Bitbucket

Basic Information

• Model: Bitbucket Cloud, Bitbucket Data Center. Bitbucket Server reached end of life.
• Version: Bitbucket Cloud is continuously updated. Bitbucket Data Center's latest major version is 10.0. Long Term Support (LTS) versions include 9.4 and 8.19.
• Release Date: Bitbucket was initially released in October 2008.
• Minimum Requirements:
  • Bitbucket Cloud: Requires a modern web browser.
  • Bitbucket Data Center: Varies significantly based on user count and repository size. Requires dedicated machines for application nodes, a high-performance shared file system, and a remote search server.
• Supported Operating Systems:
  • Bitbucket Cloud: Accessible via modern web browsers on any operating system.
  • Bitbucket Data Center: Linux distributions with kernel 2.6.17+ and glibc 2.7+, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9, Ubuntu LTS, and AWS Linux.
• Latest Stable Version: Bitbucket Cloud is continuously updated. Bitbucket Data Center 10.0 (released March 22, 2024).
• End of Support Date:
  • Bitbucket Server: February 15, 2024.
  • Bitbucket Data Center: Specific versions have defined end of support dates (e.g., 10.0 on September 8, 2027; 9.4 LTS on December 3, 2026; 8.19 LTS on March 12, 2026).
• End of Life Date:
  • Bitbucket Server: February 15, 2024.
  • Bitbucket Data Center: Bitbucket Data Center is explicitly not included in the general Atlassian Data Center end-of-life plan for March 28, 2029. However, current Data Center licenses will be replaced by hybrid licenses by March 28, 2029.
• License Type:
  • Bitbucket Cloud: Free (up to 5 users), Standard, Premium.
  • Bitbucket Data Center: Subscription-based, with hybrid licenses becoming available mid-2026 and replacing existing Data Center licenses by March 28, 2029.
• Deployment Model: Cloud (Atlassian-hosted) and Data Center (self-managed, on-premises or private cloud).

Technical Requirements

Bitbucket Cloud is a browser-based service with minimal client-side requirements. Technical requirements below primarily apply to Bitbucket Data Center deployments.

• RAM: Minimum 2GB baseline for the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), plus an additional 1GB for each CPU. More RAM improves performance by allowing more repository data to be kept in the page cache.
• Processor: Roughly 1 CPU core is recommended for every 2 concurrent Git clone operations.
• Storage: A high-performance shared file system (e.g., SAN, NAS, RAID server, or optimized high-performance file server) is required, optimized for I/O and accessible via NFS as a single mount point. The shared file system must be on a dedicated machine within a high-speed LAN. Database size is approximately 100 MB + (total number of commits across all repositories / 2500) MB.
• Display: Not applicable for server-side deployment. Client access requires a standard display for web browsers.
• Ports: Standard network ports for web access (HTTP/HTTPS), Git protocols (SSH, HTTPS), and inter-node communication within a cluster.
• Operating System: Linux distributions with a 2.6.17+ kernel and glibc 2.7+, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9, Ubuntu LTS, and AWS Linux. Bitbucket requires a Java 11 JRE (OpenJDK recommended). Git 2.34.x or newer is required for Bitbucket Data Center 9.0 and later.
• Database: External database support is required.
• Search Server: A remote Elasticsearch instance (versions 5.5.1-5.5.3, 6.5.3, 6.6.1, 6.8.22, 6.8.6, 7.5.2, 7.16.2) or OpenSearch (from Bitbucket Data Center 9.0 onwards) is required.

Analysis of Technical Requirements: Bitbucket Data Center requires robust infrastructure to ensure performance and scalability, particularly for large enterprises. The requirements emphasize high-speed networking, dedicated resources, and optimized storage solutions. The shift to OpenSearch for newer versions indicates an evolving ecosystem. Proper sizing of RAM and CPU is crucial for handling concurrent Git operations and large repositories. The need for a dedicated shared file system and remote search server highlights the distributed nature of Data Center deployments, designed for high availability and performance.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Bitbucket Cloud receives continuous updates. Bitbucket Data Center's latest major version is 10.0, with LTS versions 9.4 and 8.19.
• OS Support:
  • Client Access: Compatible with any operating system supporting modern web browsers.
  • Data Center Server: Supports Linux platforms including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu LTS, and AWS Linux.
• End of Support Date: Bitbucket Server support ended on February 15, 2024. Bitbucket Data Center versions have specific end of support dates, with LTS versions receiving bug and security fixes for 2 years and non-LTS versions for 6 months with critical security fixes.
• Localization: Supports multiple languages, typical for enterprise software.
• Available Drivers: Bitbucket integrates with standard Git clients and tools. It does not require specific "drivers" in the traditional sense. It supports SSH and HTTPS for Git operations. Atlassian provides a free Git GUI client called Sourcetree for Windows and Mac.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: Bitbucket offers strong compatibility within the Atlassian ecosystem, with deep integrations with Jira and Trello. The continuous update model for Bitbucket Cloud ensures users always have the latest features and security patches. For Data Center, Atlassian provides clear end-of-support timelines for specific versions, including LTS releases, allowing enterprises to plan upgrades. The deprecation of Bitbucket Server emphasizes Atlassian's cloud-first strategy and focus on Data Center for self-managed deployments. Compatibility with various Linux distributions and standard Git tooling ensures broad applicability.

Security Status

• Security Features: IP Whitelisting, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), Enforced 2FA, Security key support (FIDO U2F), Branch Permissions, Merge Checks, Data Encryption (at rest AES-256, in transit TLS 1.2+ with Perfect Forward Secrecy), Audit logs, Code scanning, Secret scanning, Automated vulnerability scanning (via Snyk integration), and deployment permissions.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Bitbucket integrates with tools like Snyk for vulnerability scanning of dependencies and Docker files, providing detailed inline annotations and advice on fixes. Atlassian publishes security advisories.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable for a software product.
• Certifications: Compliant with SOC 2, SOC 3, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27018, GDPR, and PCI DSS.
• Encryption Support: Repositories are encrypted at rest using AES-256. Data in transit over public networks is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2+ with Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS).
• Authentication Methods: Atlassian account login credentials, SSH keys, App passwords, OAuth 2.0, SAML-based Single Sign-On (SSO) via Atlassian Access, LDAP, and various 2FA/MFA methods including TOTP, OTP over Email, and Security Questions.
• General Recommendations: Keep Bitbucket updated and regularly patched, enact strong access controls (including 2FA), remove sensitive data from repositories, review and audit activity logs, implement branch permissions and code reviews, validate third-party apps, include a SECURITY.md file in projects, and periodically refresh keys and tokens.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating: Bitbucket offers a robust security posture, particularly with its Premium Cloud and Data Center offerings. Key features like IP whitelisting, enforced 2FA, and comprehensive encryption for data at rest and in transit provide strong protection against unauthorized access and data breaches. Compliance with major industry standards (SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR) demonstrates a commitment to enterprise-grade security. The platform's integration with security scanning tools and granular access controls at various levels (workspace, project, repository, branch) allows organizations to enforce strict code quality and security policies. Regular updates and adherence to security best practices are crucial for maintaining this high level of security.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: No specific standardized benchmark scores are typically published for Bitbucket as a software product. Performance is measured by scalability and efficiency under various loads.
• Real-World Performance Metrics: Bitbucket Data Center instances can support thousands of users and hundreds of thousands of monthly builds. For example, one instance handles 6,500 users and 900,000 monthly builds, processing up to 300 builds per minute during peak times. Performance and scalability are achieved through infrastructure optimization (e.g., SSDs), load balancing, horizontal scaling, caching, database optimization, and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). Bitbucket Pipelines offers auto-scaling build resources in the cloud.
• Power Consumption: Not applicable for software.
• Carbon Footprint: Not directly applicable for software. Efficiency gains from optimized CI/CD workflows and cloud infrastructure can indirectly contribute to reduced resource usage.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Bitbucket competes with platforms like GitHub and GitLab. It is often chosen for its deep integration with other Atlassian products (Jira, Trello), built-in CI/CD (Pipelines), and AI-enhanced productivity features like AI-generated pull request descriptions and reviewer suggestions. It offers both cloud and self-managed (Data Center) deployment options, catering to different enterprise needs.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status: Bitbucket is designed for scalability, especially its Data Center and Cloud offerings. Bitbucket Data Center supports large enterprise teams with high user counts and extensive build volumes through clustering and optimized infrastructure. Bitbucket Cloud leverages Atlassian's cloud infrastructure for auto-scaling and high availability, ensuring consistent performance for CI/CD pipelines. Performance is highly dependent on proper configuration, infrastructure, and adherence to best practices for managing large repositories and teams. The platform's integrated CI/CD (Pipelines) aims to accelerate development cycles and provide fast feedback.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback generally highlight Bitbucket's strengths in integration and collaboration, particularly within the Atlassian ecosystem.

• Strengths:
  • Seamless Atlassian Integration: Deep integration with Jira and Trello is a significant advantage, allowing for unified workflows from planning to deployment.
  • Built-in CI/CD (Pipelines): The integrated CI/CD solution simplifies build, test, and deployment processes without needing separate tools.
  • Code Review and Collaboration: Strong features for pull requests, merge checks, and branch permissions facilitate effective code review and quality control.
  • Git LFS Support: Supports Large File Storage (LFS), beneficial for projects with large binary assets.
  • Granular Access Control: Offers detailed permissions at workspace, project, repository, and branch levels.
  • AI-enhanced Productivity: Recent additions include AI-generated pull request descriptions and suggested reviewers.
• Weaknesses:
  • Bitbucket Server End of Life: The end of support for Bitbucket Server on February 15, 2024, has necessitated migrations for many users, which can be a disruptive process.
  • UI/UX: Some users may find the user interface less intuitive or modern compared to competitors, though this is subjective.
  • Performance for Very Large Repositories: While scalable, managing extremely large repositories in self-managed environments can require significant optimization and resources.
  • Pricing: While a free tier exists for small teams, pricing for larger teams or premium features can be a consideration.
• Recommended Use Cases: Bitbucket is highly recommended for organizations already invested in the Atlassian ecosystem (Jira, Confluence) due to its seamless integrations. It is suitable for teams requiring robust code management, integrated CI/CD, and strong security features. Bitbucket Data Center is ideal for enterprises needing self-managed, high-availability, and scalable solutions with strict compliance requirements. Bitbucket Cloud is well-suited for remote teams and those prioritizing ease of use, continuous updates, and managed infrastructure.

Summary

Bitbucket is a comprehensive Git-based code hosting and collaboration platform offered by Atlassian, available in two primary deployment models: Bitbucket Cloud and Bitbucket Data Center. Bitbucket Cloud provides a continuously updated, fully managed service, while Bitbucket Data Center offers a self-managed solution for enterprises requiring on-premises control and high scalability. The legacy Bitbucket Server product reached its end of life on February 15, 2024, prompting users to migrate to either Cloud or Data Center.

The platform excels in its deep integration with other Atlassian products like Jira and Trello, streamlining development workflows from planning to deployment. Its built-in CI/CD tool, Bitbucket Pipelines, offers automated build, test, and deployment capabilities, enhancing developer productivity. Recent enhancements include AI-powered features for pull request descriptions and reviewer suggestions, further improving efficiency.

From a technical standpoint, Bitbucket Data Center demands robust infrastructure, including dedicated application nodes, high-performance shared storage, and external databases/search servers, to support large user bases and extensive codebases. It runs on various Linux distributions and requires specific Java and Git versions. Security is a core strength, with features like IP whitelisting, enforced 2FA, comprehensive data encryption (AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.2+ in transit), granular access controls, and compliance with major certifications such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR.

Performance and scalability are key design principles, with Data Center capable of handling thousands of users and hundreds of thousands of monthly builds through clustering, load balancing, and infrastructure optimization. Bitbucket Cloud offers auto-scaling for its CI/CD pipelines, ensuring responsiveness. User feedback generally praises its integration capabilities and CI/CD features, though the forced migration from Bitbucket Server has been a notable challenge for some.

In summary, Bitbucket is a powerful and secure solution for code management and collaboration, particularly well-suited for organizations embedded in the Atlassian ecosystem or those requiring a scalable, self-managed option. Its strengths lie in its comprehensive feature set, robust security, and deep integrations. Potential weaknesses include the migration effort from the deprecated Server version and the infrastructure demands for large Data Center deployments. Organizations should choose between Cloud and Data Center based on their specific needs for control, compliance, and scalability, with Cloud being ideal for managed services and Data Center for highly regulated or customized on-premises environments.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.