Released on 25 June 2026, the latest major version of the popular open-source CMS introduces some interesting improvements, particularly for content editors and developers working with reusable content. But while a new major release is always exciting, it doesn't necessarily mean you should rush to upgrade. For businesses already running Umbraco 17, there's a strong argument for staying exactly where you are, at least for now.
Let's explore what's new in Umbraco 18, what these changes mean for your website, and why waiting for the next Long-Term Support (LTS) release could be the smarter decision.
What's New in Umbraco 18?
As highlighted in the official Umbraco 18 release announcement, this latest version is a relatively focused release, introducing the foundations for a more flexible approach to managing reusable content.
Its biggest addition is a new Library section, alongside a feature called Elements.
1. Introducing the New Library
One of the most notable additions in Umbraco 18 is the Library, a dedicated area within the Umbraco backoffice for managing reusable content. Traditionally, developers have often created their own solutions for content that needs to appear in multiple places across a website. For example, a business might have a promotional message, contact information or call-to-action that appears on several different pages.
Previously, managing this content often involved creating special folders or content nodes within the existing content tree. Umbraco 18 introduces a more structured approach. The new Library provides a dedicated location for managing content that doesn't need its own webpage or URL. As explained in Umbraco's introduction to the Library, this makes reusable content a native part of the CMS, rather than something developers need to implement independently for each project.
2. Reusable Content with Elements
Alongside the Library, Umbraco 18 introduces Elements as independently managed content items. Elements build on the existing concept of Element Types, which developers may already be familiar with from Umbraco's Block List and Block Grid editors. The difference is that Elements can now exist independently within the Library, rather than only being defined as part of a block. Editors can create, manage and publish these Elements, then select them elsewhere using the new Element Picker. This creates opportunities for more consistent content management, particularly on websites where similar information appears across multiple pages.
However, there's an important limitation.
Umbraco 18 lays the groundwork for reusable content, but it doesn't yet deliver the complete experience of reusing Library Elements directly within Block List and Block Grid editors. According to Umbraco's official release roadmap, that functionality is planned for Umbraco 19. For businesses hoping to create a content block once, place it across multiple pages and update every instance from a single location, the full benefits are still on the horizon.
3. Developer and Performance Improvements
Although the Library and Elements are the headline features, Umbraco 18 also includes a range of technical improvements. These include:
Delivery API improvements: More strongly typed OpenAPI schemas to improve integration with external systems and headless applications.
Updated API tooling: A move away from Swashbuckle towards Microsoft's built-in ASP.NET Core OpenAPI functionality.
Performance enhancements: Improvements carried forward from recent Umbraco 17 updates, including configurable output caching.
Backoffice refinements: Continued improvements to the content editing experience.
Additional platform capabilities: Improvements relating to AI integration, deployment flexibility and member management.
For a more detailed technical breakdown, Umbraco has published an Umbraco 18 Release Candidate article covering the developer-facing changes and additional functionality. It's worth noting that many of these improvements are also available through Umbraco 17 minor releases. This means businesses don't necessarily need to upgrade to version 18 to benefit from ongoing improvements to the platform.
Should You Upgrade from Umbraco 17 to Umbraco 18?
For most businesses currently running Umbraco 17, our recommendation would be to hold off upgrading unless there's a specific feature in Umbraco 18 that you need. That's not because Umbraco 18 is a bad release. Far from it. It's because of the way Umbraco manages its release and support cycles.
Understanding LTS vs STS Releases
Umbraco releases new major versions approximately every six months, but not every version receives the same length of support. According to Umbraco's official versioning and release cadence, there are two main release types:
Long-Term Support (LTS)
LTS versions are designed for businesses that prioritise stability, security and long-term maintainability. They receive a longer support lifecycle, making them particularly suitable for established business websites and applications.
Standard-Term Support (STS)
STS versions provide access to newer features sooner, but have a significantly shorter support lifecycle. They're useful for businesses and development teams that want to adopt new functionality quickly and are comfortable upgrading more frequently.
Umbraco 17 is an LTS release.
Umbraco 18 is an STS release.
And that distinction is important when deciding whether to upgrade.
1. Umbraco 17 Has a Much Longer Support Lifecycle
One of the strongest reasons to remain on Umbraco 17 is its extended support period. According to Umbraco's published Long-Term Support and End-of-Life schedule:
Version | Release Type | End of Support |
|---|---|---|
Umbraco 17 | LTS | November 2028 |
Umbraco 18 | STS | June 2027 |
Umbraco 19 | STS | December 2027 |
Umbraco 21 | LTS | December 2030 |
In other words, Umbraco 17 will remain supported for considerably longer than Umbraco 18. Moving from version 17 to version 18 therefore means switching to a release with a much shorter remaining support window. For businesses that value predictable maintenance and long-term stability, that may offer little practical advantage.
2. Upgrading Takes Time and Resources
Even when an Umbraco upgrade is relatively straightforward, it still requires planning, development and testing. Depending on the complexity of your website, an upgrade may involve:
Checking compatibility with third-party packages and integrations.
Reviewing custom functionality for breaking changes.
Testing templates, components and content editing workflows.
Validating performance, security and deployment processes.
Carrying out regression testing before releasing the updated website.
As Umbraco explains in its upgrade guidance, the complexity of an upgrade depends on the breaking changes introduced and whether your website relies on affected functionality or third-party packages. All of this requires time and potentially additional budget. If your website is already performing well on Umbraco 17, it's worth asking whether the benefits of moving to version 18 justify that investment. For many businesses, the answer may be no.
3. Some of the Most Exciting Functionality Is Still Coming
The new Library and Elements functionality is a promising step forward, but it's also the beginning of a wider development roadmap. In particular, the ability to integrate reusable Elements directly into Umbraco's block editors is planned for version 19. Umbraco itself acknowledges in its version 18 announcement that the new functionality is a foundation for more advanced content reuse in future releases. That means businesses upgrading specifically for reusable content may find themselves needing another upgrade to take full advantage of the functionality they're interested in. Waiting allows these capabilities to develop further before committing to a major platform change.
4. Staying on Umbraco 17 Doesn't Mean Standing Still
It's easy to assume that staying on an older major version means missing out on improvements. Fortunately, that isn't necessarily the case with Umbraco 17. As an LTS release, Umbraco 17 continues to receive maintenance, security updates and improvements throughout its supported lifecycle. In fact, the official Umbraco 18 release announcement specifically highlights that Umbraco 17 remains a recommended version for businesses and that many recent improvements are available through version 17 minor updates. For businesses already on Umbraco 17, this provides an opportunity to continue improving their websites without immediately moving to another major version.
When Does Upgrading to Umbraco 18 Make Sense?
There are still situations where upgrading to Umbraco 18 could be the right decision. For example, if your website would immediately benefit from the new Library and Element Picker functionality, the upgrade may be worthwhile. Similarly, development teams building new solutions or experimenting with emerging Umbraco features may prefer to adopt the latest version sooner. The important thing is to have a clear reason for upgrading, rather than upgrading simply because a newer version is available.
So, When Should You Upgrade?
For businesses currently running Umbraco 17, we'd generally recommend continuing with the LTS release and planning ahead for the next appropriate upgrade. According to Umbraco's official release schedule, the next LTS version, Umbraco 21, is currently scheduled for December 2027. By that point, the reusable content functionality introduced in Umbraco 18 will have had more time to develop and mature, alongside other platform improvements. That doesn't mean every business needs to wait until Umbraco 21. Your requirements, integrations and development roadmap should ultimately determine the best time to upgrade. However, for organisations that prioritise stability, predictable maintenance costs and long-term support, following the LTS release cycle is often a sensible strategy.
Final Thoughts
Umbraco 18 is a positive step forward for the platform. The introduction of the Library and Elements provides a foundation for more flexible, reusable content management, while ongoing technical improvements continue to strengthen the CMS. But the latest version isn't automatically the best version for every website. If you're already running Umbraco 17, you're on a modern, actively supported LTS release with years of support remaining. Unless you have an immediate need for Umbraco 18's new functionality, there's a strong case for staying on version 17, keeping it updated and planning your next major upgrade strategically.
Ultimately, a successful website isn't about running the newest version of your CMS. It's about running the right version for your business.