JBoss.org Community and JBoss Enterprise Middleware

When does it make sense to use one or the other?

JBoss Enterprise

You should use JBoss Enterprise Middleware products if you are developing applications and services that are planned to go into production or require support. Red Hat provides Production and Developer Subscriptions that include full support, patches and updates and have a declared Support Policy. There are also software-only Developer Subscriptions that include patches and updates to ensure that you develop and deploy on the exact same supported products.

Please read Putting open source to the test: The making of JBoss Enterprise Middleware for details on the rigorous productization process JBoss Enterprise Middleware teams use to continually harden and transform cutting-edge open source technology into well-tempered enterprise software products.
Please read the JBoss Enterprise Middleware Brochure for details on Developer and Production Subscriptions for JBoss Enterprise Middleware.

JBoss.org Community

You should use JBoss.org Community projects if you are comfortable using component projects that are supported by the community only, with no firm SLA, and have changes or experimental features that may not make it into the JBoss Enterprise Middleware releases. As such, JBoss.org Community projects appeal to those who are interested in using and/or contributing to bleeding edge technologies that embrace a release early and often cycle and are willing to integrate, support, and maintain multiple projects themselves.

JBoss.org Community Projects and JBoss Enterprise Middleware Details

Services	JBoss.org	JBoss Enterprise
Open Source	X	X
Benefits from testing by worldwide Community	X	X
Patch Update and Service Pack Program		X
Security Errata Program		X
Hot Fix Program		X
Automated Software Update and Alert Service		X
Bug Escalation Process		X
24x7 Production Support & Consultative Service		X
Platform Certifications & Training Certifications		X
Defined Support SLA and End-of-Life Policy		X
Out-of-the-Box Configured for Enterprise Use		X
Includes JBoss Operations Network (ON)		X
Availability of JBoss ON Monitoring		X
Extensive coordinated internal/external testing		X
Ability to Redistribute Patched JBoss Distributions		X