In 2025, the Atlassian ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly — driven by a shift toward the cloud, smarter workspaces, and tighter platform integration. For developers and vendors building on Atlassian, one question stands out:
“Which platform should I use to build my app — Forge, Connect, or Data Center?”
Choosing the right platform for Atlassian app development in 2025 can be tricky. Forge vs Connect vs DC – each has its pros and trade-offs depending on your product, customer base, and strategy. In this article, we break down everything you need to know.
1. Three App Models Explained
Forge (Cloud-native)
Forge is Atlassian’s modern, serverless development platform built for Jira and Confluence Cloud. It hosts and runs your app inside Atlassian’s infrastructure and integrates seamlessly with new technologies like Atlassian Graph, AI Agents, and Rovo.
Connect (Cloud, External Hosting)
Atlassian Connect is the older method for building Cloud apps. It gives developers full control over backend and frontend, but requires separate hosting and manual implementation of security, authentication, and data handling.
Data Center (On-Premise)
Apps for Jira/Confluence Data Center are installed directly on the customer’s infrastructure. This model is still required for customers with strict compliance, self-managed deployments, or integration with internal systems.
2. Choosing the Right Platform: Forge vs Connect vs Data Center
Each app platform in the Atlassian ecosystem (Forge vs Connect vs DC) serves a different use case. Let’s break down how they compare in 2025 — and when to use which
| Criteria | Forge | Connect | Data Center |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hosting |
Atlassian-hosted |
Self-hosted |
Customer-hosted |
|
Dev Experience |
Modern, simple |
Flexible but complex |
Full control |
|
Time to Market |
Fast |
Moderate |
Slower |
|
Security |
Sandbox, built-in |
Custom implementation |
Enterprise-dependent |
|
UI Capability |
UI Kit & Custom UI |
Total freedom |
Total freedom |
|
AI / Rovo Integration |
✔ Native support |
❌ Not integrated |
❌ Not supported |
|
Atlassian Graph |
✔ Native access |
❌ Not supported |
❌ Not supported |
🟢 Use Forge if:
You’re building for Jira or Confluence Cloud
You want low-maintenance, secure apps
Your app should integrate with Rovo, Atlassian Graph, or AI agents
You aim for speed, simplicity, and future-proof architecture
Forge is Atlassian’s long-term platform and is growing rapidly in capability
🟡 Use Connect if (and only if):
Your app requires APIs or features Forge doesn’t support (yet)
You need full UI freedom and custom backend logic
You’re maintaining an existing Connect app but planning a migration
⚠️ Atlassian has announced the sunsetting of Connect by 2026. Now is the time to start planning your transition to Forge.
🔵 Use Data Center if:
Your customers are enterprise-level, on-premise users
You need tight integration with internal tools (LDAP, VPN, etc.)
You’re building for industries with compliance, privacy, or regional regulations
You’re working under Enterprise License Agreements (ELA)
DC apps remain relevant in regulated markets — especially in finance, government, or Asia-Pacific regions.
📌 Recommendation:
New apps → Go Forge
Existing Connect apps → Start migrating
Enterprise clients → Keep supporting DC
3. Strategic Considerations for 2025–2026
As Forge continues to mature and Atlassian pushes for cloud-native, integrated experiences, vendors should align their strategy accordingly:
Migrate early: Don’t wait for 2026 to move Connect apps to Forge. Start now and learn Forge’s constraints gradually.
Invest in Forge-native capabilities: Context-aware UI, Forge storage APIs, Atlassian Graph, and AI agent extensibility will define the next generation of apps.
Don’t abandon DC if you serve regulated clients: DC is stable and used by many large enterprises — especially in sectors like banking or insurance in APAC.
Bundle cloud and DC offerings: Some vendors offer Forge apps and DC versions in parallel — maximizing market reach.
Design for cross-product use: Forge apps can now work across Jira, Confluence, and in Rovo — think beyond a single product.
Atlassian’s app ecosystem is entering a new era — platform-first, AI-powered, and tightly integrated. Developers and app vendors that adapt early will have the advantage.
At DS Solution Vietnam, we’ve helped multiple clients:
Migrate from Connect to Forge
Build new Forge apps with AI and workflow automation
Maintain DC versions for regulated customers
📩 Need help choosing the right platform or migrating your app?
Contact us to discuss your app roadmap and how to stay ahead in 2025 and beyond.
