python versions across linux distributions
on this page
overview
default python versions available in common linux docker base images as of august 2025.
you can always get specific versions from the python dockerhub, but if you are managing a family of images with shared base image, you might not be able to use those.
python versions table
| Docker Image | Python Version | Pip Version | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ubuntu:25.10 | 3.13.5 | 25.1.1 | apt install python3 python3-pip |
| ubuntu:25.04 | 3.13.3 | 25.0 | apt install python3 python3-pip |
| ubuntu:24.04 | 3.12.3 | 24.0 | apt install python3 python3-pip |
| ubuntu:22.04 | 3.10.12 | 22.0.2 | apt install python3 python3-pip |
| debian:trixie | 3.13.5 | 25.1.1 | apt install python3 python3-pip |
| debian:12 (bookworm) | 3.11.2 | 23.0.1 | apt install python3 python3-pip |
| debian:11 (bullseye) | 3.9.2 | 20.3.4 | apt install python3 python3-pip |
| alpine:3.22 | 3.12.11 | 25.1.1 | apk add python3 py3-pip |
| alpine:3.21 | 3.12.11 | 24.3.1 | apk add python3 py3-pip |
| alpine:3.20 | 3.12.11 | 24.0 | apk add python3 py3-pip |
| alpine:3.19 | 3.11.13 | 23.3.1 | apk add python3 py3-pip |
key observations
- ubuntu 25.10 and debian:trixie ship with the latest python 3.13.5
- ubuntu 22.04 still on python 3.10 (lts stability)
- debian 11 has the oldest python at 3.9.2
- alpine consistently uses python 3.12.11 across recent versions (3.20-3.22)
- alpine 3.19 uses older python 3.11.13
- pip versions vary significantly, from 20.3.4 to 25.1.1
python 3.14 release schedule
python 3.14 is currently in release candidate phase (pep 745):
- current status: release candidate 1 (july 22, 2025)
- final release: october 7, 2025
- end of life: october 2030
recommendations
- for latest python (3.13.5): use
ubuntu:25.10ordebian:trixie - for stable lts: use
ubuntu:24.04(python 3.12.3) - for minimal size: use
alpine:3.22(python 3.12.11) - avoid
debian:11if you need modern python features (only 3.9.2)