Difference Between Oracle JDK and OpenJDK
Here are a couple of lines each for Oracle JDK and OpenJDK:
Oracle JDK
Oracle JDK is a commercial Java Development Kit that offers official support, regular updates, and minor performance optimizations, making it a popular choice for large-scale enterprise applications.
OpenJDK
OpenJDK is an open-source Java Development Kit that provides a free and community-driven alternative to Oracle JDK, with a strong focus on collaboration and transparency, making it a great option for developers and organizations seeking flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
| Feature | Oracle JDK | OpenJDK |
|---|---|---|
| License | Oracle No-Fee Terms (since Java 17+) | GNU General Public License (GPL) with Classpath Exception |
| Source Code | Based on OpenJDK, with some commercial features | Fully open source |
| Support | Official support from Oracle (subscription-based for long-term) | Community-driven support or vendor-specific |
| Performance | Often has minor optimizations and enhancements | Slightly behind Oracle JDK in performance in some cases |
| Update Frequency | Regular updates from Oracle | Updates depend on the distributor (e.g., Adoptium, Red Hat) |
| Commercial Use | Free for general use (Java 17+); licensing terms apply | Free and open source |
Which One Should You Choose?
- Use OpenJDK if you want a free and open-source solution with strong community support.
- Choose Oracle JDK if you need commercial support, enterprise features, or Oracle certification compatibility.