Umbraco 17 has now arrived, and it represents one of the most important releases in Umbraco’s recent history. As the new Long Term Support (LTS) version, it’s the version organisations will be upgrading to for long-term stability, security and predictable future updates.
But what’s actually different about Umbraco 17? How does it fit into the new release cadence? And what should businesses be thinking about before making the move?
This blog gives you a clear, practical overview — without repeating what’s already on our Umbraco 17 upgrade page — so you can understand the bigger picture and make informed decisions about your digital roadmap.
A new era for Umbraco: why version 17 matters
Umbraco has been shifting towards a faster, more structured release cycle to keep up with modern .NET, security standards and performance expectations. Version 17 is the first release where this strategy becomes fully visible.
You can read the official release notes here.
What makes Umbraco 17 significant?
- It’s the next Long Term Support version, meaning extended support windows.
- It aligns with .NET 8, giving you the latest performance, memory management and security improvements.
- It sets the foundation for smoother future upgrades, thanks to the simplified architecture introduced since v13.
- It introduces new patterns that will shape Umbraco development in the coming years.
For organisations who want a stable, supported, future-proof CMS, 17 is now the “safe landing zone.”
What’s new: the practical changes that matter
1. Better long-term stability
As an LTS release, Umbraco 17 will receive:
- Two full years of support
- An additional year of security patches
View the outline for Umbraco’s official lifecycle policy
2. Improved performance and modern architecture
By moving to .NET 8 and continuing the cleanup from earlier versions, Umbraco 17 is:
- Faster
- More memory-efficient
- Better optimised for cloud hosting
- Easier for developers to manage and extend
Microsoft’s .NET 8 overview explains the improvements in more detail.
3. A cleaner upgrade path going forward
The modernisation steps taken in versions 10–16 now mean:
- Less legacy code
- Fewer breaking changes in future releases
- Faster migration from one LTS version to the next
4. Stronger package ecosystem
Packages are increasingly aligned with the modern Umbraco stack, resulting in fewer blockers for upgrades.
5. Improved editor and content workflows
Content editors benefit from smoother back-office performance, better UX, and more accessible tools.
Should you upgrade to Umbraco 17?
In most cases, yes — especially if:
- You’re on a version already at, or near, end-of-life
- You want long-term support
- You want stronger performance and security
- You want a cleaner upgrade lifecycle moving forward
- You’re planning major improvements or rebuilding parts of your site
For a closer look at what an upgrade involves, visit:
Umbraco upgrade services
What organisations need to consider before upgrading
Before making the move, review the following:
- Package compatibility: Check which packages or integrations your site relies on — and whether they support Umbraco 17.
- Custom code and APIs: Older integrations may need updating or refactoring.
- Hosting and infrastructure: You may need hosting that supports .NET 8.
- Timing: If you’re planning a redesign or new features, aligning these with your upgrade can reduce cost and duplication.
To understand your upgrade readiness, use our assessment tool:
Umbraco 17 Upgrade Readiness Check
What to do next
1. Get clarity on your path forward: Use our readiness check to understand complexity, blockers and timelines.
2. Review your roadmap: Align planned improvements with your upgrade for better ROI.
3. Speak to an expert: An Umbraco partner can help you define priorities, risks and recommended approaches.
Learn more about our Umbraco upgrade services.
Schedule a free 30-minute upgrade chat
If you'd like expert advice on whether Umbraco 17 is right for your organisation, you can book a free 30-minute conversation with our team. We’ll walk through your current setup and give you clear, practical next steps.
