PHP Version History: Brief Timeline of the World’s Most Used Backend Language

PHP has come a long way since it first appeared in the mid-90s. What started as a simple set of tools for building personal websites has grown into one of the most widely used programming languages across the web. As of June 2025, around 74.0% of all websites still run on PHP—a strong sign of how deeply it’s rooted in web development.

Part of PHP’s staying power comes from its balance of simplicity and flexibility. Popular frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter have helped keep it modern and practical for developers of all levels.

This blog looks at how PHP has evolved over the years—highlighting each version’s key updates, how performance and security have changed, and what developers can expect as the language continues to move forward.

Importance of PHP Version History

The journey began in 1994 with the birth of PHP/FI (Personal Home Page/Forms Interpreter), created by Rasmus Lerdorf, who released its first version in 1995. Since then, PHP has evolved significantly, with PHP 3 introducing advanced features like the Zend Engine.

PHP version history serves as a roadmap highlighting the progress and improvements made to the language over time. Each new release brings enhanced features, bug fixes, security patches, and performance optimizations.

Developers can use these advancements to build more efficient, secure, and powerful web applications by staying up-to-date with the latest PHP versions. The PHP version history provides insights into the evolution of the language itself.

Keeping track of PHP version history also plays a crucial role in ensuring the security of web applications. As vulnerabilities are discovered and patched, upgrading to newer PHP versions incorporating these security fixes is essential.

Neglecting to update PHP versions leaves applications susceptible to known security risks, potentially exposing sensitive data and compromising the system’s integrity. In short, the PHP version history is a valuable resource for developers to stay informed.

Run PHP 8.3 (Or Any Legacy Version) Effortlessly

✓ Switch PHP versions in 1 click
✓ Auto-test compatibility with your codebase
✓ Free downgrade protection for legacy apps
✓ Security patches for older PHP versions

Try PHP Version Control →

Brief Timeline of PHP Versions

Let’s take a quick journey through the timeline of PHP versions to understand how it has evolved over the years.

8.4November 21, 2024November 23, 20288.5November 20, 2025November 23, 2029

PHP Version	Release Date	Support EOL
1.0	June 8, 1995	–
2.0	November 1, 1997	–
3.0	June 6, 1998	October 20, 2000
4.0	May 22, 2000	June 23, 2001
5.0	July 13, 2004	September 5, 2005
5.1	November 24, 2005	August 24, 2006
5.2	November 2, 2006	January 6, 2011
5.3	June 30, 2009	August 14, 2014
5.4	March 1, 2012	September 3, 2015
5.5	June 20, 2013	July 10, 2016
5.6	August 28, 2014	December 31, 2018
7.0	December 3, 2015	December 3, 2018
7.1	December 1, 2016	December 1, 2019
7.2	November 30, 2017	November 30, 2020
7.3	November 28, 2019	December 6, 2021
7.4	August 28, 2019	November 28, 2022
8.0	November 26, 2020	November 26, 2023
8.1	November 25, 2021	November 25, 2024
8.2	November 24, 2022	November 24, 2025
8.3	November 23, 2023	November 23, 2027

Please note that the mentioned support EOL (End of Life) dates for version 8.x are approximations and may be subject to change.

Major PHP Versions to Date

Now, let’s look at the evolution of PHP versions and the range of features they have introduced over the course of their development.

PHP/FI (June 1995)

Initially known as Personal Home Page (PHP), PHP/FI was written in C-language as a PERL/CGI script toolset.

Features of PHP/FI

• Built-in support for mSQL, DBM, and Postgres95 databases
• User-defined functions and cookies

PHP/FI 2 (November 1997)

PHP/FI 2 introduced form handling and HTML embedding, allowing HTML tags to be used within PHP code.

PHP 3 (June 1998)

PHP 3 was a significant rewrite that added limited object-oriented support and extensibility through a modular approach.

Features of PHP 3

• API Extension
• Object-Oriented Support
• Introduction of Zend Engine

PHP 4 (May 2000)

PHP 4 enhanced runtime execution, web server abstraction, superglobals, and improved resource handling.

Features of PHP 4

• Enhanced runtime execution
• Introduced Superglobals
• Web server abstraction layer
• Object overloading support
• Output buffering support

PHP 5.0 (July 2004)

PHP 5.0 focused on language maturity and introduced PDO extension, rewritten XML functionality, and upgraded Zend Engine.

Features of PHP 5.0

• PDO extension for database connectivity
• Rewritten XML functionality
• Upgraded to Zend Engine II

PHP 5.1 (November 2005)

PHP 5.1 brought bug fixes, new built-in functions, improved data code handling, and support for custom auto loading.

Features of PHP 5.1

• Support for custom autoloading
• Over 400 various bug fixes
• Significant performance improvements
• Improved time zone support

PHP 5.2 (November 2006)

PHP 5.2 introduced enhanced error message concept, input filtering extension, JSON support, and upgraded bundled SQLite.

Features of PHP 5.2

• Improved memory manager
• Increased default memory limit
• New extensions with JSON, Zip
• Input filtering extension
• Upgraded bundled SQLite

PHP 5.3 (June 2009)

PHP 5.3 added powerful features like namespace support, late static binding, jump labels, and Nowdoc support.

Features of PHP 5.3

• Namespace support
• Late static binding support
• Jump labels and Nowdoc support
• Deprecation of call-time pass-by-reference and safe_mode

Deprecations in PHP 5.3

• INI directives: define_syslog_variables, register_globals, register_long_arrays, safe_mode, magic_quotes_gpc, magic_quotes_runtime, magic_quotes_sybase
• Comments starting with # in .INI files
• call_user_method() function
• call_user_method_array() function
• define_syslog_variables() function
• dl() function
• ereg() function
• ereg_replace() function
• eregi() function
• eregi_replace() function
• set_magic_quotes_runtime() and its alias, magic_quotes_runtime() function
• session_register() function
• session_unregister() function
• session_is_registered() function
• set_socket_blocking() function
• split() function
• spliti() function
• sql_regcase() function
• mysql_db_query() function
• mysql_escape_string() function
• Passing locale category names as strings
• is_dst parameter to mktime()
• Assigning the return value of new by reference
• Call-time pass-by-reference

PHP 5.4 (March 2012)

PHP 5.4 introduced traits, short array syntax, improved parse error messages, and support for a binary number format.

Features of PHP 5.4

• Trait support
• Short array syntax support
• Improved parse error messages
• Binary format support

Deprecations in PHP 5.4

• mysql_list_dbs() function

PHP 5.5 (June 2012)

PHP 5.5 brought new features like generators, bundled ZendOptimizer, and a new password hashing API.

Features of PHP 5.5

• Generators added
• Bundled ZendOptimizer
• New Password Hashing API
• Introduction of the ‘finally’ keyword

Deprecations in PHP 5.5

• ext/mysql
• preg_replace() /e modifier
• Intl: IntlDateFormatter::setTimeZoneID() and datefmt_set_timezone_id()
• Mcrypt: mcrypt_cbc(), mcrypt_cfb(), mcrypt_ecb(), mcrypt_ofb()

PHP 5.6 (August 2014)

PHP 5.6 introduced constant expressions, an interactive debugger (Phpdbg), improved character encoding, and enhanced file upload capabilities.

Features of PHP 5.6

• Constant expressions
• Interactive debugger (phpdbg)
• Improved character encoding
• Improved file upload capabilities

Deprecations in PHP 5.6

• Calls from incompatible context
• $HTTP_RAW_POST_DATA and always_populate_raw_post_data
• iconv and mbstring encoding settings (iconv.input_encoding, iconv.output_encoding, iconv.internal_encoding, mbstring.http_input, mbstring.http_output, mbstring.internal_encoding)

PHP 7.0 (December 2015)

PHP 7.0 significantly improved scalar type declarations, return type declarations, null coalescing operator, and spaceship operator.

Features of PHP 7.0

• Scalar type declarations
• Return type declarations
• Null coalescing operator
• Spaceship operator
• Deprecation of PHP 4 style constructors and static calls to non-static methods

Deprecations in PHP 7.0

• PHP 4 style constructors
• Static calls to non-static methods
• password_hash() salt option
• capture_session_meta SSL context option
• LDAP: ldap_sort() function

PHP 7.1 (December 2016)

PHP 7.1 introduced nullable types, void functions, symmetric array destructuring, class constant visibility, and asynchronous signal handling.

Features of PHP 7.1

• Nullable types
• Void functions
• Symmetric Array Destructuring
• Class Constant Visibility
• Asynchronous Signal Handling
• Deprecation of eval options

Deprecations in PHP 7.1

• ext/mcrypt
• e pattern modifier for mb_ereg_replace() and mb_eregi_replace()

PHP 7.2 (November 2017)

PHP 7.2 added password hashing, a new object type, method overriding and deprecated the autoload() method and create_functions.

Features of PHP 7.2

• Password Hashing
• New Object Type
• Method overriding

Deprecations in PHP 7.2

• __autoload() function
• $php_errormsg variable
• parse_str() without a second argument
• assert() with a string argument
• gmp_random()
• each() function
• create_function()

PHP 7.3 (December 2018)

PHP 7.3 introduced features like trailing commas in function calls and flexible heredoc/nowdoc syntaxes.

Features of PHP 7.3

• Trailing comma
• Flexible Heredoc and Nowdoc Syntaxes
• PCRE2 Migration
• JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR

Deprecations in PHP 7.3

• Case-insensitive constants
• image2wbmp() function
• FILTER_FLAG_SCHEME_REQUIRED and FILTER_FLAG_HOST_REQUIRED flags used with FILTER_VALIDATE_URL
• Unparenthesized expressions containing ‘.’ and ‘+/-‘ both

PHP 7.4 (November 2019)

PHP 7.4 brought typed properties, underscore numeric separator, and minor improvements.

Features of PHP 7.4

• Typed Properties
• Underscore Numeric Separator
• Minor Improvements

Deprecations in PHP 7.4

• Curly Brace Syntax for Array Access
• real Type
• Magic Quotes and Register Globals (residual references/usage)
• MBString Functions Without Explicit Encodings

PHP 8.0 (November 2020)

PHP 8.0 introduced union types, JIT compilation, constructor property promotion, match syntax, and named parameters. You can check out our blog on PHP 8 to learn more.

Features of PHP 8.0

• Union Types
• JIT Compilation
• Constructor Property Promotion
• Match Syntax
• Named Parameters

Deprecations in PHP 8.0

• PostgreSQL: Several aliased functions
• Required parameters after optional parameters in function/method signatures
• ReflectionParameter::getClass(), ::isArray(), and ::isCallable() methods
• Disabled functions: Reflection and get_defined_functions() deprecations
• libxml_disable_entity_loader function

PHP 8.1 (November 2021)

PHP 8.1 added enums, fibers, never return types, intersection types, and readonly properties.

Features of PHP 8.1

• Enums
• Fibers
• Never Return Type
• Intersection Types
• Readonly Properties

Deprecations in PHP 8.1

• Passing null to non-nullable internal function parameters
• Return types in PHP built-in class methods and deprecation notices
• Serializable interface
• Implicit incompatible float to int conversion
• mhash*() functions (hash extension)
• mysqli::get_client_info method and mysqli_get_client_info($param)
• date_sunrise, date_sunset functions and related INI settings
• strptime function
• strftime and gmstrftime functions
• filter.default and filter.default_options INI settings
• PDO::FETCH_SERIALIZE
• auto_detect_line_endings INI directive
• MySQLi: mysqli_driver->driver_version property

PHP 8.2 (December 2022)

PHP 8.2 introduced readonly classes, DNF types, null, false, and true types, sensitive parameter redaction support, and a new random extension.

Features of PHP 8.2

• Readonly Classes
• DNF Types
• Null, False, and True Types
• Sensitive Parameter Redaction Support
• New Random Extension

Deprecations in PHP 8.2

• Dynamic Properties
• utf8_encode() and utf8_decode() Functions
• ${var} String Interpolation
• Partially-supported callable patterns
• Mbstring extension’s handling of Base64, Uuencode, QPrint, and HTML Entity encodings

PHP 8.3 (November 2023)

PHP 8.3 introduces powerful improvements, including typed class constants, support for deep-cloning readonly properties, and several additions to the randomness extension. It also brings quality-of-life features like the new #[\Override] attribute, a native json_validate() function, and extended support for command line tools. With performance enhancements and language cleanups, PHP 8.3 continues pushing modern PHP development forward.

Features of PHP 8.3

• Typed Class Constants
• #[\Override] Attribute
• Deep-Cloning of Readonly Properties
• json_validate() Function
• Extended Randomizer Methods (getBytesFromString(), getFloat(), nextFloat())
• Dynamic Class Constant Fetch
• Command Line Linter for Multiple Files
• New Functions and Enhancements Across DOM, Intl, LDAP, POSIX, Sockets, and Reflection

Deprecations in PHP 8.3

• get_class() and get_parent_class() function calls without arguments
• Assert: assert_options(), ASSERT_* constants, and assert.* INI settings

PHP 8.4 (November 2024)

PHP 8.4 is a major update to the PHP language, bringing significant enhancements and new functionalities. It contains many new features, such as property hooks, asymmetric visibility, an updated DOM API with HTML5 support, new array functions, an object API for BCMath, and PDO driver-specific subclasses. This version also includes numerous performance improvements, bug fixes, and general cleanup.

Features of PHP 8.4

• Property Hooks
• Asymmetric Visibility
• #[\Deprecated] Attribute
• New ext-dom Features and HTML5 Support
• Object API for BCMath
• New array_*() Functions
• PDO Driver Specific Subclasses
• new MyClass()->method() without parentheses

Deprecations in PHP 8.4

• Implicitly nullable parameter declarations
• E_STRICT constant
• Calling session_set_save_handler() with more than 2 arguments
• CSV: The $escape parameter must be provided
• SUNFUNCS_RET_* constants
• Curl: CURLOPT_BINARYTRANSFER

PHP 8.5 (November 2025)

PHP 8.5 is the next major release of the PHP language, scheduled for release in November 2025. This update introduces several new features aimed at improving code readability, debugging, and overall development experience. It also includes some deprecations to streamline the language.

Features of PHP 8.5

• Pipe operator (|>)
• New array_first() and array_last() functions
• New get_exception_handler() and get_error_handler() functions
• Stack trace support for PHP Fatal errors
• New locale_is_right_to_left() function and Locale::isRightToLeft() method
• CLI: php –ini=diff to output non-default INI directives
• Intl: New IntlListFormatter class

Deprecations in PHP 8.5

• All MHASH_* constants are deprecated

Why PHP 8.3 Outperforms Older Versions

Our hosting unlocks PHP 8.3 benefits:
✓ 50% faster execution vs PHP 7.4
✓ Built-in JIT compiler & OPcache
✓ Prevents 80% of CVEs in older PHP

Upgrade to PHP 8.3

PHP Performance Enhancements

Speed and reliability are major reasons developers upgrade to newer PHP versions. Each update—whether major or minor—typically brings performance boosts that help applications run faster and more efficiently.

PHP 7.3, for example, delivered clear improvements in execution time across many content management systems. PHP 8 continued to build on that, with most versions performing slightly better than 7.4, which showed about 5% fewer requests per second.

PHP 8.4 keeps things moving in the right direction with updates that improve execution speed and reduce memory usage.

These gains matter, especially for resource-heavy websites and busy applications that handle large amounts of traffic.

On top of better performance, each new version strengthens security by patching known issues. It also brings access to modern features and ensures ongoing community support—something older versions eventually lose.

Current Stable Version of PHP

The current stable release is PHP 8.4.8, launched on June 2025. This version introduces several helpful updates that improve how developers write and manage code, with better performance and modernized syntax.

Key features of PHP 8.4 include:

• Property Hooks – Define native getters and setters directly on properties
• Asymmetric Visibility – Allows properties to be publicly readable but only writable within the class
• #[\Deprecated] Attribute – A clearer way to mark deprecated elements with optional messaging
• Updated DOM API – New Dom\ namespace with full HTML5 support and modern document handling
• BcMath\Number Object – Brings operator support and object-oriented math operations
• Array Helpers – Includes new functions like array_find(), array_any(), and array_all() for cleaner logic
• PDO Driver Subclasses – Access driver-specific features via dedicated classes like Pdo\Pgsql
• Method Calls on Instantiation – Supports calling methods directly on new objects without extra parentheses

This release continues PHP’s push toward cleaner syntax, better tooling, and performance upgrades—encouraging developers to keep their environments up to date.

Update to the Latest PHP Version on Cloudways

To update your PHP version to the latest 8.3 version on Cloudways, follow these simple steps:

• Log in to the Cloudways Platform.
• Select your server, which will redirect you to the Server Management.
• Navigate to Settings & Packages → Packages.

• Locate your current PHP version and click the Edit button next to it.
• From the drop-down menu, select PHP 8.3.

• Click Save.
• Voila! Your PHP version will be updated to 8.3 in no time.

Following these steps, you can effortlessly upgrade your PHP version on Cloudways and take advantage of the latest features and improvements.

Conclusion

Throughout this blog, we’ve looked at PHP’s progression from its early versions to the upcoming PHP 8.5. We covered key changes across major and minor releases, including newly introduced features, performance improvements, and deprecations that affect how developers write and maintain code.

With PHP 8.4 now as the current stable release, the language continues to mature with updates that improve clarity, consistency, and usability. From refined type handling to property hooks and extended standard libraries, these changes are part of PHP’s steady effort to support modern development practices.

As PHP 8.5 approaches, staying curret with the latest versions remains important—not only to take advantage of new capabilities, but also to ensure ongoing compatibility and security.

PHP Version History: An Infographic Journey