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PHP Version Management

Your website’s PHP version plays an important role in both performance and compatibility. Newer PHP versions generally offer faster execution speeds, better memory handling, and improved security. The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel at web.freakhosting.com makes it simple to view your current PHP version and switch to a different one whenever you need to.

Difficulty

Beginner

Time

3 Minutes

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A Real-World Example

Here is a scenario you might run into. You have just installed a new WordPress plugin, and instead of working, it throws an error saying it requires PHP 8.2 or higher. You check your dashboard and see you are running PHP 8.1. No problem — you can upgrade your PHP version in under a minute, right from the control panel. This guide will show you exactly how.

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Viewing Your Current PHP Version

Your current PHP version is displayed on the main dashboard of your website in the At a glance section.
1

Log In to the Control Panel

Go to web.freakhosting.com and log in with your FREAKHOSTING credentials.
2

Select Your Website

From the dashboard or website list, click on the website you want to check.
3

Check the At a Glance Panel

On the website dashboard, look at the At a glance section. You will see the PHP version number (for example, PHP 8.1) along with an LTS badge if the version is a Long Term Support release. The PHP version entry has a small arrow icon, which tells you it is clickable.
What does the LTS badge mean? LTS stands for Long Term Support. It means that PHP version is a stable, well-tested release that will continue to receive security updates and bug fixes for years to come. Think of it as the “tried and true” option — the version the community has thoroughly battle-tested. When you see the LTS badge next to a PHP version, it is the safest and most recommended choice for production websites.

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Changing Your PHP Version

Switching PHP versions is a straightforward process that takes effect immediately. Let’s walk through it step by step.
1

Go to Your Website Dashboard

Log in to the control panel at web.freakhosting.com and select your website.
2

Find the PHP Version in At a Glance

On the dashboard, look at the At a glance section. You will see the current PHP version displayed (for example, PHP 8.1 LTS).
3

Click on the PHP Version

The PHP version is clickable — you will notice a small arrow icon next to it. Click on it to open the PHP version selection settings.
4

Select a New Version

Choose the PHP version you want to use from the available options. The control panel will clearly indicate which versions are available and which have the LTS badge.
5

Save Your Changes

Confirm your selection and save. The new PHP version will take effect for your website immediately — no server restart needed.
Back up before you change PHP versions. While switching versions is quick and easy, some older plugins, themes, or custom code may not be compatible with newer PHP versions. A plugin that worked perfectly on PHP 8.1 might throw errors on PHP 8.2 if it uses deprecated functions. Always make sure you have a recent backup before making the change, and test your website thoroughly afterwards. If something breaks, you can switch back to the previous version using the same process.

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Understanding PHP Version Compatibility

Not all PHP versions work equally well with every website. Here is what to consider when choosing a version.

Newer Is Generally Better

Each new PHP version brings performance improvements, security patches, and modern language features. PHP 8.x is significantly faster than PHP 7.x for most workloads. If your site and plugins support it, going newer is almost always the right call.

Plugin & Theme Support

Some older plugins or themes may not yet support the latest PHP version. Before upgrading, check your CMS, plugins, and themes for compatibility — most plugin authors list supported PHP versions on their download page or documentation.

LTS for Stability

LTS versions are the safest choice for production websites. They receive security patches and bug fixes for longer, giving you a stable foundation that will not suddenly lose support.

Legacy Code Considerations

If your website uses custom PHP code written for an older version, functions that have been deprecated or removed in newer versions may cause errors. For example, some older WordPress themes used functions that were removed in PHP 8.0. If you see errors after upgrading, this is often the cause.

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When to Upgrade Your PHP Version

Consider upgrading your PHP version in the following situations:
  • Your current version is approaching end of life — Unsupported PHP versions no longer receive security patches, leaving your site vulnerable to known exploits.
  • You want better performance — Newer PHP versions execute code faster and use less memory. Upgrading from PHP 7.4 to 8.1 can give you a noticeable speed boost without changing a single line of code.
  • Your CMS recommends it — WordPress, Joomla, and other platforms regularly update their minimum PHP version requirements. WordPress, for example, has recommended PHP 8.0 or higher for some time now.
  • A plugin or theme requires it — Like our example at the top of this guide, sometimes a new plugin simply will not work until you upgrade.
  • A new LTS version is available — When a new LTS release becomes available, it is a good time to plan an upgrade.

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When to Downgrade Your PHP Version

There are fewer reasons to downgrade, but it may be necessary if:
  • A plugin or theme is incompatible — If a critical plugin does not support the newer version and no update is available, you may need to temporarily use an older version while you wait for the developer to release a fix.
  • Your custom code uses deprecated functions — If upgrading causes errors in custom PHP code, you can downgrade while you update the code to use modern alternatives.
  • Your website breaks after an upgrade — If something stops working after switching versions, switch back to the previous version immediately and investigate the cause. This is exactly why we recommended backing up first.
Use the latest LTS version when possible. LTS releases offer the best combination of speed, security, and long-term stability. Unless your website specifically requires an older version for compatibility, the latest LTS release is the recommended choice. It is the sweet spot between cutting-edge features and proven reliability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Log in to the control panel, select your website, and look at the At a glance section on the dashboard. The PHP version is displayed there along with an LTS badge if applicable. You can click on it to see the available versions.
Use the latest version with the LTS badge for the best balance of performance, security, and stability. Only use an older version if your website specifically requires it for compatibility. If you are unsure, the version with the LTS badge is always a safe bet.
It can, depending on your website’s code and plugins. Older plugins or custom code may use functions that have been removed in newer PHP versions. This is why we recommend backing up before making a change and testing thoroughly afterwards. If anything breaks, switching back takes just a few clicks.
The change takes effect immediately after you save your selection. There is no waiting period or server restart required.
Yes. You can switch between available PHP versions at any time using the same process. Simply click on the PHP version in the At a glance panel and select the version you want to revert to.
Changing PHP version may clear the opcode cache, which means your website might be slightly slower on the first few requests while the cache rebuilds. See our Website Performance Optimisation guide for more details on opcode caching.
LTS (Long Term Support) means that PHP version will receive security updates and critical bug fixes for an extended period — typically several years. It means you can rely on that version without worrying about it suddenly becoming unsupported. For most websites, the LTS version is the ideal choice.

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: March 2026 | Web Hosting Support: PHP version management made simple.