What PHP version should I use for Laravel?

Laravel 11 requires PHP 8.2 or higher. Laravel 10 supports PHP 8.1 to 8.3. Laravel 9 supports PHP 8.0 to 8.2. Always check the specific Laravel version's requirements in the documentation before upgrading your HostingDuty server environment.

Hosting Duty

Laravel PHP Version Requirements

At HostingDuty, we ensure our servers support the latest PHP versions to meet Laravel framework requirements. The PHP version you need depends entirely on which Laravel version you are running. Using an unsupported PHP version can lead to compatibility errors, security vulnerabilities, and missing features.

Laravel 11 and PHP 8.2+

Laravel 11, the latest major release, requires PHP 8.2 or higher. This version of the framework leverages modern PHP features like readonly classes, intersection types, and improved error handling. If you are starting a new project, we recommend using Laravel 11 with PHP 8.2 or 8.3 for the best performance and security.

Laravel 10 and PHP 8.1 to 8.3

Laravel 10 supports PHP versions 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3. This flexibility allows developers to choose between the stability of PHP 8.1 or the performance improvements in PHP 8.3. Most HostingDuty customers running Laravel 10 operate on PHP 8.2 as a balanced choice.

Laravel 9 and PHP 8.0 to 8.2

Laravel 9 supports PHP 8.0, 8.1, and 8.2. However, PHP 8.0 reached end-of-life in November 2023, meaning it no longer receives security updates. We strongly advise against using PHP 8.0 for new deployments. If you are on Laravel 9, upgrade to PHP 8.1 or 8.2 immediately.

Checking Your Current Setup

Before upgrading, verify your current PHP version and Laravel version. You can check this by running php -v in your terminal or inspecting the composer.json file in your project root. The composer.json file specifies the required PHP version under the require section.

HostingDuty Server Configuration

We provide multiple PHP versions on our HostingDuty servers, allowing you to switch versions easily via cPanel or SSH. This flexibility is crucial for Laravel projects that may require specific PHP versions for compatibility with third-party packages.

Migration Considerations

Upgrading PHP versions requires careful planning. Some PHP 8.0 features were deprecated in PHP 8.1 and removed in PHP 8.2. Review the PHP migration guide and PHP 8.2 migration guide before upgrading. At HostingDuty, our support team can assist with migration planning.

Best Practices

Always use the latest supported PHP version for security updates.
Test your application thoroughly after upgrading PHP.
Keep your Laravel framework updated to match PHP version requirements.
Monitor performance metrics after PHP upgrades.

For detailed information on PHP version compatibility, see our PHP version comparison guide and Laravel setup tutorial. You can also check our QA on PHP upgrades for more technical details.