- 28
- February
Java 8 was first released in March 2014 — that's 12 years ago — yet it remains the JDK version used by countless organizations worldwide. The bad news: OpenJDK 8 community support ends in November 2026, leaving only about 9 months. This article summarizes the full situation and provides a migration plan that Thai organizations should start executing today.
Why Is Java 8 Still So Popular?
Java 8 was one of the versions that truly "revolutionized" the Java language by introducing several key features that developers still use extensively today:
- Lambda Expressions made Functional Programming in Java far more convenient
- Stream API transformed Collection processing from traditional loops to more readable pipelines
- Optional helped reduce NullPointerException — the "arch-nemesis" of Java developers
- Date/Time API (java.time) replaced the long-problematic java.util.Date
- Default Methods in Interfaces enabled API evolution without breaking backward compatibility
These features made Java 8 a "sweet spot" where many organizations felt "it works well enough, no need to upgrade" — and that's where the problems begin.
Current Java 8 Usage Statistics
Data from multiple sources shows that Java 8 usage is declining but remains substantial:
- In 2022, New Relic reported that Java 8 was still used by 46% of applications worldwide
- By 2025, the landscape shifted significantly — Java 17 rose to the top at 61% and Java 21 followed at 45%, but Java 8 still holds a significant share
- 88% of organizations are considering migrating away from Oracle Java to alternatives (Azul 2025 survey)
- 62% of organizations use Java for AI applications (Azul 2026 report), showing Java remains a primary enterprise language
Alarming Numbers
Although Java 17 and 21 have gained popularity rapidly, many organizations remain "stuck on Java 8" due to legacy systems they're afraid to touch, high migration costs, or lack of skilled personnel. If your organization falls in this group, it's time to start planning urgently.
Timeline: When Does Java 8 EOL for Each Vendor?
Java 8's end of life doesn't happen simultaneously across all vendors, as each has different support policies:
| Vendor / Distribution | Support Type | Java 8 EOL Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Java SE 8 | Public Updates | January 2019 | Ended |
| Oracle Java SE 8 | Extended Support (paid) | December 2030 | Requires payment |
| OpenJDK 8 (Community) | Community Support | November 2026 | 9 months remaining |
| Red Hat OpenJDK 8 | Commercial Support | November 2026 | 9 months remaining |
| Amazon Corretto 8 | Free LTS | Approximately 2026 | Nearing EOL |
| Eclipse Temurin 8 | Community (Adoptium) | Follows Upstream OpenJDK | ~Nov 2026 |
| BellSoft Liberica JDK 8 | Extended Commercial | March 2031 | Extended |
| Azul Zulu 8 | Extended Commercial | Extended Support options available | Can be extended |
In short: If your organization uses free OpenJDK 8 (whether Community, Red Hat, Amazon Corretto, or Eclipse Temurin), your time is running out in November 2026. After that, there will be no more security patches.
Risks of Continuing to Use Java 8 After EOL
Many organizations may think "the system still works fine, no need to change" — but that overlooks serious risks:
1. Security Vulnerabilities
Once Java 8 reaches EOL, no one will release Security Patches anymore. This means newly discovered vulnerabilities (Zero-day Vulnerabilities) will remain unpatched, leaving your system exposed to attacks at all times. For ERP systems handling financial and personal data, this risk is even higher. Read more about data security in ERP systems
2. Compliance Issues
Many security standards such as PCI DSS, ISO 27001, PDPA require organizations to use software within its support period. Using Java 8 after EOL may result in audit failures and regulatory penalties. Good risk management must include software upgrade planning.
3. New Libraries and Frameworks No Longer Support Java 8
The trend in the Java Ecosystem is to "Drop Java 8 Support" one by one:
- Spring Framework 6 / Spring Boot 3 requires Java 17 or higher
- Jakarta EE 10+ does not support Java 8
- Hibernate 6+ requires Java 11 or higher
- Apache Tomcat 11 requires Java 17
- Popular libraries like Guava, Jackson, and Netty are also dropping Java 8 support one by one
The longer you wait, the harder the upgrade becomes, as you'll need to jump across multiple versions simultaneously.
4. Missing Performance Improvements
Newer Java versions include continuous JVM improvements such as G1 GC, ZGC, Shenandoah GC, and AOT Caching in JDK 26 that dramatically speeds up application startup. Staying on Java 8 means missing performance improvements you'd get without changing a single line of code.
5. Talent Challenges
Newer developers are less familiar with Java 8 and prefer working with modern technologies. Continuing to use Java 8 may cause your organization to lose talented personnel to companies using more modern technology stacks.
Migration Plan: The Path from Java 8 to Java 25
Upgrading from Java 8 to the latest version should not be done in one leap. Instead, take it step by step, pausing at each LTS (Long Term Support) version:
| Step | Version | Type | Key Changes Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current | Java 8 | LTS (EOL) | - |
| Step 1 | Java 11 | LTS | Module System (JPMS), Java EE APIs removed from JDK |
| Step 2 | Java 17 | LTS | Sealed Classes, Pattern Matching, Strong Encapsulation |
| Step 3 | Java 21 | LTS | Virtual Threads, Record Patterns, Sequenced Collections |
| Target | Java 25 | LTS (GA Sep 2026) | All latest features + long LTS support |
Why Take It Step by Step?
Jumping directly from Java 8 to Java 21 or 25 may seem time-saving, but in practice it often causes numerous issues:
- Java 9 introduced a major change with the Module System (JPMS) that affects the entire classpath
- Java 11 removed Java EE APIs from the JDK (javax.xml.bind, javax.annotation, etc.)
- Java 17 enforced Strong Encapsulation, making --illegal-access no longer available
- Each step has breaking changes that must be tested and fixed separately
Taking it step by step helps development teams identify and fix issues more easily, reducing the risk of system failures at any given stage.
Practical Steps for Migrating from Java 8
Step 1: Audit and Assess
- Survey how many Java 8 applications your organization has
- Check all dependencies (using the
jdepstool) - Identify dependencies that use JDK internal APIs
- Estimate the scope of required changes
Step 2: Update Dependencies
- Update all libraries to versions that support the target Java version
- Replace Java EE APIs with Jakarta EE equivalents
- Update Build Tools (Maven/Gradle) to the latest version
- Update IDEs and various plugins
Step 3: Fix Code
- Fix deprecated API calls
- Handle the Module System (add
module-info.javaor use--add-modules,--add-opens) - Fix reflection accessing internal APIs
- Adjust JVM options for the new version
Step 4: Thorough Testing
- Run all Unit Tests
- Run Integration Tests
- Conduct Performance Testing compared to Java 8
- Test in a Staging environment before Production
Step 5: Deploy and Monitor
- Deploy one service at a time (for Microservices)
- Always have a Rollback plan ready. See details about Disaster Recovery planning
- Monitor performance and Error Rate after deployment
- Adjust JVM Tuning Parameters as needed
Options: Switch Vendors or Upgrade Versions?
For organizations not yet ready to migrate to a newer Java version, there are two options:
Option A: Move to a Vendor with Extended Support
Some companies offer extended support for Java 8 after the OpenJDK Community stops support:
- BellSoft Liberica JDK 8 extends support to March 2031
- Azul Zulu 8 offers Extended Commercial Support options
- Oracle Java SE 8 Extended Support until December 2030, but requires licensing fees based on Per-Employee Pricing
Pros: Buys several more years without code changes
Cons: Incurs costs without gaining new features. It merely "postpones the problem" rather than "solving it."
Option B: Upgrade to Java 21 or Java 25
This is the recommended option as it addresses the root cause:
- Java 21 (LTS) is the best choice right now with long support and a ready ecosystem
- Java 25 (LTS) will be GA in September 2026 — a great long-term target
- See new features in JDK 26 to understand where Java is heading
ERP and Java: Why This Matters for ERP Systems
Most enterprise-level ERP systems are built with Java or have Java-based components, including:
- Application Servers such as Apache Tomcat, WildFly, WebLogic, WebSphere
- Middleware that connects various systems together
- Reporting Engines such as JasperReports, BIRT
- ETL Tools for data migration
If the Java Runtime of your ERP system reaches EOL, every component running on that Java version is also at risk.
Saeree ERP by Grand Linux Solution Co., Ltd. fully understands the importance of this issue. We prioritize regular updates to our foundational technology so that our customers never have to worry about the EOL of their Runtime Environment.
Upgrading Java isn't just a developer concern — it's a matter of Business Continuity for the entire organization. Executives must be involved in decision-making and budget allocation for this initiative.
- Grand Linux Solution Team
Checklist for Organizations Still Using Java 8
Use this checklist to start planning today:
- Survey how many Java 8 applications your organization has and where they are
- Check which JDK vendor you're using and their support policy
- Estimate the budget for migration or purchasing Extended Support
- Prioritize which applications to migrate first (by Business Impact)
- Form a Migration team and set a clear timeline
- Start a Proof of Concept (POC) with the least critical application first
- Plan a comprehensive Testing Strategy
- Prepare Rollback plans for every step
- Set a definite Go-live date before November 2026
Summary
Java 8 community support ends in November 2026 — only about 9 months remain. Here's what organizations should do now:
- Don't wait! Start planning your migration today. 9 months may sound long, but for enterprise systems, it's very little time.
- Choose a clear target. Java 21 (LTS) is the safest choice right now, or wait for Java 25 (LTS) releasing in September 2026.
- Take it step by step. Don't jump across multiple versions. Going 8 → 11 → 17 → 21 is safer.
- Evaluate options. If not ready to migrate, consider purchasing Extended Support from a suitable vendor to buy time.
- Don't forget your ERP system. Verify that your current ERP system supports newer Java versions.
If your organization is looking for a modern ERP system with a team that continuously maintains the foundational technology, Saeree ERP by Grand Linux Solution Co., Ltd. is ready to provide comprehensive consulting and services.
