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Maven Central
What Maven Central is
Maven Central is a public distribution platform for release-ready community open-source software in the Java ecosystem. It is the default repository for Apache Maven, SBT, and other build systems, and works with tools including Apache Ant/Ivy and Gradle. Its website helps users search and browse components, popular packages, namespaces, and categories. Publishers can submit releases through Maven using the central-publishing-maven-plugin, with user-token credentials configured in settings.xml. Uploaded components are validated against repository requirements before publication. The free plan supports ordinary community open-source publishing, subject to monthly file-count, release-size, and release-count limits; reviews for higher limits or exemptions are available. Published components are not removed or modified, and checksums and GPG signatures help users verify identity. HTTPS is intended to guard downloads against man-in-the-middle attacks. However, Sonatype does not pre-screen materials or guarantee component safety. It maintains known-vulnerability information through Nexus Lifecycle and a limited version in Nexus Repository Manager Repository Health Check.
Who it suits
It suits Java ecosystem users looking for community open-source components and publishers distributing release-ready software. Publishers should account for the free plan's monthly limits and validation requirements.
What it does well
- Default repository for Apache Maven and SBT.
- Website supports component and package discovery.
- Uploads are validated before publication.
- Checksums and GPG signatures help verify identity.
- Higher-limit or exemption review is available.
What to know first
- Free publishing has monthly count and size limits.
- Private packages are not supported.
- Sonatype does not guarantee component safety.
Limits
The Free plan is for ordinary community open-source publishing and has monthly file-count, release-size and release-count limits. Reviews for higher limits or exemptions are available.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | ordinary community open-source publishing · monthly file-count, release-size and release-count limits · higher-limit or exemption review available | Free |
| Maven Central Publisher Pro | higher publishing capacity · dedicated support · required for commercial-nature artifacts from October 1, 2026 | On request |
As central.sonatype.com lists them, read 1 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Maven Central website to search and browse components.
- Use a compatible tool such as Maven, SBT, Apache Ant/Ivy or Gradle.
- For Maven publishing, configure user-token credentials in settings.xml.
- Publish through Maven with the central-publishing-maven-plugin.
- Sign in to the Central Portal with Google, GitHub, or a username and password account.
Verdict
Maven Central provides discovery and distribution for Java ecosystem components, with publishing checks and identity verification tools. Its free plan is limited to community open-source use, and component safety is not guaranteed.
Questions
Is Maven Central free?
Yes. The Free plan costs nothing and supports ordinary community open-source publishing, subject to monthly file-count, release-size and release-count limits.
Which tools can use Maven Central?
It is the default repository for Apache Maven, SBT and other build systems. It can also be used from Apache Ant/Ivy, Gradle and many other tools.
How do publishers submit components?
Publishing through Maven uses the central-publishing-maven-plugin. User-token credentials must be configured in settings.xml, and uploads are validated against repository requirements.
Does Maven Central support private packages?
No. Private packages are not supported.
Are components screened for safety?
Sonatype does not pre-screen materials and cannot guarantee component safety. It maintains known-vulnerability information through Nexus Lifecycle and a limited version in Nexus Repository Manager Repository Health Check.
What is Publisher Pro?
Maven Central Publisher Pro offers higher publishing capacity and dedicated support. It is required for commercial-nature artifacts from October 1, 2026; its price is not provided here.
Facts from Maven Central's own pages
- Account login
- The Central Portal supports Google and GitHub social logins as well as username and password accounts. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Component discovery
- The Maven Central website provides OSS component search, browsing, popular packages, namespaces and categories. · central.sonatype.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Default repository
- The Central Repository is the default repository for Apache Maven, SBT and other build systems. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- 8161 Maple Lawn Blvd #250, Fulton, MD 20759, United States · central.sonatype.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Immutability
- Published components are not removed or modified, and checksums and GPG signatures help users verify component identity. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Partner program
- Maven Central partners can receive exposure, Sonatype partner certification and joint marketing opportunities. · central.sonatype.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Publishing authentication
- Maven publishing requires user-token credentials configured in settings.xml. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Publishing validation
- Uploaded components are validated against Maven Central requirements before publication. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Publishing workflow
- The Central Publisher Portal supports publishing through Maven using the central-publishing-maven-plugin. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Repository purpose
- The Central Repository is a public distribution platform for release-ready community open-source software in the Java ecosystem. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Security limitation
- Sonatype says it does not pre-screen materials and cannot guarantee the safety of components in Maven Central. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Security transport
- HTTPS connections to Central are intended to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks against artifact downloads. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Support
- Publishers can contact [email protected] for usage reviews, higher limits, exemptions or commercial-scale publishing guidance. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Tool integrations
- Central can be used from Apache Ant/Ivy, Gradle and many other tools. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Usage monitoring
- The Usage Center shows organization-level release size, file count and release count metrics. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Vulnerability intelligence
- Sonatype maintains a database of known vulnerabilities for Central artifacts through Nexus Lifecycle, with a limited version in Nexus Repository Manager Repository Health Check. · central.sonatype.org, 1 Oct 2026
Where Maven Central stands on Freedom251
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