---
title: Docker's product release lifecycle 
linkTitle: Release lifecycle
description: Describes the various stages of feature lifecycle from beta
  to GA.
keywords: beta, GA, Early Access,
params:
  sidebar:
    group: Products
---

This page details Docker's product release lifecycle and how Docker defines each stage. It also provides information on the product retirement process. Features and products may progress through some or all of these phases. 

>[!NOTE]
>
>Our [Subscription Service Agreement](https://www.docker.com/legal/docker-subscription-service-agreement) governs your use of Docker and covers details of eligibility, content, use, payments and billing, and warranties. This document is not a contract and all use of Docker’s services are subject to Docker’s [Subscription Service Agreement](https://www.docker.com/legal/docker-subscription-service-agreement).

## Lifecycle stage

| Lifecycle stage  | Customer availability | Support availability | Limitations | Retirement |
| --- | --- | ---- | ---| ---|
|[Experimental](#experimental)| Limited availability | Community support |Software may have limitations, bugs and/or stability concerns | Can be discontinued without notice |
|[Beta](#beta) | All or those involved in a Beta Feedback Program | Community support | Software may have limitations, bugs and/or stability concerns | Can be discontinued without notice |
| [Early Access (EA)](#early-access-ea) | All or those involved in an Early Access Feedback Program | Full | Software may have limitations, bugs and/or stability concerns.  These limitations will be documented. | Follows the [retirement process](#retirement-process) |
| [General Availability (GA)](#general-availability-ga) | All | Full | Few or no limitations for supported use cases | Follows the [retirement process](#retirement-process) |

### Experimental

Experimental offerings are features that Docker is currently experimenting with. Customers who access experimental features have the opportunity to test, validate, and provide feedback on future functionality. This helps us focus our efforts on what provides the most value to our customers.

**Customer availability:** Availability of experimental features is limited. A portion of users may have access to none, one or many experimental features. 

**Support:** Support for experimental features is best effort via Community support channels and forums.

**Limitations:** Experimental features may have potentially significant limitations such as functional limitations, performance limitations, and API limitations. Features and programmatic interfaces may change at any time without notice.

**Retirement:** During the experimental period, Docker will determine whether to continue an offering through its lifecycle. We reserve the right to change the scope of or discontinue an Experimental product or feature at any point in time without notice, as outlined in our [Subscription Service Agreement](https://www.docker.com/legal/docker-subscription-service-agreement).

### Beta

Beta offerings are initial releases of potential future products or features. Customers who participate in our beta programs have the opportunity to test, validate, and provide feedback on future functionality. This helps us focus our efforts on what provides the most value to our customers.

**Customer availability:** Participation in beta releases is by invitation or via use of clearly identified beta features in product. Beta invitations may be public or private.

**Support:** Support for beta features is best effort via Community support channels and forums.

**Limitations:** Beta releases may have potentially significant limitations such as functional limitations, performance limitations, and API limitations. Features and programmatic interfaces may change at any time without notice.