Posted by: Ainsley McWilliams
14 February 2025
Blog post updated 24.11.2025
Protect your brand from security threats, compliance gaps and poor user experience. If you’re still on Umbraco 7, 8 or 10, your CMS is out of support. This guide explains what EOL means, the risks of waiting, the safest upgrade paths and how Growcreate delivers upgrades with minimal disruption.
Plan your upgrade with Growcreate – Platinum Umbraco CMS experts.
Take the 2‑minute end‑of‑life assessment.
What end of life means for Umbraco
“End of life” is when Umbraco HQ stops fixing bugs and releasing security updates for a major version. Umbraco confirms the following dates and support windows:
- Umbraco 7 – EOL on 30 September 2023
- Umbraco 8 – EOL on 24 February 2025
- Umbraco 10 (LTS) – EOL on 16 June 2025
- Umbraco 13 (LTS) – supported until 14 December 2026
- Umbraco 17 (next LTS) – scheduled for 27 November 2025 with support to November 2028
These timelines come directly from Umbraco’s long‑term support and EOL schedule. (Source: Umbraco)
If you run Umbraco 8 today, you are post‑EOL. Umbraco HQ states that no security patches or updates are available after 24 February 2025. (Source: Umbraco)
Quick reference
| Version | Support status | Key dates |
|---|---|---|
| Umbraco 7 | End of life | EOL 30 Sep 2023 |
| Umbraco 8 | End of life | EOL 24 Feb 2025 |
| Umbraco 10 (LTS) | End of life | EOL 16 Jun 2025 |
| Umbraco 13 (LTS) | Supported | Security phase ends 14 Dec 2026 |
| Umbraco 17 (LTS) | Releasing | Target 27 Nov 2025 |
LTS releases align with Microsoft .NET LTS cycles. Umbraco 13 runs on .NET 8 LTS. (Source: Umbraco)
Business takeaway: if you’re on 7, 8 or 10, you’re on borrowed time. Plan a structured move to an LTS release for predictable support and security.
How end of life affects security and GDPR
Unsupported software increases cyber risk. The UK ICO's accountability framework explicitly expects organisations not to run unsupported systems and to install vendor updates promptly.
Sector guidance echoes this: NHS England's Data Security Standard 8 requires no unsupported operating systems, software or browsers in the estate.
Regulators also emphasise patching and modern controls. In March 2025 the ICO fined a UK software provider £3.07m and warned organisations to keep systems up to date with security patches and to deploy controls like MFA.
The cost of waiting is material. IBM’s 2025 UK study reports an average breach cost of £3.78m for organisations not using AI and automation, with lower averages for those that do. (Source: IBM UK newsroom)
Business takeaway: continuing with an unsupported CMS weakens your security posture and creates GDPR exposure. Moving to a supported LTS version is a concrete risk‑reduction step.
Is Umbraco 8 end of life and what are the risks
Yes. Umbraco 8 reached end of life on 24 February 2025. From that date there are no security updates, bug fixes or official support. (Source: Umbraco)
Key risks when staying on EOL:
- Security vulnerabilities remain unpatched which increases the likelihood of compromise.
- Compatibility issues mount as browsers, .NET and packages advance, while EOL versions stand still.
- Compliance challenges rise as auditors and regulators expect supported software with timely updates.
Business takeaway: treat Umbraco 8 as a risk to be retired. Plan your upgrade now so you can manage the change on your terms.
Which version to move to
For most organisations today the pragmatic target is Umbraco 13 LTS on .NET 8, with support to 14 December 2026. (Source: Umbraco)
If you prefer to align with the very latest LTS cadence, Umbraco 17 LTS is scheduled for 27 November 2025 and will align with .NET 10 LTS. (Source: Umbraco)
Business takeaway: pick an LTS so you get 24 months of fixes followed by 12 months of security updates.
Automated vs manual migration for SMEs
Moving from Umbraco 8 to modern .NET involves both content and code. There is no direct in‑place upgrade from 8 to current versions because the underlying framework changed from ASP.NET to ASP.NET Core. The recommended approach is to bring your Umbraco 8 database forward into Umbraco 10, then upgrade to the latest major, reimplementing templates and custom code on .NET. (Source: Umbraco Docs)
You can automate parts of the process:
- Content and schema capture with packages like uSync/uSync.Complete for supported versions
- Environment‑to‑environment transfers with Umbraco Deploy
These tools help move content and configuration between environments and projects when used on compatible versions. (Source: uSync; Source: Umbraco Deploy docs)
Choosing your path
| Method | When it fits | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content database migration + rebuild of code | You want to keep content structure and media but modernise the build on .NET 8 | Clean foundation, modern architecture, faster long‑term delivery | Custom code and views are reimplemented; package parity must be checked |
| uSync‑led content/config moves between compatible versions | You have clear environments and package support | Repeatable moves, versioned configuration, team‑friendly | Tooling must match source/target Umbraco versions |
| Umbraco Deploy transfers | Multiple environments, need controlled promotions | Granular content moves, backoffice‑driven | Works within supported versions, not a 8→13 shortcut |
Business takeaway: for most Umbraco 8 sites, a structured rebuild on Umbraco 13 using your migrated content is the safest way to remove legacy debt and stabilise on .NET 8.
How to upgrade without losing SEO
A well‑planned migration protects organic visibility.
- Prepare a complete URL mapping and implement server‑side 301 or 308 redirects to one‑to‑one destinations. (Source: Google Search Central)
- Avoid redirect chains and mass redirects to the home page which can create soft‑404s. (Source: Google Search Central)
- Use permanent redirects; 301 and 308 are the best way to signal a move. (Source: Google Search Central)
- Keep redirects in place for at least a year and submit updated XML sitemaps in Search Console. (Source: Google Search Central)
Business takeaway: with accurate 301s, stable content and measured roll‑out, you should expect temporary fluctuations then recovery.
Zero downtime cutovers on Azure
Azure App Service deployment slots let you warm the upgraded site in a staging slot, then swap into production so users experience no interruption. If needed, you can swap back instantly. (Source: Microsoft Learn)
For higher availability targets, combine App Service with Azure SQL’s 99.99% availability tiers and proven recovery objectives. (Source: Microsoft Learn)
Business takeaway: blue‑green cutovers on Azure give you predictable releases and rapid rollback.
Timeline and cost to migrate from Umbraco 8 to 13
Every site is different, but these are realistic ranges we see in the UK market. All estimates assume a content database migration, rebuilt .NET 8 codebase, upgrade of forms/third‑party packages where available, and an Azure or equivalent modern hosting setup.
| Scenario | Typical size | Indicative timeline | Typical budget (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials upgrade | ≤100 pages, standard components, few integrations | 4–6 weeks | £18k–£35k |
| Business site upgrade | 100–500 pages, forms, 1–2 integrations, modest design tweaks | 6–10 weeks | £35k–£70k |
| Enterprise upgrade | 500+ pages, complex navigation, multiple integrations, phased go‑live | 10–16 weeks | £70k–£140k+ |
What drives cost and time
- Integration complexity – CRM, ERP, payment and identity integrations need contract tests
- Design scope – like‑for‑like rebuild vs UX refresh
- Package parity – alternative packages or custom features if a v8 package lacks a .NET 8 equivalent
- Content clean‑up – retiring legacy sections reduces mapping and QA effort
If you plan to wait for Umbraco 17 LTS, we recommend stabilising on 13 LTS now, then performing a short, low‑risk LTS‑to‑LTS upgrade later to stay within supported windows. (Source: Umbraco)
What you get by moving to Umbraco 13 LTS
- Security – supported stack on .NET 8 with ongoing security fixes to December 2026. (Source: Umbraco)
- Performance and editor productivity – features such as Blocks in the Rich Text Editor, Dynamic Root and Webhooks improve day‑to‑day work. (Source: Umbraco)
- Better headless options – built‑in Content Delivery and Media Delivery APIs streamline omnichannel use. (Source: Umbraco)
Business takeaway: an LTS move is not just defensive. It gives your team faster tools and a platform that keeps pace with your roadmap.
How Growcreate delivers low‑risk upgrades
Growcreate is an Umbraco Platinum Partner with Azure‑native engineering and 24/7 support. (Source: Umbraco partner page)
What we do
- Version audit and upgrade plan – dependency checks, package parity, SEO inventory and risk register
- DevOps and CI/CD – build once, promote through environments with automated tests and approvals
- Blue‑green cutover on Azure – warm the new site, smoke‑test, swap, then monitor closely
- SEO continuity – 1:1 301 map, canonical checks, metadata parity and validated sitemaps
- Integration assurance – contract tests for CRM, ERP and marketing platforms in staging
- 24/7 operations – SLA‑backed monitoring and incident response after go‑live
Explore our Umbraco upgrade services.
Need managed infrastructure as well as code? See Umbraco hosting on Azure.
Ongoing support and SLAs.
Example upgrade path from Umbraco 8
- Discovery and planning – audit v8, confirm content inventory and integrations. Agree the LTS target and hosting model.
- Stand up Umbraco 13 on .NET 8 – provision Azure environments with App Service and SQL.
- Migrate content – bring forward the database via the 8→10→latest route, then rebuild templates and custom code on .NET 8. (Source: Umbraco Docs)
- Package parity – replace or upgrade packages to versions compatible with .NET 8. (Source: Umbraco Docs)
- SEO and analytics – implement 301s, parity‑check metadata, validate sitemaps in Search Console. (Source: Google Search Central)
- Content freeze window – short content freeze for the final delta if needed, or use editor cutover procedures to keep content in sync.
- Cutover – swap staging into production using Azure deployment slots, with instant rollback available. (Source: Microsoft Learn)
- Hypercare – monitor logs, fix redirect gaps, check search performance and error budgets.
Ready to move forward
If your CMS is at risk, we’ll help you transition safely and on schedule.
We’ll
- Review your current version and risk profile
- Recommend the safest path to LTS
- Map the upgrade, redirects and cutover plan
- Confirm timeline, budget and resourcing
See how we support upgrades in regulated sectors: Flagstone, Mortgage Advice Bureau and Quintet Private Bank.
Do you have a question about Umbraco upgrades or migration?
GrowCreate has been an Umbraco Partner since 2014 and is available to support web managers and marketers with free advice on upgrading Umbraco. Contact Ainsley McWilliams with any questions.
FAQs
EOL means no security patches or compatibility updates, which increases risk and puts pressure on compliance. Umbraco 8 is EOL from 24 February 2025 and Umbraco 10 from 16 June 2025. (Source: Umbraco; Source: Umbraco 8 EOL)
Yes. Use blue‑green deployments with Azure App Service slots to warm the new release and swap traffic with no interruption, with one‑click rollback if required. (Source: Microsoft Learn)
Permanent server‑side redirects are the recommended approach for site moves. Expect short‑term fluctuations, then stabilisation when mapping is accurate and you monitor in Search Console. (Source: Google Search Central)
If you wait, you’ll run unsupported software for longer. Stabilising on 13 LTS now shortens the eventual LTS‑to‑LTS hop and keeps you covered through 2026. (Source: Umbraco)
If you're running a website on Umbraco 7, 8 or 10, you may have heard that its end-of-life is approaching or has already passed. EOL for Umbraco means that it will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes or support from the Umbraco team at HQ.
Umbraco 8 end-of-life (EOL) refers to the date when Umbraco will cease providing support and updates for version 8 of its content management system.
Organisations still using Umbraco 8 after the end-of-life date will run unsupported software, potentially exposing themselves to security risks and compatibility issues.
Umbraco 8 has served businesses well since its release and is reaching the end of its supported lifecycle. Here are the dates for Umbraco 8 end of life:
- The final minor version, Umbraco 8.18, was released in February 2022.
- Full version support ended in February 2024.
- Umbraco HQ will provide security updates until February 2025.
- After February 2025, all updates and support for Umbraco 8 will cease.
When software reaches its end-of-life (EOL), it is a normal part of its development. Here's why this happens:
Technology changes quickly, and older software versions can become outdated and less efficient than newer ones. Software companies work on newer versions to stay competitive and offer better solutions.
New versions usually have improved security features to protect against new threats, which makes it important to stop using older, more vulnerable versions. The updated software also performs better and is more stable.
Older software can become incompatible with the rest of the tech world as other technologies change. By setting EOL dates, software providers let users know it's time to upgrade, which helps keep the digital landscape secure and efficient. This practice also encourages ongoing innovation and improvement in the software industry.
Ending support for a software version means more than just stopping updates. It can greatly affect businesses in several ways:
- Security risks: Without security patches, your website becomes more vulnerable to new threats.
- Compliance issues: Not receiving updates may risk your compliance with data protection laws.
- Compatibility challenges: Older plugins and third-party integrations might break, causing issues with your website's functionality.
- Performance degradation: An outdated content management system (CMS) can slow performance and lead to a poor user experience as the web changes.
- Feature limitations: You will miss out on new features and improvements in newer Umbraco versions.
For now, we still suggest upgrading to Umbraco 13, the newest stable long-term support (LTS) version, to keep your website running smoothly and securely. Here are the main benefits:
- Better Performance: WebP image support and faster speeds improve SEO and user experience.
- Easier Content Management: The new block grid editor allows you to drag and drop, making content creation and marketing campaigns more straightforward.
- Improved Forms: The enhanced form builder gives you more flexibility and features.
- Stronger Security: You get better protection against cross-site scripting (XSS) and other security threats.
- Modern Architecture: You'll have headless capabilities through APIs for delivering content and media across multiple channels.
As Platinum Umbraco partners, we have the expertise you need for your project:
- We understand Umbraco's ecosystem and best practices well.
- Our team includes certified Umbraco developers and Umbraco Masters with plenty of experience.
- We have a strong record of successful upgrades and rebuilds.
- We take a comprehensive approach that covers design, development, and strategy.
We start by thoroughly reviewing your Umbraco website. This review helps us understand how your website is set up and decide whether we should upgrade it or do a complete rebuild. After this evaluation, we will give you a clear plan and budget based on your needs.
As Umbraco’s support comes to an end, you may start to notice some limitations in security, performance and updates. EOL can impact your website’s efficiency and ability to make the most of new tools and integrations. We’re here to help guide you through this and ensure you’re equipped for the future so your marketing efforts stay strong and secure.
We know how important consistency is for your brand. We’ll work alongside you to ensure the upgrade or migration happens seamlessly. By sticking to a solid plan and testing everything in a staging environment, we can ensure the user experience and content stay true to your brand, even while we evolve your platform.
We’re here to help you plan the transition. Depending on your website’s size and complexity, the migration process can take a couple of weeks to several months. We’ll work with you to map out a timeline that ensures minimal disruption and plenty of time for testing and refinement before the switch.
Smooth migrations start with a clear plan. Growcreate will guide you through each step, from selecting the right CMS to ensuring the content and data migrate seamlessly. We use the latest tools and techniques to ensure everything is in place while testing it thoroughly to avoid surprises.
Even if Umbraco is functional now, migrating to the latest version of the platform can offer significant benefits, from better scalability and security to future-proofing your digital strategy. Growcreate helps you evaluate the options and ensures that the switch brings value, setting you up for success in the long term.
Without continued support, your content management system may become less reliable and more complicated. EOL could lead to performance issues and a slower workflow for you. At Growcreate, we’re here to make sure you’re equipped with a solution that makes content creation and publishing easier and more efficient, both now and in the future.
We've got the process covered. We'll carefully migrate your content and media, ensuring everything is correctly formatted and transferred. You'll have complete visibility into the process, and we'll work closely with you to make sure everything is organised and ready to go.
We'll take care of most of the heavy lifting for you. Growcreate uses tools and techniques designed to simplify content transfer, and we'll be on hand to ensure the process goes smoothly. Manual adjustments may sometimes be needed, but we'll guide you through that every step of the way.
We're pleased to inform you that there will be no downtime during the migration process. Our team has carefully planned every aspect to ensure your content management processes remain uninterrupted. You can continue your work without any interruptions, and we're committed to making this transition as smooth as possible.
