- 28
- February
Java 8 was first released in March 2014 — that's 12 years ago. Yet it remains one of the most widely used JDK versions across enterprises worldwide. The bad news is that OpenJDK 8 Community Support will end in November 2026, leaving only about 9 months from now. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the situation, along with a practical migration plan that organizations should start executing today.
Why Is Java 8 Still So Popular?
Java 8 was one of the most "revolutionary" versions of the Java language, introducing key features that developers continue to rely on heavily:
- Lambda Expressions made functional programming in Java significantly more convenient
- Stream API transformed collection processing from traditional loops to readable pipelines
- Optional helped reduce NullPointerException — the "archenemy" 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" — which is exactly where the problem begins.
Java 8 Usage Statistics Today
Data from multiple sources shows that Java 8 usage is declining but remains significant:
- 2022: New Relic reported that Java 8 was still used by 46% of applications worldwide
- 2025: The landscape has shifted considerably. Java 17 has risen to the top at 61%, and Java 21 follows at 45%. However, Java 8 still maintains a significant share
- 88% of enterprises are considering leaving Oracle Java for alternatives (Azul 2025 survey)
- 62% of enterprises now use Java for AI applications (Azul 2026 report), showing Java remains a primary enterprise language
A Startling Reality
While Java 17 and 21 adoption is growing rapidly, a significant number of organizations remain "stuck on Java 8" due to legacy systems they dare not touch, high migration costs, or lack of specialized personnel. If your organization falls into this category, it is time to start planning immediately.
Timeline: When Does Java 8 Expire for Each Vendor?
Java 8's end of life does not 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 left |
| Red Hat OpenJDK 8 | Commercial Support | November 2026 | 9 months left |
| Amazon Corretto 8 | Free LTS | ~2026 | Approaching 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 available | Extended option |
Bottom line: 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 date, 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 this overlooks serious risks:
1. Security Vulnerabilities
Once Java 8 reaches EOL, no one will release security patches for it. This means newly discovered vulnerabilities (zero-day exploits) will remain unpatched, leaving your systems permanently exposed to attacks. This is especially critical for ERP systems that handle financial data and personal information. Learn more about ERP data security.
2. Compliance Issues
Multiple security standards such as PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and Thailand's PDPA require organizations to use software that is within its support period. Running Java 8 after EOL may fail audit requirements and risk penalties. Proper risk management must include software upgrade planning.
3. New Libraries and Frameworks Dropping Java 8 Support
The Java ecosystem is progressively dropping Java 8 support:
- 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 gradually dropping Java 8 support
The longer you wait, the harder migration becomes, as you will need to jump across multiple versions simultaneously.
4. Missing Performance Improvements
Newer Java versions continuously improve the JVM with enhancements like G1 GC, ZGC, Shenandoah GC, and AOT Caching in JDK 26 that dramatically improves application startup time. Staying on Java 8 means missing out on significant performance gains that require zero code changes.
5. Talent Retention Challenges
Newer developers are less familiar with Java 8 patterns and prefer working with modern technologies. Remaining on Java 8 may cause your organization to lose talented personnel to companies using more up-to-date technology stacks.
Migration Roadmap: From Java 8 to Java 25
Upgrading from Java 8 to the latest version should not be done in a single jump. Instead, follow a step-by-step approach, pausing at each LTS (Long Term Support) version:
| Step | Version | Type | Key Changes to Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current | Java 8 | LTS (EOL) | - |
| Step 1 | Java 11 | LTS | Module System (JPMS), removal of Java EE APIs 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 functional
- Each step has breaking changes that must be tested and fixed separately
Taking it step by step allows development teams to identify and resolve issues more easily, reducing the risk of system failures at any single stage.
Practical Migration Steps from Java 8
Step 1: Audit and Assess
- Inventory all Java 8 applications in your organization
- Analyze all dependencies (use the
jdepstool) - Identify dependencies using internal JDK APIs
- Estimate the scope of required changes
Step 2: Update Dependencies
- Update all libraries to versions compatible with your target Java version
- Replace Java EE APIs with Jakarta EE equivalents
- Update build tools (Maven/Gradle) to the latest versions
- Update IDE and plugins
Step 3: Fix Code
- Fix deprecated API calls
- Handle Module System requirements (add
module-info.javaor use--add-modules,--add-opens) - Fix reflection accessing internal APIs
- Adjust JVM options for the new version
Step 4: Test Thoroughly
- 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 service by service (for microservices architectures)
- Always have a rollback plan ready. See details about Disaster Recovery planning
- Monitor performance and error rates post-deployment
- Tune JVM parameters as needed
Alternatives: Switch Vendors or Upgrade Versions?
For organizations not yet ready to migrate to a newer Java version, there are two approaches:
Option A: Switch to a Vendor with Extended Support
Some companies offer Extended Support for Java 8 beyond the OpenJDK community end date:
- 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 per-employee licensing fees
Pros: Buys you several more years without code changes.
Cons: Requires ongoing costs, and you still miss out on new features. This is "postponing the problem," not "solving it."
Option B: Upgrade to Java 21 or Java 25
This is the recommended approach as it addresses the root cause:
- Java 21 (LTS) is the best choice right now with long support and a mature ecosystem
- Java 25 (LTS) will GA in September 2026, making it an excellent 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-grade 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 and integration
If the Java runtime underlying your ERP system reaches end of support, every component running on that Java version is also at risk.
Saeree ERP by Grand Linux Solution Co., Ltd. understands the critical importance of this issue. We prioritize keeping our underlying technology stack up to date, ensuring our clients never have to worry about runtime environment EOL issues.
Upgrading Java is not just a developer concern — it is a matter of Business Continuity for the entire organization. Management must be involved in decision-making and budget allocation for this effort.
- Grand Linux Solution Team
Checklist for Organizations Still Running Java 8
Use this checklist to start planning today:
- Inventory how many Java 8 applications your organization runs and where they are deployed
- Identify which JDK vendor you use and review their support policy
- Estimate the budget for migration or extended support purchase
- Prioritize which applications to migrate first (ranked by business impact)
- Assemble a migration team and set a clear timeline
- Start a Proof of Concept (POC) with the least critical application first
- Develop a comprehensive testing strategy
- Prepare rollback plans for every step
- Set a firm Go-live date before November 2026
Summary
Java 8 Community Support will end in November 2026 — only about 9 months away. Here is what your organization should do now:
- Do not wait! Start planning your migration today. Nine months may seem long, but for enterprise systems, it is very tight
- Choose a clear target. Java 21 (LTS) is the safest choice right now, or aim for Java 25 (LTS) releasing September 2026
- Migrate step by step. Do not jump across multiple versions. Go 8 to 11 to 17 to 21 for a safer path
- Evaluate alternatives. If not ready to migrate, consider purchasing Extended Support from an appropriate vendor to buy time
- Do not forget your ERP system. Verify whether your current ERP supports newer Java versions
If your organization is looking for a modern ERP system with a team that continuously maintains the underlying technology stack, Saeree ERP by Grand Linux Solution Co., Ltd. is ready to provide consulting and comprehensive services.
