Docker opened its volume-management tools to every Docker Desktop subscription tier on September 30, 2021, including the free Personal tier, with the announcement of version 4.1. But employers wanting to turn off automatic update checks would need Team or Business. The release puts a specific choice in front of IT buyers: a plan that covers commercial use does not necessarily include the update control their staff need. [S3][S2]

The expanded volume tools let Personal users inspect stored data and see which containers use a particular volume. Docker said users could view, download and delete contents inside it. A developer could investigate what was taking up space without buying a higher tier just for that feature. Before deleting contents, checking the containers that use the volume would be a sensible workplace precaution. [S3]

Those free features do not remove Docker’s commercial-use conditions. In its August 31 announcement, the company said Desktop would remain free for small businesses meeting both limits: fewer than 250 employees and less than US$10 million in annual revenue. Personal use, education and non-commercial open-source projects also remained free. Larger businesses would need a Pro, Team or Business subscription, starting at US$5 per user per month. The terms took effect August 31, with a grace period until January 31, 2022 for organizations needing a paid subscription. [S2]

Pro appears among the subscriptions satisfying that announced paid-use requirement; the 4.1 release assigns the option to switch off automatic update checks to Team and Business. Docker linked the setting to workplaces where users must stay on a particular version or need an administrator to install an update. The dashboard normally notifies users of an available update and lets them start its download. Disabling checks also removes the dashboard badge. Turning off a check is narrower than enforcing an approved version across a company. [S2][S3]

Docker Engine falls outside this particular licensing change. The company said its licensing terms, and those of the upstream Docker and Moby open-source projects, were unchanged. For a purchasing inventory, that means separating people using the Desktop application from machines running Engine, then identifying which Desktop users need the Team or Business update control. An Engine installation alone is not evidence of a newly chargeable Desktop seat. [S2][S3]

Source documents

  1. Docker Updates Product Subscriptions to Deliver Speed, Scale and Securityhttps://www.docker.com/press-release/docker-updates-product-subscriptions/
  2. Docker Desktop 4.1 Release: Volume Management Now Included with Docker Personalhttps://www.docker.com/blog/docker-desktop-4-1-release-volume-management-now-included-with-docker-personal/