build environments). If found, replace them with OpenJDK. Regular audits ensure no rogue Oracle Java is lurking.
- Enforce download/update rules: Prevent unapproved downloads of Oracle Java. Provide developers with internal repos of OpenJDK 11 and ensure build pipelines use those. This prevents Oracle JDK from being installed via updates or builds.
- Work with vendors: Require software vendors to certify that they use OpenJDK (or take responsibility for any Oracle Java they include). Update procurement standards to require that any third-party software with Java must be either Oracle-free or licensed by the vendor.
- Steer clear of Oracle-only add-ons: Don’t use Oracle’s Java management tools or features (like certain monitoring consoles) unless you have a license. Stick to open-source alternatives that work with OpenJDK 11 to avoid inadvertently needing a subscription.
- Plan Java upgrades wisely: If migrating off 11, choose newer Java LTS (17 or 21) on OpenJDK. Don’t rely on Oracle’s temporary free periods—by staying on open source, you won’t face a sudden bill when those periods end. If you need support, consider third-party OpenJDK support instead of Oracle.
FAQs
Is Oracle JDK 11 free for commercial use in 2025?
No. Oracle JDK 11 is free only for personal, development, and testing purposes – not for running production systems. Any commercial deployment requires a Java SE subscription.
Can I use OpenJDK 11 in a production environment?
Yes. OpenJDK 11 (e.g., Eclipse Temurin or Amazon Corretto builds) is free to use in production. It’s open-source, so you owe Oracle nothing for running it.
Do I need a Java SE Universal Subscription if I only use OpenJDK 11?
No. If your organization uses OpenJDK 11 exclusively (and no Oracle JDK), you don’t need Oracle’s Java SE subscription.
What if third-party software bundles Oracle Java 11?
If a vendor’s product bundles Oracle’s Java 11, then using it means you’re running Oracle’s software. Unless the vendor arranged a license, you could be held responsible. Push them to use OpenJDK or cover the Java license.
How do I verify whether a server is running Oracle JDK 11 or OpenJDK 11?
Run java -version on the server and read the output. Oracle’s JDK will mention “HotSpot(TM)” and reference Oracle Corporation, whereas OpenJDK builds will say “OpenJDK” and often include the distribution name (like Adoptium, Red Hat, etc.). This version string is the quickest way to distinguish between them.
Does employee-based licensing apply to Java 11 specifically or to all Java versions?
It applies to all versions of Oracle Java. The Java SE Universal Subscription (per-employee licensing) covers any use of Oracle’s Java SE, whether it’s Java 8, 11, 17, or beyond. It’s not specific to Java 11 – it’s Oracle’s current licensing model for all Java SE products.
When does Java 11 stop getting updates (and why does it matter)?
Oracle’s free public updates for Java 11 ended in 2019. Some OpenJDK providers released Java 11 fixes in the early 2020s, but by 2025, these had mostly stopped. Without paid support or an upgrade, Java 11 will remain unpatched, which poses a security risk.
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