2 May 2024 Pete Lister
All Software goes through a lifecycle and traditionally, is broken into various stages before it's phased out and replaced by a new version. These traditionally are:
Support Phase - During this time, your software will be getting regular releases of new features, bug fixes and security patches.
Security Phase - During this time, no new features are being released and only critical security vulnerabilities will be released.
End of Life - No further updates are released, leaving your software open to security vulnerabilities and cyber threat.
Upgrading isn’t just about technology; it’s about staying relevant, secure, and ready for the future.
Umbraco want it to be safe and easy to use Umbraco CMS in Cloud and elsewhere, making it easy for you to stay on the latest support version. After v7 of Umbraco, significant changes were made to the Umbraco framework to align with Microsoft .Net Core (the underlying code which Umbraco is written on) to make the ongoing maintenance and management of your Umbraco Website easier. It also has the added benefits of closer alignment with Microsoft Roadmap.
Umbraco 13 released on December 13th 2023.
Umbraco publish a roadmap of Active and Future Releases.
Umbraco release overview.
Umbraco 8
Release date: February 26, 2019
End-of-life: February 24, 2025
Umbraco 10 (LTS)
Release date: June 16, 2022
End-of-life: June 16, 2025
Umbraco 12 (STS)
Release date: June 29, 2023
End-of-life: June 29, 2024
Umbraco 13 (LTS)
Release date: December 14, 2023
End-of-life: December 14, 2026
Umbraco 14 (STS)
Release date: May 30, 2024
End-of-life: May 30, 2025
Umbraco 15 (STS)
Release date: November 14, 2024
End-of-life: November 14, 2025
Umbraco 16 (STS)
Release date: June 12, 2025
End-of-life: June 12, 2026
Umbraco 17 (LTS)
Release date: November 17, 2025
End-of-life: November 27, 2028
Standard Term Support (STS) and Long Term Support ( LTS) are two terms you might hear talked about with Umbraco but what do they mean and what is right for you?
STS
These are more frequent (twice yearly) meaning you will need to upgrade your website more frequently, but you will have early access to latest features as they are released.
LTS
These are released less often (every 2 years), which means the frequency when you’ll be required to update your software is reduced but you still have the peace of mind. You will still get regular releases of any minor updates and security patches, ensuring your website remains secure.
In summary, choose STS if you’re eager for the latest features, and opt for LTS if you prioritise stability and long-term support. At Effect, we generally recommend clients move to a Long-Term Support Version.
Effect are Umbraco Gold partners, we've supported lots of clients in New Zealand on their upgrade journeys, offering valuable insights and expertise. Here are a few key points to consider:
Determine which version of the software you're currently running to understand the scope of the upgrade and any potential challenges.
Consider if any modifications or updates need to be made to your website as part of the upgrade process. This could include enhancements to functionality, security improvements, or optimisations for performance.
Take the opportunity to revisit your website's design with a design review and assess if it aligns with your current branding, user experience standards, and industry trends. Updating the design can enhance the overall user engagement and perception of your site.
Identify any upcoming business projects or initiatives that may impact or require changes to your website. Ensuring alignment between your website and business objectives. Do you have any business projects this year that require your website?
We’d love to help you with your Umbraco upgrade and ongoing support. You can get in touch with us
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