What Is PHP and Which Version Should You Use?
PHP is the programming language that powers most of the web — WordPress, Joomla, Laravel and countless other sites run on it. It works quietly on the server, building each page before sending it to the visitor. The version of PHP you run matters more than most people realise: it affects your site's speed, security and compatibility.
Why the version matters
- Speed — each major PHP release is meaningfully faster than the last. Newer PHP means quicker pages for free.
- Security — old versions stop receiving security updates. Running an unsupported version leaves known holes open.
- Compatibility — your themes, plugins and apps are built for certain PHP versions.
Which version should you choose?
As a rule, run the newest PHP version your software fully supports. For most modern sites that means a current, actively-supported release. Avoid anything the PHP project has marked end-of-life, as those no longer get security fixes.
How to check and change your version
You can see and switch your PHP version in cPanel in a couple of clicks — see changing your PHP version in cPanel. While you are there, enabling OPcache speeds PHP up further.
Test before you switch live
Jumping several versions at once can break older plugins. Test on a staging site first, confirm everything works, then apply the change to your live site.
Frequently asked questions
Will updating PHP break my website?
It can if your site relies on old, unmaintained code. That is why you test on staging first. Well-maintained, up-to-date software generally moves to newer PHP without trouble — and runs faster for it.
My site shows errors after changing PHP version.
Roll back to the previous version to restore the site, then update your themes, plugins or code for compatibility before trying again. The error log shows what broke.
How do I know which version my software supports?
Check the software's documentation or requirements page. WordPress, for example, publishes a recommended PHP version — aim for that or newer where your plugins allow.
Was this article helpful?