Docker Reverses Paid Team Policy and Restores Free Team Subscription After Community Backlash

On March 15, Docker emailed all Docker Hub users who had created an "organization" to inform them that they must upgrade to a $420‑per‑year paid team plan or their Docker images would be deleted.

The policy targeted open‑source organization accounts, while individual, Pro, Team, Business accounts, Docker‑sponsored open‑source members, Docker verified publishers, and official Docker images were exempt.

Following intense community backlash, Docker issued a first apology on March 18, clarifying the situation and announcing that Free Team accounts would no longer be deleted.

A second apology was posted later, with Docker’s CEO Scott Johnston stating that canceling the Free Team subscription was a mistake, and the company would retain the free tier.

If you are currently on a Free Team subscription, you do not need to migrate to another plan before April 14.

Users who upgraded from Free Team to a paid subscription between the March 14 deactivation notice and the latest announcement will receive a full refund within 30 days, allowing free use of their new paid subscription during the purchase period.

Customers requesting migration to Personal or Pro subscriptions will keep their current Free Team subscription (or can create a new personal or professional account).

In the past ten days, Docker received more Docker‑Sponsored Open Source (DSOS) applications than last year and encourages eligible open‑source projects to continue applying, with decisions made within a few business days.

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