What is the difference between STS and LTS in Umbraco – and which should you choose?
If you use Umbraco as your CMS, you are probably already familiar with versions and updates. These are of great importance for both operational reliability, functionality and security.
Updates to Umbraco are released in STS (Standard-Term Support, also known as Short-Term Support) and LTS (Long-Term Support) versions, each with its own strengths and purposes. STS versions are released more frequently and include the latest features and technologies, but require ongoing maintenance and updating of the solution. LTS versions are released less frequently, but are more stable and supported for a longer period of time, making them ideal for projects requiring high reliability and minimal technical debt.
In the following, we will review what the difference means in practice and how you can choose the strategy that best suits your solution.
Why even consider versions and updates?
Updating Umbraco is not just about getting access to the latest features. It is also very much about ensuring stable and secure operation. If your Umbraco solution uses an outdated version, you will lose access to both security updates and support, and this can have serious consequences for the performance and reliability of your website.
Keeping your Umbraco solution up to date will provide you with increased security, performance, and compatibility with modern technologies. Outdated Umbraco versions will not receive security updates and may therefore become vulnerable to attacks. In addition, compatibility with new technologies also ensures improved speed, scalability, and code efficiency.
Maintaining your website will also be easier if you regularly upgrade to newer versions. Upgrading from very old versions can often be more expensive and time-consuming, as well as resource-intensive.
It therefore also makes sense to actively consider which version you choose and what your update strategy should be.
What is the difference between STS and LTS in Umbraco?
As a rule, Umbraco releases 2 new versions per year. Approximately every fourth version is an LTL version.:
- STS
(Standard-Term Support)
These versions are released approximately every 6 months and are supported for approximately 9 months plus an additional 3 months of security-only updates. Updates in the support phase typically contain the latest features and improvements and provide access to the latest technologies. - LTS
(Long-Term Support)
These versions are released approximately every two years and are supported for at least 24 months. In addition, LTL versions typically receive security updates for an additional 12 months. The focus of these types of releases is stability and long-term operation.
Pros and Cons of STS Versions
STS versions are designed for those who want access to the latest and are ready to maintain their solution more actively. They are well suited for projects where you want to experiment and quickly adopt new features.
Pros
- Access to new functionality and improvements first.
- Modern development patterns and technologies.
- Suitable for testing and innovation.
Cons
- Requires more frequent updates and more active maintenance.
- Short support period can cause technical pressure after 6 months.
- Not all packages are up to date or compatible with STS versions from day 1.
Umbraco STS versions are typically a good choice for
STS versions are especially aimed at companies that prioritize innovation and want to be among the first to adopt new Umbraco features. This applies to digital agencies, tech startups, or organizations with strong development teams that work with CI/CD processes and can handle more frequent updates.
Even projects with a shorter lifespan, such as campaign pages or solutions that still need to be updated again within a year, can benefit from STS, as you quickly get access to the latest functionality without necessarily having to commit to long-term support.
Pros and Cons of LTS Versions
LTS releases are ideal for businesses that value stability, predictability, and minimal maintenance. They provide peace of mind in the form of a long support period and operational reliability.
Pros
- Long support period – security for 2+ years.
- High stability and maturity.
- Suitable for long-term digital platforms.
Cons
- Risk of missing out on new functionality for a period of time.
- Risk of technological lag if forward planning is not done.
Umbraco LTS versions are typically a good choice for
LTS versions are ideal for organizations and companies that need high stability, a long support period and minimal maintenance. These can be public institutions, municipalities or companies with compliance requirements, where the solution must function stably for many years without frequent upgrades.
This also applies to companies that do not have an internal development team and therefore want a more stable and predictable operation without ongoing technical adaptation.
Is STS or LTS the right choice for you?
At itpilot, we usually recommend LTS versions for the vast majority of companies. This provides security, operational stability and better predictability in maintenance.
If you are in doubt whether to choose STS or LTS versions, you can ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you want to use the latest Umbraco features?
- Do you have internal developers and CI/CD?
… then STS may be the obvious choice for you.
- Do you have compliance requirements for stable operation?
- Does your solution need to last 3+ years?
- Do you want to avoid frequent upgrades?
...then an LTS will typically be the best choice for you.
If you have any doubts, please reach out to us. We always evaluate version and strategy in collaboration with our customers, based on their technical setup, business goals and operational situation.
Should we help you upgrade your Umbraco solution?
Does your Umbraco solution need to be upgraded, or are you unsure which version is right for you? At itpilot, we are happy to help you get an overview of your current setup, assess which packages and integrations are in play, and create a realistic plan for the upgrade, tailored to your resources and goals.
We always advise based on your business needs and technical situation, so you get a solution that is both future-proof and stable.
Contact us today to learn more about your options. Call us on +45 87 25 07 87 or fill out the contact form.
