Update 2026, the most important points first
Since our first post in 2024 the situation has shifted noticeably. Above all, METANET has changed its strategy and no longer keeps old PHP versions running free of charge. With that, METANET follows a trend that large hosts introduced internationally long ago. Anyone running legacy websites should check now what this costs in concrete terms.
Now chargeable at METANET
METANET used to keep old PHP versions running indefinitely and free of charge. Now there is a paid PHP Extended Support for PHP 7.0 to 8.1.
If a version that is no longer officially supported is active on a hosting contract, METANET sends an email. If you do not switch to a current version (PHP 8.2 at minimum), Extended Support is activated and charged automatically.
- 17.07.2026 from this date Extended Support is activated automatically
- CHF 10.90 per month for PHP 7.0 to 7.4
- CHF 4.90 per month for PHP 8.0 and 8.1
The prices include VAT and are charged once per hosting contract, regardless of how many domains or websites run on it. The service ends automatically as soon as all domains run on a current version, and it can be ended at any time with an upgrade.
Hostpoint switches off about 1 year after end of life
At Hostpoint, outdated PHP versions usually stay available until about 1 year after the official end of life and are deactivated after that. There is no paid extension service.
Hostpoint recommends choosing the «standard version» or «latest version» directly in the control panel. With automatic updates, however, this often leads to problems.
Fixed schedules with generous deadlines
These 4 providers keep older versions available according to a fixed schedule and switch them off afterwards. There is no ongoing extra fee, and the deadlines are generous.
- cyon Keeps old versions available free of charge for 2 years beyond the official end of support. PHP 7.4 ran until the beginning of 2026, PHP 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 will be deactivated on 31.03.2026.
- Hoststar Works with fixed availability dates and reserves the right to switch a version off earlier in case of serious security holes that cannot be closed.
- hosttech Has cleared up the most. PHP 7.4, 8.0 and 8.1 ran until 31.12.2024, PHP 8.2 until the end of 2025. Currently 8.3 (until 23.11.2026) and 8.4 (until the end of 2028) are running. hosttech announces shutdowns at least 3 months in advance.
- Kreativmedia Deactivates outdated versions, and the next higher standard version then becomes active automatically. If you need an old version, you can add a paid «Webhosting Custom» with PHP from 7.4. Kreativmedia carries out migrations free of charge.
Still free of charge at Novatrend and Infomaniak
If you want to keep using old versions without extra costs, these two are the right choice. They are the patient ones among the hosts.
Novatrend
Keeps offering older versions free of charge after end of life, without a fixed shutdown date. The minimum is now PHP 5.6 and no longer 4.4, as we wrote in 2024. With the next generation of the server operating system, 5.6 and 7.4 could disappear as well, exactly when is open.
Infomaniak
Here you choose the version freely, and older ones stay available too. For a vulnerable version, only a warning appears in the dashboard. Once you have upgraded, you cannot switch back to a vulnerable version for security reasons.
No published shutdown date at Green and Hostfactory
For these two providers, no clearly published schedule for outdated PHP versions could be found in 2026 either. Both let you change the version through their customer portal. If in doubt, a quick question to support is worthwhile.
Why switch to a new PHP version?
Using the outdated PHP 7.4 is like working with Windows 7. It works up to a point, but sooner or later compatibility problems appear. The jump to PHP 8 brings substantial changes, which is why older websites are often not compatible with it.
- Security Current versions fix security problems. Older ones are easier to attack.
- Speed Newer versions make the website faster and put less load on the server.
- Features Updates bring new tools and improvements.
- Compatibility The website works well with modern technologies.
What if I cannot do a PHP update?
There are other measures for the existing website. In a separate test environment you can check whether the CMS (WordPress, for example) and the plugins can be updated without a PHP update. In addition, protection plugins that work like a firewall increase security. These measures are best carried out with a specialist.
With PHP 7.4 a website can in theory stay online for many more years, as long as the host offers the version.
If it no longer does, the website can be moved to another provider such as Novatrend with relatively little effort.
Which PHP version is your website running?
Most hosts show the current PHP version in the control panel, where you can also change it if needed. In WordPress you find it in the «Site Health» tool, which has been available since WordPress 5.2 (around 2019).
How to find the PHP version in WordPress
- Open Site Health In the administration area, click «Site Health» under «Tools».
- Expand the passed tests The list shows all items without problems.
- Read the PHP version The line about PHP shows the version running on the server.
