EE2 to EE7

Upgrade ExpressionEngine 2 to EE7

We upgrade ExpressionEngine 2 sites straight to the latest EE7 in one step: moving your files into the modern structure, replacing abandoned add-ons and fixing code for PHP 8. Your content and URLs stay the same. Fixed price, typically $2,000–$6,000, and two to four weeks from audit to launch.

By Arjun Kumar · Last updated

Book a free audit All ExpressionEngine services
Fiverr5.0 average from 89 reviewsClutch5.0 rating from 1 verified review

Why EE2 sites can't wait

ExpressionEngine 2 reached end of life on 30 April 2017. It was written for PHP 5, and it can't run on any PHP version that still gets security fixes. Many EE2 sites survive on old servers kept back just for them, and those servers are now the riskiest part of the business. The October 2026 PHP security alert shows why that's not a safe place to be.

One jump, not five

Since EE 5.4, the updater can take an EE2 site directly to the current version. You don't install EE3, EE4 and EE5 in turn. The work that matters is:

  • The new folder structure: your config, templates, language files and add-ons move into system/user/, and themes into themes/user/.
  • Add-ons: EE2-era field types and modules need updates or replacements. Matrix usually becomes native Grid, Playa becomes Relationships.
  • PHP 8: any PHP in templates, plus custom add-ons, must run on PHP 8.2+.

Our legacy upgrade guide walks through each of these in detail.

What stays the same

Channels, entries, categories, members, template groups and URLs are upgraded in place. Visitors and search engines see the same site at the same addresses. Content stored by an abandoned add-on is the one exception, and we plan its move during the audit.

How it works

  1. 1

    Audit

    EE version, every add-on, PHP in templates, hosting. You get a fixed quote and a list of what will change.

  2. 2

    Staging on modern PHP

    A copy of the site on PHP 8.2 or 8.3 with its own database.

  3. 3

    Restructure and update

    Files moved into system/user/, then the updater run straight to EE7.

  4. 4

    Replace add-ons

    Updated, swapped for native fields, or rebuilt, with content migrated.

  5. 5

    Test with your editors

    Every template, form and channel checked, including by the people who use the control panel.

  6. 6

    Launch

    On upgraded or new hosting, in a quiet window, with the old site kept as a backup.

What clients say

Quoted word for word from our public Fiverr and Clutch profiles.

"This was the third time we engaged with Arjun. We needed help transferring an ExpressionEngine website to a subdomain and a new host. Challenges included backing up a relatively large site; troubleshooting some issues with ExpressionEngine, css and php; and then performing QA on the new site. The project took longer than expected, but Arjun was responsive and professional throughout the process. It was a pleasure working with him and we would work with him again in the future."
fe
festivalfreak
United States · ExpressionEngine hosting migration · Fiverr review
"Arjun was great! Professional, thorough, and effective. He was able to troubleshoot our Expression Engine website's slow loading time and to get it loading much more quickly. We plan on working with him again in the future."
fe
festivalfreak
United States · ExpressionEngine performance fix · Fiverr review
"It was very easy to communicate and get things done promptly. I would recommend Arjun to anyone looking for help with ExpressionEngine-related issues."
mu
musicquizking
United States · Fiverr review
"Rahul, has been producing great work for me, I highly recommend him for all your Expression Engine needs."
se
seancampbell504
South Africa · Fiverr review

Questions

Can EE2 really go straight to EE7?

Yes. Since EE 5.4 the updater supports upgrading from EE2 directly to the current version.

Will I lose content?

No. Core content is upgraded in place. Content held by abandoned add-ons is moved to its replacement as part of the project, and we check it with you before launch.

Is it cheaper to rebuild?

Sometimes, if most add-ons are abandoned and the site needs a redesign anyway. We'll quote both if it's close. See ExpressionEngine vs WordPress.

How long does it take?

Usually two to four weeks from audit to launch, depending on the number of add-ons that need replacing.

Will EE8 need another big upgrade?

No. The EE team says sites on EE 2.0.0 or newer can upgrade directly to EE8, and that EE6 to EE8 has no known breaking changes. Once you're on EE7, EE8 is a small step.

Related