Python 3.14 has been released, bringing several significant updates to the language. The most notable feature is free-threaded support, which removes the global interpreter lock (GIL), enabling more efficient concurrent programming. This new implementation is a complete implementation of PEP 703, but existing code may still break due to compatibility issues.
Free-threaded mode also includes an adaptive interpreter, originally from the Faster CPython project. However, it’s not installed by default and requires manual installation. The approach remains cautious due to performance and compatibility concerns. While free-threaded Python is now fully supported, single-threaded code may run 5-10% slower with the new interpreter.
Other notable features in Python 3.14 include improved debugger support, template string literals for easier sanitization of user input, support for multiple interpreters in the same process, and a new opt-in interpreter that improves performance by 3-5%. The release also includes support for Zstandard compression and a new command-line interface for inspecting running Python processes.
A new preview install manager is available on Windows, making it easier to install free-threaded builds. However, the JIT compiler, which provides experimental performance gains, is not recommended for production use due to compatibility issues and potential performance slowdowns.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/08/python_314_released_with_cautious