Lifespan / schedule for each PHP Version Print
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JSWeb partners with Spiral Hosting (https://spiralhosting.com/). Spiral Hosting are committed to providing the latest software on their web servers for optimum performance and security. PHP is a server-side scripting language designed for web development but also used as a general-purpose programming language. PHP is used by approx 75% of all websites, and ~95% of the websites built or managed by JSWeb and hosted by Spiral! The table below contains a schedule outlining the lifespan for each PHP version.
Summary of the PHP lifespan
(a) Launch Date: Spiral Hosting aim to launch a new PHP version as soon as possible after its general release date, but this depends on how quickly the new version is distributed by cPanel and CloudLinux. Spiral Hosting encourage early adoption of new PHP versions; keep your software up to date at all times for the best performance and security.
(b) Active Support Until: This is the date when the PHP developers will no longer support the version, and this is an ideal deadline when you should stop using the PHP version on your website software.
(c) Security Support Until: This is the date when the PHP developers will still release bug fixes and patches, to help maintain the security of your PHP software. If you are using a PHP version after this date, your website software may be vulnerable to security threats and we strongly encourage you to update your website software to meet the compatibility requirements of a newer PHP version. (Note: On CloudLinux servers, they provide security patches for longer as part of their HardenedPHP service).
(d) Decommission Date: This is the final final final "end of life" for a PHP version, when it will be disabled across Spiral Hosting servers and no longer available to use. If your website is using a PHP version where the decommissioning date is approaching, the likelihood is that your website is many years old and no longer a priority, the software should be updated or the website should be deleted.
We aim for the typical life span of each PHP version to be approximately 5 years.
Select your own PHP Version
Almost all PHP settings can be managed via the cPanel control panel, including the PHP version, PHP extensions, and custom PHP variables. Login to your cPanel hosting control panel and look for the option "Select a PHP Version" (on CloudLinux servers) or "MultiPHP Manager" (on MultiPHP servers).
Here is a useful guide: https://my.jsweb.uk/index.php/knowledgebase/135/Custom-PHP-settings-for-your-hosting-account.html
| PHP Version | Launch Date (please read above)* | Active Support Until | Security Support Until | Decommission Date |
| 8.1 (early beta release) | Installed 5 Dec 2021 (via CloudLinux) Coming soon to MultiPHP |
25 Nov 2023 | 25 Nov 2024 | 25 Nov 2026 |
| 8.0 (stable) | Now available! Installed 10 Aug 2021 (via CloudLinux) Installed 19 Oct 2021 (via MultiPHP) |
26 Nov 2022 | 26 Nov 2023 | 28 Nov 2025 |
| 7.4 (native/default version) | Now available! Installed 4 Dec 2019 (via CloudLinux) Installed 4 Jun 2020 (via MultiPHP) |
28 Nov 2021 | 28 Nov 2022 | 28 Nov 2024 |
| 7.3 | 14 Feb 2019 (via CloudLinux) 21 Oct 2019 (via MultiPHP) General release: 6 Dec 2018 |
6 Dec 2020 | 6 Dec 2021 | 6 Dec 2023 |
| 7.2 | Available from 2018 General release: 30 Nov 2017 |
30 Nov 2019 | 30 Nov 2020 | 30 Nov 2023 |
| 7.1 (upgrade now!) | Available from 2017 General release: 1 Dec 2016 |
1 Dec 2018 | 1 Dec 2019 | 1 Dec 2022 |
| 7.0 (imminent removal) | Available from 2016 General release: 3 Dec 2015 |
10 Jan 2018 | 10 Jan 2019 | 3 Dec 2021 (imminent removal) |
| 5.6 (removed) | Available from 2015 General release: 28 Aug 2014 |
31 Dec 2017 | 31 Dec 2018 | 28 Aug 2021 (removed) |
| 5.5 (removed) | Available from 2014 General release: 20 Jun 2013 |
21 Jul 2016 | 21 Jul 2016 | 20 Jun 2021 (removed) |
| 5.4 (removed) | Available from 2013 General release: 1 Mar 2012 |
3 Sep 2014 | 3 Sep 2015 | 3 Sep 2020 (removed) |
| 5.3 (removed) | Available from 2011 General release: 30 Jun 2009 |
14 Aug 2013 | 14 Aug 2014 | 14 Apr 2020 (removed) |
Please note- Spiral Hosting web servers receive PHP updates from two sources:
(1) CloudLinux: Spiral Hosting web hosting plans (shared, reseller, enterprise plans) all run on the CloudLinux operating system, and CloudLinux typically distribute a new PHP version within a few weeks of its general release. Please check your cPanel hosting control panel and look for the option "Select a PHP Version" to switch between different versions.
(2) MultiPHP: This is the standard PHP manager provided by cPanel, which Spiral Hosting include on any cloud/dedicated server which does not have a CloudLinux license. The cPanel system typically takes a few months to distribute a new PHP version. For example, PHP 7.3 went from general release to MultiPHP availability in 93 days. Please check your cPanel hosting control panel and look for the option "MultiPHP Manager".
IonCube Loaders
For web developers with software using IonCube encoding, please note PHP 5.6 includes IonCube v5, PHP 7.0 includes IonCube v6 and PHP 7.1 onwards include IonCube v10 loaders.
PHP 8 onwards will support IonCube v11 loaders but has not been released yet (as of November 2021). For this reason, websites requiring IonCube need to remain on PHP 7.4 for now.