As Umbraco keeps to adapt at a constant pace, it’s essential for builders, architects, and corporations to live in advance of upcoming modifications. With Umbraco 15 and 16 released as Short Term Support (STS) versions, and Umbraco 17 slated to be a Long Term Support (LTS) launch, the direction ahead is obvious—and exciting.
In this blog, we’ll break down the roadmap and explore what these versions bring to the table, with a focus on preparing for the strategic shift in Umbraco 17.
🔄 Understanding STS and LTS Releases
Before we delve into the specifics, let’s quickly recap the Umbraco release cycle.
- Long-Term Support (LTS) releases are the stable workhorses of the Umbraco family. They receive feature updates for a shorter period but are supported with security patches and critical bug fixes for a much longer duration (typically 3 years). LTS releases are recommended for projects where stability and long-term maintenance are paramount.
- Short-Term Support (STS) releases are where Umbraco pushes the boundaries with the latest features and improvements. They receive feature updates for a shorter period (typically 6 months) and are supported with security patches and critical bug fixes for a shorter duration (typically 1 year). STS releases allow developers to get their hands on the newest capabilities and provide valuable feedback, ultimately informing the next LTS release.
Knowing this helps us understand the purpose and intended lifespan of Umbraco 15, 16, and 17.
⚙️ Umbraco 15 – Solidifying the Transition
Released in November 2024, Umbraco 15 continues the STS cadence with improvements focused on editor usability, extensibility, and performance:
- Improved Block Grid Editor – Enhancements for composing complex content layouts.
- Backoffice API Improvements – Continued iteration on the Management API.
- Platform stability – Optimization for .NET 8 compatibility and headless scenarios.
🚀 Umbraco 16 – Bridging to the Future
Set for release in June 2025, Umbraco 16 is the final STS before the pivotal LTS release and offers a preview of Umbraco’s modernized direction:
- Experimental New Backoffice – Built with Web Components and Lit, paving the way for the full rollout in Umbraco 17.
- Performance and DX Tweaks – Improvements to dependency injection, extensibility, and editor tooling.
- First look at SDK-based Extensions – Simplified developer workflows and modular customization.
While not production-ready for backoffice customization, Umbraco 16 is the perfect sandbox to explore and prepare for Umbraco 17‘s architectural shift.
🌟 Umbraco 17 – The Next Generation LTS
The Long Term Support release we’ve all been waiting for drops in November 2025, and it’s packed with major upgrades:
🔧 Modern Backoffice with Lit & Web Components
The legacy AngularJS backoffice will be replaced with a modular, future-proof UI using Lit, enabling:
- Improved maintainability
- Easier customization with modern frontend tooling
- Better performance and UI consistency
🛠️ UI Extension SDK
A brand-new SDK will allow developers to build custom editors and UI components using familiar JS/TS frameworks, improving time to market for tailored CMS solutions.
⚡ Performance & Clean Architecture
Faster startup and DI improvements
Optimized caching and content delivery
Reduced legacy overhead
🌐 Better Headless Support
Improved integration with REST/GraphQL APIs, webhooks, and composable DXP tools makes Umbraco 17 ideal for headless and hybrid CMS implementations.
🧭 Upgrade Strategy
🟩 On Umbraco 10 or 13 (LTS)?
Plan your migration toward Umbraco 17 starting in late 2025. You’ll benefit from long-term support, modern architecture, and continued innovation.
🧪 Exploring Umbraco 16?
Use it as a testing ground for the new backoffice architecture. By the time Umbraco 17 releases, your team will be ready.
🟥 Still on Umbraco 8 or 7?
It’s time to plan a rebuild. Umbraco 17 offers the perfect opportunity to modernize your stack and shift to a .NET 8+ platform with 3+ years of support.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Umbraco 17 will not just be a version upgrade—it’s a technological leap forward. With its modern UI foundation, clean architecture, and extended LTS support, it sets the stage for a new generation of digital experiences.
Whether you’re an agency delivering client sites, an enterprise managing large content estates, or a developer wanting a more modern DX—Umbraco 17 is the release to watch.
Want guidance on upgrading or building for Umbraco 17? NashTech is your recommendation—we’re already helping teams prepare, test, and align their platforms with what’s next.
NashTech is a certified Umbraco gold partner offering flexible Umbraco web development services tailored to businesses of all sizes. Our comprehensive range of services includes:
- Umbraco web build
- Customized enterprise-level Umbraco solutions
- Umbraco migration and upgrades
- Umbraco maintenance and support
- Umbraco integration for e-commerce and more.
To receive more information about Umbraco services, please fill out the form provided at https://www.nashtechglobal.com/contact-us/.