Confluence Cloud vs Data Center

Confluence comes in more than one hosting model, and the model shapes how you log in, who handles updates, and which settings you can change. Understanding the difference helps you read documentation correctly and talk with your IT team about the platform your organisation uses.

Two Ways to Run Confluence

Confluence Cloud

Atlassian hosts Cloud on its own infrastructure. You open a web address, sign in, and start working. Atlassian handles servers, backups, security patches, and new features automatically.

Confluence Data Center

Data Center is self-managed software. Your organisation installs it on company servers or in a private cloud account. Your IT team schedules upgrades, monitors performance, and controls the hardware.

A Note on Server

An older product called Confluence Server reached end of support in February 2024. Organisations that still run it plan a move to Cloud or Data Center.

The Hosting Diagram

The diagram below follows a single page request from your browser to the machine that stores the content.

CLOUD
  You (browser) ---> Internet ---> Atlassian servers
                                   (Atlassian runs, updates, backs up)

DATA CENTER
  You (browser) ---> Company network ---> Your servers
                                          (your IT team runs, updates, backs up)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Cloud Plans

Cloud offers several plans: Free, Standard, Premium, and Enterprise. The Free plan suits very small teams and caps the number of users. Higher plans add stronger admin controls, analytics, and support options. Atlassian updates plan details often, so the official pricing page gives the current limits.

How to Identify Your Edition

• A web address ending in atlassian.net/wiki points to Cloud.
• A company domain such as wiki.yourcompany.com often points to Data Center.
• The About page in the help menu lists the exact product and version.
• Your IT or admin team can confirm the model in seconds.

Choosing Between the Two

Small Startup

A team of eight people needs speed and low effort. Cloud fits this case, since nobody has to maintain servers.

Regulated Enterprise

A large organisation with strict rules about where data lives may need tight infrastructure control. Such teams compare Data Center, Cloud data residency options, and internal security policies before they decide.

Long-Term Planning

Atlassian has signalled a long-term focus on Cloud. Check Atlassian lifecycle announcements before you commit to a multi-year plan on any edition.

What Changes for Learners

Most screens, menus, and features look the same in both editions. Some labels, administration pages, and newer features differ. When a menu in your Confluence does not match a guide, check your edition first.

Questions to Ask Your Team

• Which regulations govern the data we store in our wiki?
• How many people maintain servers today, and how much time do they spend on upgrades?
• Which Marketplace apps do we depend on, and does each one support our edition?
• How fast will our user count grow over the next three years?

Honest answers to these four questions point toward the right model. Teams that skip the discussion often face a costly migration later.

Migration Basics

Organisations sometimes move from one edition to another. Atlassian provides migration assistants that copy spaces, pages, and users into the new home. Plan a trial migration, check apps and macros, and set a quiet weekend for the final move.

Key Takeaways

• Cloud runs on Atlassian servers, and Data Center runs on yours.
• Cloud updates arrive automatically, while Data Center updates follow your schedule.
• The web address usually reveals which edition you use.
• Confirm your edition before you follow a configuration guide.