Rip-off with Extended Support for PHP

You have a website with a content management system which is written in the programming language php? Then you surely know the problem with the many different versions. For large web hosting providers, this offers a new source of income to charge existing customers with high fees. PHP Extended Support is the magic word.

What's the point of all this?

For some time there are always new php versions in new intervals that are no longer downward compatible. For a long time there was the version 5 with different versions like 5.2-5.6. But most content management systems were always compatible and could also be operated without problems with another php version and a few adjustments in the variables. Since the change to php7 (version 6 was left out completely) the systems were then no longer compatible. It is of course welcome to say goodbye to outdated programming and only use optimized code, but at the time of this writing the Version 8.2 current. Support with security updates is only guaranteed for a maximum of 2 years. The problem here is the lack of support from module manufacturers for the extension of content management systems. As a rule, one cannot simply add, for example, a WordPress Update version to php 8.2 if you don't have support from all the plugin, or theme manufacturers yet. If you simply update the php version, then it is very likely that the website will no longer work. Often it takes a few months until the version is supported by all plugin manufacturers. If you have self programmed code, or a module from a manufacturer that is not so fast in development, then you can not simply change the php version. Some webhosting providers now demand unfounded simply more money for it. For example, a large provider requires for the service 7.81 euros per month surcharge, only so that php 7.4 or possibly soon 8.0 can still use. This is often more than the tariff itself costs. From a technical point of view there is no extra cost to pay here. There is no more security support for the old versions. So you have to accept that security gaps will not be closed anymore and that you should change the version at the latest. Some providers of operating systems, such as Cloudlinux, which for example webhoster.com AG includes extended support for all php versions, including versions 4, 5.x and 7.x. But also administration software like Plesk or cpanel still offer php versions in version 7. These versions are also still offered without horrendous costs for the web hosting provider.

How to avoid the cost of extended php support?

A provider change to a provider that offers maintained php versions in the required version. Web hosting plans or managed servers with Cloudlinux operating system are suitable here.