EE3, EE4, EE5 to EE7

Upgrade ExpressionEngine 3, 4 or 5 to EE7

We upgrade ExpressionEngine 3, 4 and 5 sites to the latest EE7 so they can run on PHP 8.2 and get security fixes again. Your files are already in the modern structure, so most of the work is add-ons and testing. Fixed price, usually $2,000–$4,000, and one to two weeks.

By Arjun Kumar · Last updated

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Fiverr5.0 average from 89 reviewsClutch5.0 rating from 1 verified review

Where EE3, EE4 and EE5 stand

From the official version support table:

  • EE3: security fixes ended 14 December 2018.
  • EE4: security fixes ended 16 November 2019.
  • EE5: security fixes ended 31 December 2021.

None of them support PHP 8.2, the oldest PHP branch that still gets security fixes. So the site and the server it needs are both unpatched.

Why it's a smaller job than EE2

EE3 introduced the system/user/ folder structure, and EE4 and EE5 kept it. That means no restructure: the updater runs on your existing install. The effort goes into:

  • Add-ons: checking each for an EE7 release. Most popular ones have one.
  • The EE4 control panel change: EE3 add-ons that build control-panel screens may need updates.
  • PHP 8: custom extensions and any PHP in templates.

For older EE2 sites, see Upgrade ExpressionEngine 2 to EE7.

How it works

  1. 1

    Free audit

    Version, add-ons and PHP check, with a fixed quote.

  2. 2

    Staging copy

    Own database and system folder, on the target PHP version.

  3. 3

    Update add-ons

    Download EE7 releases, replace or patch the rest.

  4. 4

    Run the EE7 update

    From the command line on large sites, so nothing times out.

  5. 5

    Test

    Every template, form and channel; error log checked.

  6. 6

    Go live

    Quiet window, fresh backup, error log watched after launch.

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."
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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."
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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

Do I need to go to EE6 first?

No. The updater takes EE3, EE4 or EE5 straight to the current EE7 release.

Is an EE5 site safe to leave as it is?

Not really. EE5 security fixes ended on 31 December 2021, and it can't run on a currently supported PHP version.

How long will my site be offline?

Usually under an hour on launch day. All the real work happens on staging first.

Do my add-on licences carry over?

Free add-ons, yes. Paid add-ons sometimes need a new licence for a new major version. We list any costs in the quote.

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