Oracle Java vs OpenJDK Patch Cycle FAQ
Many enterprises still believe that Oracle’s Java gets patches faster or of higher quality than open-source OpenJDK. That belief is outdated. Oracle and OpenJDK both receive the same core security fixes.
In fact, Oracle’s own JDK is built from the OpenJDK project. Oracle adds some packaging and testing, but not special code.
This FAQ will clear up common questions and explain how Java security patching really works with OpenJDK versus Oracle. Spoiler: OpenJDK is not a second-class citizen when it comes to security.
Pro Tip: OpenJDK isn’t behind Oracle – it’s where Oracle gets its fixes from.
Read our larger guide to Oracle Java Security Patching & Support Strategies.
Q1 – Do Oracle and OpenJDK Get Different Patches?
No. Oracle Java and OpenJDK share the same upstream codebase.
Oracle’s engineers contribute fixes directly to the OpenJDK project. Any security patch that Oracle issues is applied in OpenJDK’s source code as well.
There are no “exclusive” patches that only Oracle’s JDK gets. Different vendors might repackage or test the updates in their own builds, but the actual code fixes are identical across Oracle JDK and OpenJDK-based JDKs. In short, the core Java platform vulnerabilities are fixed for everyone simultaneously.
Historically, Oracle’s commercial JDK included a few proprietary tools and features (such as flight recorder and advanced monitoring) on top of OpenJDK.
However, those did not affect core security fixes, and most have since been open-sourced. When it comes to security patches, OpenJDK and Oracle Java are on equal footing.
Q2 – When Do OpenJDK Updates Release Compared to Oracle?
OpenJDK updates are usually released at almost the same time as Oracle’s updates. Oracle releases Java security fixes on a predictable quarterly schedule (the Critical Patch Update, every January, April, July, and October).
In practice, OpenJDK distributors publish their patched builds within hours or a day or two of Oracle’s release.
Major OpenJDK providers like Eclipse Adoptium (Temurin), Red Hat, Amazon Corretto, and others coordinate their release schedules with Oracle’s. They aim to make new patches available as soon as Oracle makes the fixes public.
For example, if Oracle releases a CPU update on a Tuesday afternoon, you might see updated OpenJDK builds from vendors later that day or the next day. For most enterprises, this tiny lag is negligible.
The key point: Oracle doesn’t get a head start on the actual fixes—they just publish their own binary first because they’re the source. OpenJDK-based vendors race to release their updates right on Oracle’s heels.
Pro Tip: Oracle doesn’t get patches earlier—they just publish first.
Q3 – Are OpenJDK Builds as Secure as Oracle’s?
Yes. OpenJDK builds are just as secure as Oracle’s Java builds. The same vulnerabilities are addressed in both. Security fixes in OpenJDK are open source and are reviewed and vetted by a global community (including Oracle’s own developers).
There are no hidden security enhancements in Oracle’s distribution that OpenJDK lacks.
OpenJDK is actually the reference implementation for Java. It undergoes intense scrutiny from many organizations and experts, not just Oracle.
As long as you stay current with updates on a supported Java version (for example, the latest LTS release), an OpenJDK distribution is every bit as secure. It is just as enterprise-ready as Oracle’s Java.
Many large companies run critical production systems on OpenJDK-based platforms with full confidence in their security and stability.
Q4 – Why Does Oracle Claim “Certified Security”?
Oracle markets its paid Java builds as “certified” for security and stability.
This means Oracle rigorously tests its Java binaries internally and provides official support for them in enterprise environments. “Certified” indicates a controlled quality-assurance process and a guarantee that Oracle will stand behind the build.
However, “certified” does not mean “more secure” in terms of actual code fixes.
The security content is the same as in OpenJDK. Every Java distribution must pass the same Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK) tests to ensure it meets Java standards. OpenJDK builds from various vendors do pass these tests.
Oracle’s certification is mainly about their branding and support promise, not about having extra patches.
Most organizations find that testing and validation by the OpenJDK community (and by reputable vendors providing OpenJDK builds) are more than sufficient for reliability.
In other words, you do not gain any secret security fixes by using Oracle’s JDK — you mainly gain a vendor support contract and a comfort factor.
Q5 – What If I Need Older Java Version Patches?
That’s where extended support comes in. The free OpenJDK community focuses on current long-term support (LTS) versions of Java.
When a Java version reaches its end-of-life for community updates, it stops getting free patches. For example, Java 8 and Java 11 eventually lost official community support as newer LTS releases (Java 17, Java 21, etc.) took over.
If your enterprise relies on an older Java release that’s no longer community-supported, you will need a vendor’s help for patches.
Several companies — such as Azul, Red Hat, and others — offer their own builds with extended security updates for legacy Java versions.
In fact, some alternative vendors support Java versions that Oracle itself has long dropped. (For instance, Azul provides fixes for Java 6 and 7 under extended support contracts, whereas Oracle ended public updates for those many years ago.)
Even though you have to pay for these extended support services, they generally cost far less than Oracle’s Java SE subscription.
This allows you to keep older applications secure without staying tied to Oracle’s licensing.
How to manage older versions: Managing Out-of-Date Java Versions Securely.
Patch Timing Comparison Table
Below is a comparison of how quickly various Java providers deliver security patches, along with what their updates are based on and their cost model:
| Vendor | Patch Timing | Source | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Java | Quarterly (Oracle’s CPU schedule) | OpenJDK upstream | Paid (Java SE Subscription) |
| Eclipse Adoptium (Temurin) | Same week as Oracle’s release | OpenJDK | Free |
| Amazon Corretto | Same day or within 1–2 days | OpenJDK | Free |
| Red Hat OpenJDK | Within Oracle’s CPU release window | OpenJDK | Free (with RHEL subscription) |
| Azul Platform Core | Synchronized with Oracle’s schedule | OpenJDK | Paid |
This table shows that all providers rely on the OpenJDK source for patches, so the fixes are equivalent. The timing differences are minor (often just days or less).
Pro Tip: OpenJDK vendors race to apply patches—they don’t lag.
Q6 – What’s the Best Patch Strategy Without Oracle?
To maintain a solid Java patch strategy after leaving Oracle, adopt these best practices:
1️⃣ Standardize on one OpenJDK vendor. Pick a trusted distribution and use it consistently across your organization to simplify support and updates.
2️⃣ Follow Oracle’s CPU release calendar. Plan your update cycle around the same quarterly dates (the Oracle Critical Patch Update schedule) so you never miss a security patch.
3️⃣ Automate update testing and rollout. Use scripts or management tools to quickly test patches in staging and deploy them to production. This speeds up the application of fixes with minimal risk.
4️⃣ Retire old Java versions before support ends. Proactively upgrade applications to a supported Java LTS version while the old version continues to receive updates. This way, you’re never running an unpatched runtime.
5️⃣ Use extended support for critical legacy systems. If an outdated Java version must remain in service, subscribe to a vendor’s extended support plan for that version (it’s still much cheaper than Oracle). This ensures you continue to get security fixes.
5 Pro Tips
1️⃣ OpenJDK and Oracle Java share the same security codebase. There’s no secret patch that Oracle gets exclusively.
2️⃣ Java patch release lag on OpenJDK is measured in hours, not months. Free OpenJDK distributions ship security fixes almost as fast as Oracle’s official release.
3️⃣ Avoid mixing JDK vendors. Stick with a single OpenJDK distribution for all your Java deployments to simplify updates and ensure compatibility.
4️⃣ Use automation to track LTS lifecycles. Keep an eye on when your Java version’s support ends and schedule upgrades in advance.
5️⃣ Trust community fixes — they’re enterprise-grade. OpenJDK security updates are high quality, thanks to broad expertise and collaboration.
5 Actions to Take After Reading
1️⃣ Check your organization’s Java versions. Make an inventory to identify which Java vendor and version is installed on each server or application.
2️⃣ Align patching with Oracle’s schedule. Note the quarterly CPU release dates and plan to apply Java updates as soon as each arrives.
3️⃣ Standardize on a single OpenJDK vendor. If you currently use multiple Java distributions, choose one provider and consolidate to it for consistency.
4️⃣ Subscribe to patch notifications. Sign up for security bulletins or update alerts from your chosen OpenJDK vendor, so you know immediately when new patches are available.
5️⃣ Remove outdated Oracle JDK installations. Uninstall any Oracle-supplied JDK that isn’t getting updates or support. This eliminates unpatched Java instances from your environment, reducing risk.
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