Data Center customers are evaluating their options: migrate to Atlassian Cloud or explore modern alternatives.
*Pricing varies by tier per Atlassian's published schedules (atlassian.com/pricing). Bitbucket DC continues with dual licensing (Cloud + DC) and is not affected by the end-of-support timeline.
What this actually means for Data Center customers
No scare tactics, just the sequence of dates and what each one closes off.
Pricing already went up
Atlassian raised Data Center pricing 15 to 40 percent in February 2026, ahead of the sales cutoff. That increase is already in effect for renewals.
No new licenses, at all
As of March 30, 2026, Atlassian stopped selling new Data Center subscriptions to new customers. If you do not already hold a Data Center license, this path is closed.
The 2028 deadline is closer than it looks
March 30, 2028 is the last date existing customers can renew or expand a Data Center license. For most enterprises, that deadline sits inside the current planning cycle, not a future one.
2029 is a hard stop
On March 28, 2029, all Data Center and Marketplace app licenses expire and go read-only. No further support, no security patches, and no vendor path back once that date passes.
Three real options
Stated evenhandedly. Atlassian Cloud is a legitimate path, and so is staying put for now. Here is what each one actually commits you to.
Stay on Data Center until forced
Some enterprises will run existing Data Center licenses through the 2028 renewal deadline and reassess later. That is a legitimate short-term choice, not a mistake, but it is a choice with a fixed expiration. Whatever you decide next has to be decided before March 2028, and executed before March 2029.
Migrate to Atlassian Cloud
Atlassian's own path forward, and a real one. Cloud carries Atlassian's continued investment and roadmap, and for organizations without strict data-residency or air-gapped requirements, it is a straightforward, low-risk migration with a large ecosystem of tooling and partners already built around it.
Migrate to an alternative like Plane
For enterprises that need to keep the data and the deployment on infrastructure they control, self-hosted alternatives like Plane are the other real option. This is where iTmethods has a direct offer: Plane, fully managed on Forge, with the white-glove migration handled for you.
Where iTmethods fits
iTmethods has operated regulated, mission-critical infrastructure for 21 years. For enterprises migrating off Data Center, we run Plane as a fully managed alternative on Forge, self-hosted on your infrastructure with true data sovereignty, plus white-glove migration support. For enterprises staying in the Atlassian ecosystem, our Atlassian consulting practice handles Cloud migrations and JSM implementations directly.
Frequently asked questions
March 28, 2029. On that date, all Atlassian Data Center licenses and Marketplace app licenses expire and go read-only, with no further support or security patches.
No. Atlassian stopped selling new Data Center subscriptions to new customers on March 30, 2026. Existing customers can still renew or expand their current licenses through March 30, 2028.
It expires and goes read-only. You can no longer purchase support, receive security patches, or get vendor assistance, and Marketplace app licenses expire on the same timeline.
No. Bitbucket Data Center continues under dual licensing (Cloud and Data Center) and is not affected by this end-of-life timeline.
Three real paths: stay on Data Center until the 2028 renewal deadline forces a decision, migrate to Atlassian Cloud, or migrate to a self-hosted alternative like Plane. The full whitepaper covers the tradeoffs of each in more depth.
Get the Full Migration Guide
The whitepaper covers the tradeoffs of each path in more depth: cost, timeline, and what regulated enterprises are actually choosing.
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Pricing, features, and timelines for third-party products (including Atlassian) are based on publicly available information as of March 2026 and are subject to change. This content does not represent the views of Atlassian Pty Ltd. Cost savings estimates are illustrative and vary by environment. Contact iTmethods for a personalized assessment.
Dates verified against atlassian.com as of July 21, 2026. Pricing, features, and timelines for third-party products are based on publicly available information and are subject to change. This content does not represent the views of Atlassian Pty Ltd.