Is your website still running on Silverstripe 4? As Silverstripe evolves and older versions are retired, it’s time to plan for your next supported upgrade. Silverstripe 4 has now reached end of life (EOL) and will no longer receive any security, support, or updates. Why does this matter for you? To ensure your CMS remains secure, stable, and meets your needs, upgrading to a fully supported version sets you up for long-term success.
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Silverstripe 4 EOL is coming: what this means for you
19 May 2025, 12:10 PMSilverstripe 4 has reached end-of-life (EOL). If you’re on Silverstripe 4, now’s a great time to start planing your next supported upgrade.
What are the differences between each Silverstripe version?
Here's a comparison of Silverstripe 4, 5, and 6 to help you understand the key differences:
|
Feature |
Silverstripe 4 |
Silverstripe 5 |
Silverstripe 6 (Upcoming) |
|
Release date |
2017 |
May 2023 |
Expected June 2025 |
|
End of Life (EOL) |
June 2025 |
TBD (Likely ~2027) |
TBD (~2029) |
|
PHP compatibility |
PHP 7.1–7.4 |
PHP 8+ (8.1, 8.2 and 8.3) |
Requires either PHP 8.3 or PHP 8.4. |
|
Performance |
Standard performance |
Faster request handling, improved asset management, WEBP template support |
Faster loading times and smoother interactions, in-memory cache support, read-only database replica support |
|
Security |
Regular security updates, but older protocols |
Advanced security, updated login form |
pbkdf2_sha512 support, secure cookies by default, password protected admin areas |
|
CMS interface |
Functional but slightly outdated |
More streamlined and accessible |
Status flags, new startup theme |
|
Extensibility & API |
Good API support |
Enhanced API, better integrations |
Validated database fieldtypes, flexible template engine |
|
Content management |
Basic content blocks, multilingual support |
More dynamic content blocks, improved asset management |
Updated HTML editor |
What this means for you:
Still on Silverstripe 4?
If you remain on an unsupported version, you’ll no longer receive security and functional updates, which means:
- You're vulnerable to security risks: Without updates, your site could be exposed to known exploits, data breaches, or outages.
- You risk compatibility issues: Hosting environments, PHP versions, and databases may no longer support outdated CMS versions. This can mean slower page load times and a poor user experience.
- Your SEO and performance may suffer: Search engines favour sites using up-to-date technology. So if you’re on an older version, you may show up further down in the results.
- You’re missing out: New features are only available in supported versions of Silverstripe.
Already on Silverstripe 5?
You’re in a great position, with access to the latest features and security updates. To keep your CMS running smoothly, your operating servers and PHP versions must be compatible with your Silverstripe version. One way you can stay ahead of the curve, is by upgrading your PHP capability. If you’re on PHP 8.2(external link), it entered security support only in December 2024 so consider upgrading to PHP 8.3 or 8.4 to make any future upgrades friction free.
Thinking about Silverstripe 6?
Silverstripe 6 builds on the improvements made in Silverstripe 5, with enhanced performance, more flexible APIs, and stronger security. Learn more about Silverstripe 6.(external link)
What version should you upgrade to?
Silverstripe 6 was released in June 2025, with extended support until 2029. Silverstripe 5 has support until 30 April 2027. Upgrading to Silverstripe 5 sets you up for a smooth upgrade to version 6 when you’re ready.
Not sure what’s best? Talk to a Silverstripe expert to help you decide based on your goals, resources, and timelines.
Don’t forget: Silverstripe Cloud Public Sector On-Prem plans are retiring
If you’re still on Silverstripe Cloud Public Sector On-Prem (SCPS) plans, these are retiring 30 September 2025. After this date, your website will go offline. With the EOL approaching, there’s a greater risk of service disruption and vulnerabilities, as well as the additional cost for ongoing support.
Now, is a great time to plan both your CMS upgrade and migration to a secure cloud service. Or if you're on Silverstripe 5, you can migrate your site to a secure cloud service without changes. Migrating to a 100% New Zealand-owned and based cloud company like Catalyst Cloud ensures your data is protected under New Zealand laws and that you achieve data sovereignty. Consider partnering with a Silverstripe vendor that can support you with both.
Next steps
- Request a code audit: Understand your current set up and gain a clearer path of your upgrade. An audit can take up to a week, and identify the full scope of your upgrade – from identifying any accessibility and design issues to indexing databases and customisations that need updating.
- Give Silverstripe 6 a go: Your development team can get a feel for the next release (external link)and pass along any feedback to the Silverstripe team.
- Outsource support if needed: If you don’t have the in-house expertise, partner with an experienced Silverstripe vendor who can support your upgrade and migration with zero downtime.
Upgrading from Silverstripe 4
Tasman District Council upgraded their Silverstripe 4 before end of life, using the opportunity to also migrate from SPCS. Our Silverstripe team at Catalyst are proud to have supported Tasman District Council with their upgrade and migration. Now, Tasman District Council are on a fully supported Silverstripe version and hosted on Catalyst Cloud, while achieving zero downtime and project completion within their tight deadline.
Ready to start your upgrade or have any Silverstripe questions?
