Jakarta EE 11 was announced today by the Eclipse Foundation (see press release) and delivers a major evolution of enterprise Java that will help accelerate cloud-native Java and sets the stage for next generation AI applications powered by Java.
Jakarta EE 11 at a glance
Introducing Jakarta Data
A brand-new specification, Jakarta Data, is designed to streamline data access, address complexity and inconsistency in accessing diverse data sources, and allow developers to use common tools and practices for all database technologies.
- BasicRepository and CrudRepository APIs simplify entity operations.
- Built-in pagination (offset and cursor-based).
- An updated query language for defining repository methods.
Future-ready Test Compatability Kit (TCK)
A major focus of the release of Jakarta EE 11 is a modernized Test Compatibility Kit (TCK) framework that simplifies compatibility testing and lowers the barrier for contributors to add new tests. While this project delayed the release of Jakarta EE 11, the new TCK will help foster innovation and more rapid assessment of compatible implementations going forward.
Streamlined Specifications
- Managed Beans removal for a cleaner, more modern programming model.
- Enhanced Contexts and Dependency Injection (CDI).
- Broader support for Java Records to improve data integrity.
- Removal of SecurityManager references, aligning with JEP 411 for modern security practices.
- Minor updates to many other existing specification
Performance & Platform Support
The Jakarta EE 11 release focuses on performance and developer productivity as driving principles. This release delivers full support for Java 17+ along with Concurrency enhancements for Java 21, including Virtual Threads for improved scalability and reduced overhead.
IBM and Jakarta EE
Jakarta EE is core to IBM’s WebSphere and JSphere Suite product portfolios. IBM continued its commitment to the Jakarta EE community by contributing to many of the specifications in Jakarta EE 11. Contributions included Open Liberty serving as the ratifying implementation to the new Jakarta Data and updated Jakarta Concurrency specifications. Additionally, Red Hatters took on the bulk of the development of the new TCK, helping to modernize and ensure the testing framework will easily support the growth of Jakarta EE into the future.
The Jakarta EE 11 was done in stages, with Core Profile coming in December 2024, Web Profile in March 2025, and now the full Platform. An Open Liberty beta release served as the ratifying implementation for Core Profile and it is now a certified compatible implementation for Core Profile. It is expected that Web Profile and Platform certification of Open Liberty, WebSphere Liberty, and Enterprise Application Runtime for Java (EASeJ) will come in later releases.
Take the next step
Explore Jakarta EE through the IBM JSphere Suite for Java portfolio including:
- Liberty – ideal for building cloud-native Java applications running on-premise or in the cloud.
- Enterprise Application Service for Java (EASeJ) – built as a fully managed cloud-native runtime to free developers to focus on innovation and code.
- Modernized Runtime Extension (MoRE) – enables existing WebSphere Application Server ND (WAS-ND) clients to manage Liberty applications using the traditional WAS deployment model.
Check out the Jakarta EE 11 release blog on Jakarta.ee