Compare software

GraalVM vs Azul Zulu: catalog facts
GraalVM	Azul Zulu
Best for: Java developers building fast-starting services and small container images	Best for: Developers who need a specific Java version installed on any desktop OS
Free Free to download; the source code is published in the oracle/graal repository.	Free The Zulu builds of OpenJDK are free to download from Azul.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line	Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Native Image builds fast-starting, low-memory executables First-class support in Spring Boot, Micronaut, Helidon and Quarkus All 4 strengths for GraalVM Native Image builds fast-starting, low-memory executables First-class support in Spring Boot, Micronaut, Helidon and Quarkus Works as a drop-in JDK with existing Java tools Truffle framework for running other languages	Builds for every current long-term Java version, back to Java 8 Packages for Windows, macOS and Linux from one page All 3 strengths for Azul Zulu Builds for every current long-term Java version, back to Java 8 Packages for Windows, macOS and Linux from one page Based directly on OpenJDK
Native Image compilation is slower than a normal Java build Native executables include only reachable code, so reflection-heavy code needs configuration	A runtime and toolkit, with no graphical tools of its own Many vendors ship near-identical OpenJDK builds, so the choice is often about support
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-2.0 with Classpath Exception	License: GPL-2.0 with Classpath Exception
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for GraalVM graalvm.org Catalog checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Azul Zulu azul.com/downloads Catalog checked October 2, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.