Is an Oracle Java Audit or sales call on its way? Here’s what you need to know

Over the past five years, Oracle has made four rounds of changes to its Java licensing and pricing policy for what was previously a free programming language and toolset used by thousands of organisations as the foundation for most business-critical software applications. 

Each of Oracle's pricing changes introduced more complexity, higher costs, and increased scrutiny. For IT Asset Management (ITAM) and Software Asset Management (SAM) professionals, these commercial developments signal a critical warning – an Oracle Java audit, or at a minimum a Oracle sales call is likely inevitable. 

According to Gartner, by 2026, more than 20% of organisations using Java applications will face such scenarios, potentially leading to unbudgeted noncompliance fees. So, the question is not if but when Oracle will come knocking, is your organisation ready? 

Why an Audit Seems Inevitable
There's little doubt that Oracle knows which organisations use Java. Through its licensing metrics, download monitoring, and "call home" capabilities, Oracle has an extensive lens into Java's global footprint. No matter where your team uses Java in your applications and infrastructure, it's safe to assume Oracle is aware at least how Java is installed. Larger organisations, with higher headcounts and broader application environments, face even greater financial exposure.

How Can You Prepare
To ward off a potential audit, remove the financial risk of violating Oracle Java licensing terms, and remain compliant, ITAM and SAM professionals should focus on four critical steps:

1. Assess Your Risk Based on Organisational Size
The employee-based licensing model means organisations with larger workforces have higher exposures. Additionally, growth correlates with the likelihood that application teams are downloading and updating licensed versions of Oracle Java. Begin by assessing your company's growth and estimating how extensive your potential Java utilisation is. Plan your organisation's Java strategy accordingly, accounting for both current footprint and future needs.

2. Identify the Spread of Oracle Java in Your Software Estate
Start by creating an inventory of every instance of Oracle Java within your IT infrastructure. Even if your Java footprint is small, as is often the case for organisations using it on select production servers, you still need to maintain a license. And if Oracle begins auditing your company, identifying your inventory mid-process can lead to costly outcomes. For organisations with larger Java estates, the stakes are amplified, especially if your usage exceeds your current contractual limits.

If you've already secured an Oracle SE subscription, consider negotiating grandfathered pricing for existing usage. However, history indicates that pricing increases are inevitable – with this in mind, organisations with significant Java dependencies should weigh the advantages of alternative Java provider solutions.

3. Determine What Licensing Data to Collect
Given Java's pervasiveness in enterprise environments, a thorough and up-to-date inventory of your Java estate is non-negotiable. Your inventory should capture key data points such as:

• Type and location of machines (e.g., physical desktops, servers, cloud instances) production and development.
• The credentials needed to access a physical machine or cloud instance via a network connection with sufficient privileges to permit the JDKs installation.
• Operating systems and if possible the versions in use
• Automated or manual install
• JDK version, including the original installed and then update patches This granular data will help you accurately assess compliance risks.

4. Leverage Asset Management Tools or Licensing Experts
An Oracle-approved ITAM or SAM tool, like Flexera or SHI, is invaluable. These platforms can track Java installations across your organisation, helping you generate a compliance snapshot. However, tools are only as effective as the data they're fed and missing servers or instances can leave your organisation exposed. As such, consider working with a Java-specific licensing expert or open-source distribution provider, to avoid potential blind spots. 

Why OpenJDK Matters
If Oracle's licensing and pricing changes feel like a financial pressure cooker, OpenJDK offers a viable alternative. OpenJDK solutions are- 100 per cent interchangeable with Oracle Java SE, thanks to the Java Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK) licensed directly from Oracle themselves. 

OpenJDK delivers on Java's "write once, run anywhere" promise, ensuring applications built on one distribution will work seamlessly on another. Whether you're running enterprise frameworks like Spring or platforms like Hadoop, TCK-tested OpenJDK distributions ensure portability across environments. By exploring OpenJDK solutions you can significantly reduce license dependency and associated costs. 

Close the Gaps Before Oracle Finds Them
For nearly three decades, Java has been the backbone of enterprise applications and infrastructure, with 99 per cent of businesses surveyed in Azul's 2025 State of Java Survey & Report indicating they use Java across their organization. 

Java's ubiquity underscores its importance in today's technology dependent organisations, but also its risks, given Oracle's licensing model. The solution lies in proactive preparation and why you must assess your risk, inventory your Java usage, collect relevant data, and explore cost-effective alternatives like OpenJDK. Additionally, as an added benefit, third-party OpenJDK providers like Azul support legacy releases of Java like version 6 & 7 no longer commercially supported by Oracle but still actively used by organizations today. According to Azul's 2025 State of Java Survey & Report, 10% of organizations still use Java 6, and 13% are still using Java 7.

A pending Oracle audit doesn't have to be a nightmare. With the right attention and asset management strategy, organisations can proactively avoid unplanned costs and ensure compliance. 

Don't wait for Oracle to call. Be ready today.