Choosing the right PHP version when ordering web hosting is a crucial decision that can significantly impact the performance, security, and compatibility of your website. PHP is a scripting language that powers most web applications and content management systems like Wordpress, Joomla, or Drupal. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider which version of PHP to select.

Why Is It Important to Choose the Right PHP Version?

PHP is constantly evolving, and each new version brings performance improvements, security patches, and new features. Older versions of PHP that have reached their End of Life (EOL) may contain unresolved security vulnerabilities, putting your website at risk of attacks. On the other hand, using a too-new version of PHP can cause incompatibility with certain older plugins or themes.

Benefits of Newer PHP Versions

1. Improved performance – Newer PHP versions are optimized for speed. For instance, there can be up to a 50% performance difference between PHP 5.6 and PHP 8.0.
2. Enhanced security – Older PHP versions no longer receive security updates, increasing the risk of vulnerabilities in your applications.
3. New features – Each PHP release adds new functions and methods, making development easier and enhancing the quality of the code.

Supported PHP Versions on Web Hosting

When selecting web hosting, it's essential to check which PHP versions the provider supports. Most web hosting providers offer several PHP versions simultaneously to accommodate the needs of various applications. Typically, you will find versions ranging from PHP 7.4 to PHP 8.2, while older versions such as PHP 5.x and 7.0 are generally no longer supported.

Which PHP Version Should You Choose for Your Website?

1. PHP 7.4 – This version is still widely used due to its stability and broad support across applications. If your site is not yet compatible with the latest PHP versions, 7.4 is a safe choice.
2. PHP 8.0 and 8.1 – These versions offer significant improvements in speed and security. We recommend them for new projects or websites that have been recently updated and use modern plugins or themes.
3. PHP 8.2 – The latest version, offering the highest performance and new features such as readonly properties, enums, and other developer-friendly improvements. This version is ideal for new projects, provided that all components of your site are compatible.

Application Compatibility with PHP Versions

Before deciding on a specific PHP version, it is crucial to verify whether your content management system, plugins, and themes are compatible with that version. For example, WordPress and Joomla have broad support for PHP 7.4 and PHP 8.x, but some older plugins might require a lower version.

How to Change PHP Version on Your Web Hosting?

Most hosting providers allow you to easily change the PHP version through their control panel (such as cPanel or Plesk). The process usually involves the following steps:

1. Logging into your hosting control panel.
2. Navigating to the "PHP Version" or "PHP Settings" section.
3. Selecting the desired PHP version and saving the changes.

When changing the PHP version, it’s always recommended to back up your website and test its functionality, especially if you're making a significant update (e.g., from PHP 7 to PHP 8).

Choosing the right PHP version depends on your website's needs, application compatibility, and performance requirements. As a general rule, the newer the PHP version, the better performance and security you can expect. We recommend selecting the latest version your website supports to ensure it runs quickly, securely, and is ready for future developments. When ordering web hosting, look for a provider that offers a wide range of PHP versions and allows easy switching between them.