Camunda 7 – The End is Near, Paving the Way for Something New
With a touch of melancholy and a simultaneous longing for innovation, Camunda has announced that the Community Edition of Camunda 7 will take its final breath in October 2025. October 14, 2025, with the release of version 7.24, marks a turning point where the GitHub repository will transition into a silent archive – along with an era of a once-thriving ecosystem. Companies relying on Camunda 7 CE will no longer receive security updates or bug fixes after this date. While enterprise customers will still receive patches during the transition phase, they too must eventually migrate to a future-proof environment.
The Call for Change – Why This Transition Is Inevitable
In times of rapid technological advancement, the end-of-life of Camunda 7 symbolizes a farewell to outdated systems. Without continuous security patches, the risks are greater than ever – small vulnerabilities can escalate into major threats. Moreover, the increasing burden of technical debt, particularly in underlying frameworks such as Spring Boot, means that existing applications will no longer meet current standards.
A Kaleidoscope of Possibilities – An Overview of Alternatives
Companies must decide individually which option best suits their specific requirements. Migration choices can generally be categorized into three main options:
Camunda 8
Available as SaaS or on-premises, Camunda 8 offers a modern and highly scalable architecture designed for cloud-native applications with high volumes as a central orchestrator. However, Camunda 8 is no longer available under an open-source license, meaning a commercial license is required in every case. The migration process requires careful planning, as the solution architecture fundamentally differs from Camunda 7, often necessitating significant redevelopment. For companies already using a Camunda Enterprise license and leveraging Camunda 7 as an external orchestrator rather than embedding it in their internal applications, Camunda 8 is an attractive alternative due to its highly scalable platform.
Camunda 7 Forks or Similar Alternatives
A Camunda fork is an independent development of the open-source Camunda 7 platform. Camunda 7 itself was originally a fork of Activiti in 2013. These projects share the same concepts and solution architecture. This option can be particularly interesting for companies that wish to retain their existing Camunda 7 solution (often an embedded Camunda engine) and make only incremental changes. The focus here is on utilizing proven processes without making fundamental architectural modifications. In recent months, several Camunda 7 forks have been announced and launched. Depending on customer requirements, it is advisable to opt for a reliable and established solution that offers long-term support to prevent the need for another migration. Examples in this category include:
- CIB: CIB Seven is a current fork of Camunda 7 and remains available as open source. It serves as the foundation for CIB Flow, a low-code platform with enterprise support.
- Flowable: Based on Activiti and also open source, Flowable retains similar concepts and most APIs of Camunda 7. Additionally, Flowable Work provides a comprehensive no-code/low-code automation platform that supports BPMN, DMN, and case management.
Other BPM Platforms
Beyond the above-mentioned options, numerous other BPM platforms offer alternative approaches and technologies. These may be worth considering if a company's requirements are not optimally met by Camunda or its forks. While migrating to these platforms can be complex, it may prove to be a strategically valuable move in the long run. Companies requiring specific functionalities or a different architectural concept may find a more suitable solution in this segment:
- Appian: With a low-code approach, Appian enables the rapid and efficient implementation of business-critical workflows.
- IBM Business Automation Workflow: A robust enterprise solution focused on stability and scalability – ideal for complex and regulated industries.
- Pega: Known for its extensive capabilities in digital process automation, Pega caters to companies aiming for a comprehensive transformation.
mesoneer – A Smart Compass in Turbulent Times
The name mesoneer is derived from the Greek word meso, meaning "middle." This perfectly reflects our identity as an independent, owner-managed software company: we navigate through the turbulent times of digital transformation while maintaining a clear perspective. Amidst a vast array of options and an overwhelming technological landscape, mesoneer stands at the forefront – independent and unbiased. This allows us to provide clear and well-founded guidance on the next smart step, helping companies choose the optimal automation platform for their needs.
We take the time to thoroughly analyze your existing IT landscape, evaluate the pros and cons of different alternatives, and collaboratively develop a migration strategy that is not only technically sound but also strategically future-proof. Like a reliable navigator steering a ship through rough seas, we are ready to guide you toward an innovative future of workflow automation.
The farewell to Camunda 7 does not mark the end – it marks the beginning of an exciting journey into a future where security, flexibility, and innovation are the new guiding stars. Trust mesoneer – let’s determine the course together and take the next smart step.
Sign up today for a free consultation and discover how to elevate your digital transformation to the next level. Contact us now! With years of expertise in workflow automation, we are happy to assist!
