Which PHP Version is Best for WordPress? A Guide to Optimal Performance and Compatibility

PHP is what keeps WordPress running. It controls your WordPress site’s functions and makes it simple for plugins and themes to work with. Choosing the correct PHP version is crucial for your WordPress site’s speed, security, and compatibility. There are many new forms of PHP, including ones like PHP 8.0 and PHP 8.1.

Understanding which PHP version is best for WordPress in 2025 will help you maximize its benefits.

If you use the older version of PHP, such as PHP 5.6 or even PHP 7.0, themes and plugins won’t work with your WordPress site, and your site could be helpless.

Moving up to a more recent version of PHP, such as PHP 7.4 or the latest rendition, can fix these issues and make PHP quicker and better ready to deal with new elements. Confirm with your hosting provider or managed WordPress hosting service that they support your desired PHP version.

Before you upgrade PHP WordPress, a PHP compatibility test can help you find problems with compatibility issues. Upgrading your PHP version and ensuring it works with the latest version of WordPress will give you the best speed.

Curious about the best PHP version for WordPress? Let’s explore the options to enhance your site’s performance and security.

PHP’s Role in WordPress

PHP is a server-side coding language that all WordPress sites are built on. Server-side scripts make the dynamic pages that appear on your WordPress site. It is necessary to run WordPress well and keep track of plugins and styles. Your PHP version significantly affects your website’s speed, safety, and value. If you use an old version of PHP, like PHP 5.6 or PHP 7.3, themes and tools might not work with your site correctly, leaving it open to attacks.

WordPress recommends using the latest PHP version to use with the WordPress site. To meet core standards, use the latest WordPress version and get the most out of new features that make it run faster.

When you upgrade your PHP and WordPress to PHP 8.0 or 8.1, security and speed improve because they fix problems that older PHP versions have. But before you update your PHP version, use a PHP compatibility tool to see if there are any problems with themes and plugins.

The hosting solution you choose is vital for running the current version of PHP. Most managed WordPress hosting services make PHP changes easier, ensuring that WordPress 6.6 and later versions will work and be supported.

For optimal performance, it is recommended that you update WordPress to the most recent PHP version. This will ensure smooth operation, better security, and faster site speed.

What Are the Latest PHP Versions in 2025?

In 2025, PHP will continue improving, with each new delivery bringing innovative changes. 

PHP 8.3, one of the latest versions, introduces enhancements tailored to the needs of modern WordPress sites. Ensure your WordPress site works at its best with these versions, enhancing speed, security, and support for better features.

Pushing the significance of picking the correct PHP version for your WordPress site is impossible. You could have the option to use prior versions of PHP, such as 5.6 or 7.3, yet they accompany many dangers, such as modules and subjects not working with them. Update the latest PHP variant, which your hosting provider most likely permits, to keep your site protected and running optimally.

Upgrade to PHP 8.0, PHP 8.1, or PHP 8.2 to guarantee your site has the most recent features and works with additional projects. WordPress recommends using PHP 7.4 or higher. When you use managed WordPress hosting services, these upgrades are enormous because they guarantee that PHP refreshes work without a hitch.

To shield your site from security openings and guarantee it works with the latest WordPress version and plugins, ensure your WordPress PHP version is the latest as you plan for 2025 and beyond.

End-of-Life for Older PHP Versions

Starting around 2025, older versions of PHP, such as PHP 7.2 and 7.4, are not generally supported or updated for security. This is classified as the “end of life” (EOL). Using older PHP, such as 5.6 or 7.3, opens your WordPress site to security lapses, making it easier for programmers to take advantage of points of weakness.

Furthermore, these versions may not work accurately with newer WordPress themes and plugins, which can make your WordPress site less helpful.

To get your site’s best performance and security, you should move up to the latest version of PHP, such as PHP 8.0, PHP 8.1, or even the newest variant. Most web hosts and WordPress hosting companies offer devices to assist you with figuring out what form of PHP you’re using and, afterward, changing to the most recent version.

Adopting the latest version of PHP guarantees it works with the newest version of WordPress. This implies that subjects and modules will work better and have fewer problems.

Why Upgrading PHP is Important for WordPress Sites

Updating your PHP version is essential for keeping your WordPress site safe and running. As of 2025, active support for older PHP versions like 7.4 and 5.6 has ended. This increases the risk of security breaches on your WordPress site.

Using the most recent version of PHP speeds things up and ensures they work with the most recent version of WordPress and new plugins and themes. Many WordPress hosting companies say you should update to a new version of PHP to fix compatibility problems and use features meant to improve the user experience.

By upgrading, you can ensure that your site works at its best, lower the load on the server, and keep up with the current PHP version requirements.

→ Performance Benefits:

The most recent versions of PHP, like PHP 8.1 and 8.2, make WordPress sites run much faster. Based on benchmarks, PHP 8.0 handles requests almost three times faster than PHP version 7.4. This means that servers are much less busy, and pages load faster. Users are happier, stay on your site longer, and have a better general experience when websites load faster.

Upgrading from outdated PHP version 7.4 to PHP 8.1, for example, can cut the time it takes for your WordPress site to load by up to 30%. This is important for user experience and search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines, like Google, like it when sites load quickly, and updating your PHP version can help your ranking. When you use a newer version of PHP, you can also add advanced features and current frameworks that work with the most recent version of WordPress.

Your hosting company must support a compatible PHP version to ensure smooth WordPress operation. Using outdated PHP versions, such as PHP 7.3 or 7.0, can lead to performance issues and slower site speeds. When you upgrade, your site will get the best-in-class changes that come with the newest version of PHP.

→ Enhanced Security:

It is hazardous for WordPress sites to use an old version of PHP, like PHP 7.x. These older versions of PHP will no longer get fixes after 2025, which means hackers can use them. On the other hand, updating the most recent version of PHP ensures that your site has the most recent security fixes.

The core of WordPress recommends using PHP 7.4, but for better protection, you should use PHP 8.1 or 8.2. Many WordPress hosts will help you figure out which version of PHP you’re using and show you how to switch to a new one. Malware threats, data breaches, and other security holes can be fixed by switching to a new version of PHP.

Updating your PHP version also makes it easier for security-focused tools, like firewalls and scanning apps, to work with your site. You need secure frameworks built on PHP’s latest version to keep trust and protect private user data. Ensuring your site uses a more recent version of PHP keeps it safe and in line with WordPress version guidelines.

→ WordPress Compatibility with PHP Versions: Plugins and Themes:

This is usually because themes and plugins don’t work with old versions of PHP. There are several issues with themes and plugins.

Modern WordPress plugins and themes are designed to work best with the latest PHP version, leveraging advanced features for optimal performance. Changing your WordPress site will likely give you problems if you keep using older versions of PHP.

You can use tools like WP Security Ninja or PHP Compatibility Checker to avoid trouble when upgrading your PHP version. These tools ensure the change goes smoothly because they show you what needs fixing. You can make your WordPress site more reliable by updating to a new version of PHP that aligns with modern development standards.

Your plugins and themes will work well with the latest version of WordPress if you update to PHP 8.0 or later. It’s better for users and less likely to make mistakes if you stay up to date. 

When you use a managed WordPress hosting service from your hosting company, upgrading your PHP version is usually straightforward. This ensures your site works well with current WordPress and PHP.

Which PHP Version is Best for WordPress in 2025?

As of 2025, PHP 8.1 or 8.2 is the best version for a WordPress site because it works best with the latest WordPress and is the safest. WordPress suggests using PHP 8, ensuring that the WordPress version standards are met and improving speed and security. Most hosting companies now accept newer versions of PHP.

However, make sure that the WordPress plugins, themes, and custom scripts you choose work with the version of PHP you choose. Using older versions of PHP, like 7.4 or 5.6, is unsafe because they are not supported. With managed WordPress hosting, PHP changes are made more manageable, so your site will work with the latest version of PHP without any problems.

How to Check Your Current PHP Version in WordPress

To find out what version of PHP you are running on WordPress, go to your server control panel or use a plugin like “Site Health.” You can also go to the files on your website and make a phpinfo.php file to show the PHP version.

→ Via WordPress Dashboard: 

Sign in to your WordPress site to see what PHP version you are using right from the WordPress homepage.

Go to Tools > Site Health to use a tool that checks the performance and configuration of your WordPress site. To get to the Server Environment area, click the Info tab and then scroll down. This shows what kind of PHP your site uses.

With this method, you can tell if you’re using a higher version of PHP, like PHP 8.0 or PHP 8.1, or an older version, like PHP 7.4 or PHP 5.6. Use this knowledge to fix compatibility problems and plan an update to PHP.

→ Using the WP Health Check Plugin:

A great way to check the PHP version in WordPress is with the WP Health Check plugin. 

Once installed, it gives you much information about your WordPress site’s server settings, such as the latest version of PHP. This plugin checks to see if there are any possible compatibility problems with themes or plugins so your WordPress site runs efficiently.

It also tells you if you need to update PHP to the most recent version, like 8.2, or if you need to deal with the risks of using older versions, like 5.6. With this app, you can ensure that your site stays updated with the latest standards and works at its best.

Steps to Upgrade Your PHP Version Safely

Keep your website secure and efficient by upgrading PHP. Use this guide to follow the proper steps and complete the update safely.

1. Prepare a Backup of Your Site

It is essential to back up your WordPress site before you attempt to update your PHP version. You can restore your site from full backup without losing data if something turns out badly. This is simpler with backup tools like UpdraftPlus, which lets you back up your WordPress site’s files and database. Moving from a more established version of PHP, such as PHP 5.6, to a newer version, such as PHP 8.0, is vital. It is suggested that all WordPress sites keep backups, particularly before rolling out considerable improvements to your server settings.

2. Check Theme and Plugin Compatibility

Ensuring your themes and plugins work with the target PHP version is integral to keeping your WordPress site stable. There may be problems with plugins and themes not working with newer PHP versions.

Tools like WP Security Ninja can help you fix these problems before you upgrade to a newer PHP version. Many WordPress plugins and themes need a specific version of PHP to work correctly.

For instance, moving from PHP 7.4 to PHP 8.0 might show that old extensions don’t work with the new version. Checking the PHP version will ensure that your WordPress site keeps running at its best after the upgrade.

3. Work with Your Hosting Provider

Your hosting provider is an essential version of your WordPress site. Most hosting plans, like those that use cPanel or Plesk, have control tools that let you change the PHP version. If you have managed WordPress hosting, your web host may do this for you or give you step-by-step directions.

If you run into problems, you should contact your WordPress hosting service. Their customer service teams can help you choose the best PHP version for your site, like the most recent version, ensuring it meets your site’s needs.

4. Testing and Monitoring Post-Upgrade

After installing the most recent version of PHP, like PHP 8.2, you need to test your WordPress site. Ensure that all of your plugins and themes work correctly and that there are no ongoing compatibility problems. Use error detection tools to find and fix any issues with the new PHP version.

Post-upgrade maintenance includes:

• Ensuring site stability.
• Testing plugins and themes for compatibility.
• Regularly monitoring performance to maximize the benefits of the latest PHP version.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips

WordPress often has problems with plugin clashes, old PHP versions, or memory limits. You can fix the problem by turning off plugins, updating WordPress and PHP, or making wp-config.php use more memory. For extra help, look at the problem logs or contact the hosting company.

→ Common Problems

• Deprecated Functions: Some functions in older plugins may never again work after moving up to the most recent PHP version. This could prevent your WordPress site from working with the latest PHP version if you use older themes or plugins that have not been updated. 
• Plugin Errors: Issues with outdated plugins are expected while updating the PHP version. Some older plugins, particularly those made for PHP 5.6 or PHP 7.x, won’t work with the most current renditions of PHP, such as PHP 8.0 or 8.1, which could lead to mix-ups or issues with your WordPress site.

→ Troubleshooting Steps

• Revert to a Previous PHP Version: If you update your PHP version and then get serious errors, you can temporarily go back to an older version (like PHP 7.4) through the control panel of your hosting service. This lets you figure out what’s wrong and ensure it works with your WordPress site before upgrading. 
• Update Outdated Plugins and Themes: Make sure you regularly update your WordPress theme and any outdated plugins to avoid mistakes caused by old plugins. This keeps them compatible with newer versions of PHP, making your WordPress site faster and safer and preventing problems when you update PHP.

Conclusion:

Updating your PHP version is crucial for improving your WordPress site’s speed, security, and compatibility with modern tools. If you update the latest form of PHP, such as PHP 8.1 or 8.2, your WordPress site will run at lightning-quick velocities and back the latest plugins and themes.

Some PHP versions, such as PHP 5.6 and PHP 7.4, might not have active support anymore. This means your site could be at risk of security problems and won’t work with other programs.

Work with your hosting company to make sure the upgrade goes smoothly. Using tools like WP Security Ninja, you can find and fix problems with how your themes and plugins work together before you install the update. Regular updates to your WordPress site’s PHP version are best practices and follow what WordPress authors say should be done.

Upgrade to the latest PHP version today to ensure your WordPress site is secure, fast, and future-ready. Updating your PHP version keeps you safe, efficient, and ready for the future.