Are you planning to upgrade your Umbraco website this year? Here’s what to consider: Umbraco 16, released in June 2025, is a short-term support (STS) version focused on editor usability and developer flexibility. It introduced a cleaner backoffice, a new Tiptap rich-text editor instead of TinyMCE, field-level permissions, and better integration support. It runs on .NET 9 and is fully Cloud-ready.
However, Umbraco 17 is just around the corner — expected in November 2025 — and, like Umbraco 13 previously, will be a long-term support (LTS) release aligned with .NET 10. And that will mean multi-year support through late 2028, compared to Umbraco 16's end-of-life in mid-2026. So if you're looking for immediate improvements, 16 is a solid option. But if long-term stability is your priority, it may be worth waiting just a few more months for 17. Let’s break it down for you.
What’s new in Umbraco 16 — and why it matters
Umbraco 16 has something both for web developers and content editors:
New Tiptap editor: Replaces a bit outdated and limited TinyMCE with a drag-and-drop interface and cleaner HTML output. Fully customizable toolbar options let you simplify the editor UI.
Field-level permissions: You can now restrict or hide individual fields based on user roles — great for larger teams or projects with compliance needs.
Streamlined backoffice: The UI is calmer, more consistent, and less cluttered, helping content teams stay focused.
Improved extensibility: New APIs make it easier to build custom features or integrations that stay upgrade-safe.
Built on .NET 9 and optimized for Umbraco Cloud, version 16 delivers better performance out of the box.
A glimpse at Umbraco 17 — the next LTS
Coming in November 2025, Umbraco 17 will be next long-term support release, aligned with .NET 10. Key new features:
Lit-based UI: A complete front-end overhaul using modern Lit Web Components, replacing the aging AngularJS backoffice.
New Extension SDK: Developers can build custom dashboards and editors with up-to-date frameworks like JavaScript/TypeScript.
Cleaner architecture: Faster startup, smarter caching, and improved dependency injection make both editing and delivery faster.
Stronger headless support: Better APIs, GraphQL improvements, and webhook features align with modern content delivery needs.
As an LTS version, Umbraco 17 offers three years of support, making it a strong choice for large or long-term projects seeking stability and future-ready architecture.
Support cycles: STS vs LTS – what to know
Still not sure about the answer? Let’s make it as simple as possible:
Need long-term stability? Wait for 17. It’ll be supported for years and better suited for enterprise projects with long roadmaps.
Need new tools now? Go with 16. It’s stable, feature-rich, and built on .NET 9. You’ll just need to plan a smaller upgrade to 17 next year.
On an older version? Don’t wait. Umbraco 10 is out of support mid-2025, and 8 is already EOL. Upgrade now to stay secure – possibly straight to 17 if timing works.
On Umbraco 13? You’re fine for now. Support lasts through 2026, so you can hold off unless a specific 16 feature is urgent.
STS (14→15→16) is great for faster feature access, while LTS (10→13→17) is best for stability. If you’re running the latest STS, you’re on a smooth track to the next LTS – just expect one more upgrade in between.
As Umbraco experts and partners, we can help you evaluate the costs and risks for your specific scenario. Schedule a consultation with our team to determine the optimal upgrade strategy – whether that means moving to Umbraco 16 today or timing your deployment around the next LTS release.
Umbraco upgrade coming up? Consult with adhdev, Umbraco Partner agency from Poland with high-end expert on board and cos-effective web development services to offer.
