sqldevelopercurrent: v26.2.0 · 2026-07-14
SQL Developer versions: release history and JDK requirements
SQL Developer versions follow Oracle’s year-based numbering — the current release is 26.2.0 (2026-07-14, JDK 17) — and this page maps every notable version to its release date, required JDK, and the official place to download it.
SQL Developer version × JDK matrix
This matrix consolidates what Oracle scatters across per-version installation guides: which JDK each SQL Developer version line actually requires, when it shipped, and where its official download lives. Sources: Oracle’s release documentation and release history.
| Version line | Released | Required JDK | Status / where to download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26.2.0 (build 26.2.0.186.2220) | 2026-07-14 | JDK 17 | Current — direct downloads on our homepage, no account needed |
| 24.3 / 24.3.1 | Oct–Nov 2024 | JDK 17 | Supported to April 2027 — release notes |
| 23.1 | April 2023 | JDK 11 | Superseded — Oracle keeps its 23.1 docs online |
| 21.4.1 | Early 2022 | JDK 8 / 11 | Superseded — old download page remains |
| 4.1 – 17.3 | 2015–2017 | JDK 8 | End of life — JDK 8 era; last lines before year-based numbering |
| 4.0 | 2013 | JDK 7 | End of life — the last JDK 7 release |
How to download old SQL Developer versions safely
Oracle never deletes its per-version download pages — it just stops linking them prominently. That means the safe way to get an old build is always oracle.com itself, found through the official release history, never a file-hosting mirror. Two reasons this matters:
- Checksums. Only Oracle’s pages publish the matching SHA-1 for each archive. A re-hosted zip on a download portal cannot be verified — and for a tool that connects to your production database, unverifiable binaries are a real risk, not a theoretical one.
- Licensing. Downloads from 24.3 onward are under the Free Use Terms and Conditions license with no sign-in; some older pages still use the previous OTN click-through, which may ask for an Oracle account. That is Oracle’s gate, not a reason to use mirrors.
If you are picking an older version deliberately, choose 24.3.1: it is the only old line still inside its support window (April 2027), it runs on the same JDK 17 as 26.2.0, and it was the last line to ship Intel Mac builds — the reason it appears in our Mac guide. For anything older, check the matrix above for the JDK you will need, and see the JVM error guide if the launcher cannot find it.
Need the current release instead? Download SQL Developer 26.2.0 — direct Oracle links with measured sizes and checksums.
SQL Developer versions — FAQ
What is the latest version of SQL Developer?
SQL Developer 26.2.0 (build 26.2.0.186.2220), released on 2026-07-14, is the latest version. It requires JDK 17, which the Windows x64 and macOS archives bundle.
Where can I download old versions of SQL Developer?
From Oracle’s own archives: each release keeps its download page on oracle.com (for example the 24.3.1, 23.1.1 and 21.4.1 pages), all linked from Oracle’s SQL Developer release history. Avoid third-party mirrors — old installers on file-hosting sites cannot be checksum-verified against Oracle.
Which JDK does each SQL Developer version need?
Per Oracle’s installation guides: SQL Developer 24.3 and later (including 26.2.0) require JDK 17; 23.1 requires JDK 11; versions 4.1 through 17.3 run on JDK 8; and 4.0 was the last JDK 7 release.
How long is SQL Developer 24.3 supported?
Until April 2027. Oracle extended the official support window of the 24.3 line (24.3 and 24.3.1) to April 2027, announced in February 2026 — which makes 24.3.1 the safest older release to standardize on.
Why did version numbers jump from 24.3 to 26.x?
Oracle aligns SQL Developer version numbers with the release year: 23.1 shipped in 2023, 24.3 in 2024, and 26.2.0 in 2026. The jump reflects the year-based numbering scheme, not skipped feature generations.
Do old SQL Developer versions require an Oracle account?
Sometimes. Releases from 24.3 onward use the Free Use Terms and Conditions license with direct, account-free downloads. Some older version pages on oracle.com still sit behind the previous OTN license click-through, which may ask you to sign in.
Should I upgrade or stay on my current version?
Upgrade if you are on anything older than 24.3 — those builds are outside their support window and expect end-of-life JDKs. Between 24.3.1 (supported to April 2027) and 26.2.0, both are current; pick 26.2.0 for the newest fixes.
Can two SQL Developer versions run side by side?
Yes. SQL Developer is portable, so extracting each version into its own folder gives you fully independent installs. On first launch a new version offers to import the previous version’s settings and connections.