Drupal from 7 to 10: why migration is essential

2024 09 10 · 8 min read

66% of websites are still running on outdated versions of Drupal. This open-source content management system has been a cornerstone of web development for over two decades and continues to be a preferred choice for organisations worldwide.   

However, with each major release, older Drupal versions gradually lose support from creators, making websites outdated and increasingly vulnerable to security risks and compliance issues. Drupal 9 support ended on November 1, 2023. Drupal 8 support ended on November 2, 2021, and Drupal 7 will no longer be supported after January 25, 2025.   

If your website still runs one of these versions, it is crucial to upgrade to Drupal 10. Businesses have already done only one-third of all websites.  Recognising the benefits of the new version of Drupal, companies are migrating to it not only from older versions of Drupal but also from other web development platforms like WordPress and others.  

In this blog post, we outline the importance of upgrading, the benefits of migration, the risks of staying on outdated versions, and the steps to ensure a secure and smooth transition. 

Quick overview of Drupal versions

Drupal 7

Released on January 5, 2011, Drupal 7 quickly became one of the most successful and widely recognised versions among developers and website owners. In 2015, a record number of websites used this version – over one million. Renowned for its flexibility, functionality, and user-friendly design, Drupal 7 introduced significant improvements over Drupal 6, including enhanced usability, modern themes, and many popular features from the Content Construction Kit (CCK). 

On 5 January 2025, Drupal 7 will reach end-of-life (EOL), which marks the point when a version no longer gets support from its developers, and users must decide whether to upgrade to the Drupal 10 version or to continue with the outdated version, knowing that: 

Drupal 8 

Each new version of Drupal introduces enhanced functionality, and Drupal 8 was no exception, it is: 

This combination enhanced code reusability and maintainability and significantly strengthened Drupal 8’s backend, resulting in improved performance and more efficient page caching. However, on November 17, 2021, the Drupal core version 8 series reached EOL, requiring users to upgrade to Drupal 9 or 10. 

Drupal 9  

Drupal 9 was released in June 2020 and is considered an incremental update from 

Drupal 8. Unlike previous significant releases that required a time-consuming and 

complex migration, upgrading from Drupal 8 to Drupal 9 was relatively seamless. 

The best way to be ready for Drupal 9 was to keep up with Drupal 8 updates, avoid using deprecated modules and APIs, as these deprecated components were removed in Drupal 9 to ensure a clean and optimised codebase, and use the latest versions of dependencies where possible.  

It is recommended that you upgrade to the latest Drupal 9 release before moving to Drupal 10. This is because Drupal 9 serves as a bridge for the deprecated APIs and functionalities to be removed in Drupal 10. Upgrading to a supported version is essential for maintaining security, accessing new features, and ensuring performance.  

Drupal 10  

Released on December 14, 2022, Drupal 10 brings a suite of modern features and performance enhancements, making it a highly user-friendly platform for both seasoned developers and newcomers alike.  

This latest version introduces the visually striking Olivero and the streamlined Claro themes, CKEditor 5, JavaScript components, Theme Starterkit, Symfony 6, and other advanced tools. All these updates will help simplify support, increase site performance, and improve interaction with the platform for developers and non-technical users alike. 

What are the security risks of staying on outdated versions?  

As outdated Drupal 7 or 8 versions no longer receive official security updates, leaving any new vulnerabilities unaddressed by the Drupal community, websites running on these versions are increasingly at risk of attacks, which could lead to data breaches, information leaks, and other serious security issues. 

Security patches are vital for protecting websites from attacks by fixing vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. This is particularly important for protecting sensitive user data, maintaining the website’s integrity, and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. 

The world will probably always remember the Panama Papers case, in which outdated Drupal and WordPress caused a massive leak of sensitive data. This was the cost of ignoring basic security. The findings showed that WordPress was three months outdated, and Drupal was almost two years outdated. 

Performance enhancements across Drupal versions 

While upgrading from versions 8 or 9 is relatively straightforward, with less dramatic changes, the leap from Drupal 7 to 10 is significant. Among its advantages, Drupal 10 offers notable improvements, such as enhanced response times and more efficient caching. 

The improved caching mechanisms store frequently accessed data more efficiently, reducing the need for repeated server requests. This means the server can handle more users simultaneously with less strain, leading to quicker page load times. These improvements result in a smoother user experience. 

Faster loading times and a more responsive website improve search engine rankings, making it more visible to potential users. Finally, better performance directly impacts SEO rankings and overall user satisfaction. Now you see how prioritising the upgrade to Drupal 10 will help secure the website’s long-term success. 

New features and capabilities in Drupal 10 

Drupal 10 introduces CKEditor 5, a powerful new content editor that streamlines front-end development, making it easy to manage tables and media. With its advanced text formatting features, you can style content exactly as you want. Most CKEditor modules have been updated to work seamlessly with this new version. 

Drupal’s API-first approach unlocks its power and flexibility across all systems, allowing you to integrate, display, and use your content anywhere. By leveraging HTTP APIs, Drupal can now support everything from backend systems in Python, PHP, Java, or Go to cutting-edge front-end experiences built with frameworks like React, Vue, and Ember. If it communicates via HTTP, it can work seamlessly with Drupal. 

Drupal 10 is a game-changer for global enterprises with its advanced multilingual support, offering streamlined translation management, smarter language detection, and improved support for right-to-left languages. Additionally, Drupal 10 enhances accessibility, making websites more user-friendly for individuals with disabilities. 

Difficult and time-consuming updates are a relic of the past, long live the new Automatic Updates module that allows users to update Drupal core simply by clicking a few buttons. In Drupal 10, Composer has the role of managing dependencies, ensuring compatibility, and streamlining software updates. It handles package versions, offers seamless autoloading, and simplifies maintenance, making it crucial for large Drupal applications. 

Simplified upgrade path 

Migrating from Drupal 7 to newer versions is challenging because its code base differs significantly from Drupal 8, 9, and 10. When Drupal 8 was developed, the internal system was completely overhauled with the integration of Symfony components, aligning future CMS releases with the Symfony framework updates. 

For a smoother migration process, it is useful to have the right tools, such as Migrate Vizard. This module offers a user-friendly solution for seamless content migration from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10. Features like customisable field mapping, a simple admin interface, and support for various content types make the migration process smooth and efficient. 

The cost of not migrating 

Relying on outdated software can have profound and far-reaching impacts on your business, affecting everything from operational efficiency to security and competitive positioning. 

By now, you have probably realised that the question of whether or not to migrate should no longer arise here. Not upgrading from Drupal 7, 8, or 9 to Drupal 10 leaves your website vulnerable to security risks and compliance issues while also missing out on the latest features, enhancements, improvements, and support needed to create standout websites and applications in today’s competitive market.  

Start planning your migration to Drupal 10 today. Explore our solutions for your website or CMS, and get expert guidance for your smooth Drupal migration. Book a consultation with our team!