Posted by: Luke Munday
03 January 2024
Upgrade from Umbraco 8 to Umbraco 13 for a faster, more secure platform
Support for Umbraco 8 ended in February 2025. If you are still using it, you are now on an unsupported platform. The longer you wait, the greater the risks to security, compatibility and performance.
Upgrading to Umbraco 13 is about releasing faster performance, stronger security and a better experience for your editors and users.
As an Umbraco Platinum Partner, we help enterprises upgrade from Umbraco 8 to Umbraco 13 in under three months, with no downtime and full content preservation.
Why upgrade from Umbraco 8 to Umbraco 13 now
- Security – Unsupported software leaves you vulnerable to attacks
- Performance – Umbraco 13 runs on .NET 8 for faster load times and scalability
- Support – Long-term support (LTS) for Umbraco 13 and .NET 8 runs until Q4 2026
- Editor experience – New blocks, APIs, and workflow tools speed up content delivery
Umbraco 8 vs Umbraco 13 comparison
| Feature / Capability | Umbraco 8 (.NET Framework) | Umbraco 13 (.NET 8 + ASP.NET Core) |
|---|---|---|
| Support status | Ended Feb 2025 – No updates | LTS until Q4 2026 |
| Performance | Slower load times | Optimised for speed & scalability |
| Security | No security patches | Ongoing updates & improved protection |
| Editor tools | Limited structured content options | Blocks in Rich Text Editor, improved media management |
| Headless API support | Requires packages or custom dev | Built-in Content & Media Delivery APIs |
| Workflow automation | Manual or plugin-based | No-code/low-code Webhooks included |
Umbraco 13 features and functionality
Umbraco 13 introduces new features and improvements. Embracing a headless approach, Umbraco 13 integrates the Content Delivery API, Media Delivery API, Preview, and Webhooks into its core, eliminating the need for additional installations or custom API development. This leap ensures an enriched headless experience and seamless integration possibilities.
Enhanced editor capabilities and structured blocks
Editors now wield more control with Umbraco 13's Blocks in the Rich Text Editor, enabling structured and dynamic content creation without waiting on developer time. The inclusion of no-code/low-code Webhooks empowers editors to automate workflows and reduce dependency on developers.
Key Umbraco 13 features and benefits
Runs on .NET 8 + ASP.NET Core 8
Experience faster performance, better scalability, and more efficient hosting with the latest Microsoft technologies.
Built-in headless APIs
Content Delivery API, Media Delivery API, Preview, and Webhooks are now part of the core — no need for extra packages.
Blocks in Rich Text Editor
Empower editors to create dynamic, structured content without relying on developer time.
Improved image processing with ImageSharp 3.1
Better performance, security, and rendering efficiency for image-heavy websites.
Enhanced security controls
Concurrent Login Control and updated dependencies help keep your platform protected.
What happens if you stay on Umbraco 8?
- Higher security risks with no patches or vendor support
- Increasing compatibility issues with modern browsers and hosting environments
- Slower performance impacting user experience and SEO
- Rising costs as workarounds become more complex
Umbraco 13's additional features
Nested field limiting and expansion in the Content Delivery API, a minimal hosting model aligned with Microsoft's standards, and updated NuGet dependencies, including ImageSharp enhancements, contribute to a holistic upgrade. Concurrent Login Control enhances security, and a new login screen offers a glimpse into the upcoming "Bellissima" back office revamp scheduled for Umbraco 14.
As Umbraco 8 steps aside, Umbraco 13 stands as the platform for modern .NET web development. The combination of headless capabilities, advanced editor tools and the latest .NET technologies makes it faster, more secure and easier to manage.
Still on Umbraco 8? Every month you wait, the risks and costs grow. We migrate platforms to Umbraco 13 in under three months, keeping content and functionality intact. Protect your platform for years to come.
Start your Umbraco 8 to 13 migration today
We’ve migrated enterprise platforms for financial services, membership organisations, and large corporates to deliver faster, more secure websites with zero downtime.
Avoid risk. Unlock performance. Upgrade to Umbraco 13 now.
Upgrading from Umbraco 8 to 13 FAQs
No. You must first upgrade from Umbraco 8 to Umbraco 10, then move from Umbraco 10 to 13. This ensures compatibility and a smooth transition.
You'll be running an unsupported platform with no security patches, bug fixes or vendor support. This increases the risk of downtime, data breaches and compliance issues.
Most projects take between a few weeks and three months, depending on site complexity, integrations and custom features.
Yes. We migrate your content, templates and core functionality so your site works as expected on Umbraco 13.
Yes — editors can now use Blocks in the Rich Text Editor, built-in APIs and Webhooks for faster publishing and automation, all within a modernised interface.
Umbraco 13 has Long-Term Support until Q4 2026, in line with Microsoft’s .NET 8 lifecycle.
