Best Java Development Kit (JDK) Distributions
Java development kit (JDK) distributions, or Java runtime environment (JRE) distributions provide the necessary resources and processes to run Java applications atop an underlying operating system. These elements include all required Java SE (Standard Edition) classes and code execution environments. JDK / JRE distributions also include a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) which enables Java's cross-platform portability and allows Java’s compiled code to be smaller in size. Java is a popular programming language, and the JDK / JRE can be thought of as a communication layer between written Java programs and operating systems. All distributions of the JDK derive from OpenJDK, the open-source implementation of Java SE which is collectively developed and maintained by the major vendors in this space.
Development teams use their chosen distribution of the JDK to gain access to classes (prewritten code with functionality that can be called via shorthand commands), to write Java code and develop applications, to verify and validate their written code including error and security remediation, and to run their code as an application. For JDK or JRE distributions to be considered compatible with Java SE, it must pass the technology compatibility kit (TCK) test suite. The Java TCK, also referred to as the JCK, is made available through the OpenJDK Community TCK License Agreement (OCTLA) to organizations who are working in and contributing to the OpenJDK Community. Additionally, some distributions (often referred to as “downstream" distributions) provide highly differentiated benefits such as significantly improved application experiences and reduced infrastructure costs. These can include enhanced performance (better garbage collection, faster warm-up, etc.) and cloud native capabilities.
To qualify for inclusion in the Java Development Kit (JDK) Distributions category, a product must:
Best Java Development Kit (JDK) Distributions At A Glance
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Amazon Corretto is a no-cost, multiplatform, production-ready distribution of the Open Java Development Kit . It offers long-term support with regular performance enhancements and security fixes. Amaz
- Software Engineer
- Senior Software Engineer
- Computer Software
- Information Technology and Services
- 44% Small-Business
- 32% Mid-Market
2,234,689 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Oracle Java Downloads provide developers with the latest versions of the Java Development Kit (JDK, essential for building, testing, and deploying Java applications across various platforms. The JDK i
- Computer Software
- Information Technology and Services
- 48% Small-Business
- 31% Mid-Market
828,421 Twitter followers
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Liberica JDK is a Java runtime for modern Java deployments. It is run on any platform, and in any environment allowing a secure, reliable, and cost-effective approach to application development.
- 45% Mid-Market
- 36% Small-Business
3,952 Twitter followers
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Azul Platform Core is designed for the enterprise, with the certified builds, tight security, and cost efficiencies you need to run today’s business–critical, Java-based services. More Trust Built b
- Computer Software
- Information Technology and Services
- 62% Small-Business
- 26% Mid-Market
4,169 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
SapMachine is a free, cross-platform, and production-ready distribution of the OpenJDK, maintained by SAP. It serves as the default Java Runtime for SAP's applications and services, ensuring compatibi
- Computer Software
- Information Technology and Services
- 60% Enterprise
- 20% Mid-Market
300,266 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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The Microsoft Build of OpenJDK is a free, open-source distribution of the Open Java Development Kit provided by Microsoft. It offers Long-Term Support binaries for Java versions 11, 17, and 21, compat
- Information Technology and Services
- 50% Small-Business
- 25% Enterprise
13,963,646 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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A truly superior Java platform that can cut your infrastructure costs in half. Azul Platform Prime turbocharges the performance and scalability of your Java ecosystem with a hyper-optimized runtime th
- 43% Mid-Market
- 36% Enterprise
4,169 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Eclipse Temurin is an open-source Java SE runtime that provides high-performance, cross-platform binaries suitable for enterprise applications. Built upon the OpenJDK, Temurin is Java SE TCK certified
- 100% Small-Business
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- User Satisfaction
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Alibaba Dragonwell is Alibaba's in-house implementation of OpenJDK, tailored to optimize Java applications across extensive server infrastructures. Designed for large-scale e-commerce, financial, and
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GraalVM is a high-performance runtime, that provides significant improvements in application performance and efficiency. It accelerates application performance while consuming fewer resources; provid
- 100% Small-Business
828,421 Twitter followers
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IBM Semeru Runtimes are no-cost, high-performance Java runtime environments designed to develop and run Java applications efficiently across diverse platforms, including on-premises, public cloud, and
714,643 Twitter followers
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417,127 Twitter followers
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Java runtime for your embedded systems Full functionality of Java™ and enhanced ARM performance and security. Embedded devices are often built to fulfill a single purpose and with the lower c
3,952 Twitter followers
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Mandrel: A Specialized Distribution of GraalVM for Quarkus Mandrel is a tailored distribution of GraalVM, specifically optimized for Quarkus applications. It focuses on the `native-image` component,
20,246 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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OpenLogic OpenJDK Builds provide free, enterprise-grade distributions of OpenJDK, offering a reliable and secure alternative to proprietary Java platforms. These builds are fully compliant with Java S
5,143 Twitter followers