Drupal 11 is now officially here, and it marks more than just another major version release. For organisations already using Drupal, and for those ready to make the leap, this release signals a real shift in how content can be managed, delivered and scaled. With built-in support for personalisation, automation and AI-powered tools, Drupal 11 gives teams more control without adding complexity. From streamlining editorial workflows to serving more tailored experiences, it’s a practical step forward for any organisation that wants their platform to evolve as their needs grow.
For anyone already using Drupal, this upgrade is a chance to refresh and future proof your website. For those on other platforms, it’s the right time to think about what your CMS should be doing for you and why so many teams are switching to Drupal 11.
We’ve spent decades helping organisations across higher education, healthcare, non-profits and enterprise make the most of Drupal. From full migrations and redesigns to complex multi-site builds, we know what it takes to plan and deliver upgrades that perform for the long term. Based on that experience, here’s what you need to know about Drupal 11, what’s new, and why it might be the right time to plan your next upgrade.
If you’re already using Drupal
If your website runs on Drupal 7, 8, 9 or 10, Drupal 11 is a smart upgrade. It’s faster, more capable and ready for what’s next in digital. With Drupal 10 reaching end of life in December 2026, upgrading now keeps your site secure and supported without the stress of a rushed migration.
You’ll notice faster load times, better caching and an improved experience for both visitors and editors. The refreshed admin interface and CKEditor 5 make content creation quicker and more intuitive, helping your team work efficiently.
Drupal 11 is also built for the future. It connects easily with AI, automation and personalisation tools that are transforming how websites are managed. Upgrading now keeps your platform ready for new opportunities and avoids the cost and complexity of skipping versions later.
If you’re considering switching to Drupal
If you’re thinking about moving from another CMS, Drupal 11 is an ideal place to start. It’s flexible, powerful and designed for long-term growth. As an open-source platform, it gives you full control and freedom from licence fees or vendor lock-in.
Drupal 11 connects easily with CRMs, APIs and third-party tools, so your systems work together instead of in isolation. It can support everything from a single marketing site to a large multi-site network with ease.
This version is also ready for the future. Its modern architecture supports AI and automation tools that personalise content, streamline workflows and improve efficiency. Drupal 11 gives you a secure, adaptable foundation that will keep evolving with your organisation’s needs.
What’s new in Drupal 11?
Drupal 11 introduces updates that make it faster to build, easier to manage and better connected to modern digital tools. These improvements help organisations work more efficiently, give content teams more freedom and prepare websites for the next generation of online experiences.
Here are the standout changes:
1. Empower your teams with Project Browser
Site managers can now browse and install modules directly from the admin interface without needing developer input. It’s a more accessible and efficient way to extend your site’s capabilities, removing a long-standing barrier to entry for non-technical users.
It makes Drupal feel more approachable, particularly for teams without in-house developers.
2. Simplify site creation with Recipes
These reusable configuration bundles make it quick to set up common features and keep multiple sites consistent. They save time while giving developers flexibility to tailor builds to each organisation.
3. Unlock your editors’ creativity with CKEditor 5
The new content editor offers a cleaner interface, improved media handling and smoother collaboration, helping teams produce and update content with confidence and speed.
4. Symfony 6.3 and modern PHP support
Under the hood, Drupal 11 runs on Symfony 6.3 and supports PHP 8.3, ensuring that the platform stays secure, fast, and future-ready. These updates not only improve performance but also streamline development and testing processes.
AI and the future of Drupal
One of the most exciting aspects of Drupal 11 isn’t a specific feature, it’s the way it prepares the CMS for deeper integration with AI and machine learning.
We’re already seeing increased demand for:
- Smart content recommendations based on user behaviour
- AI-generated content editing and translation tools
- Automated accessibility and SEO auditing
- Enhanced personalisation using predictive models
Drupal 11’s modern architecture and growing ecosystem of AI-ready modules make it an ideal foundation for these advanced features. And for teams that are exploring personalisation or AI-assisted publishing, Drupal 11 provides an ideal foundation. Its open-source ecosystem means you can experiment and innovate without being tied to specific vendors or platforms. Drupal 11 is a natural fit.
How we support Drupal 11 upgrades
Upgrading to Drupal 11 is now more predictable than ever. The platform’s maturity means upgrades are easier to plan, less disruptive and deliver measurable improvements in performance, security and usability.
Here’s how we’ll approach your upgrade:
- Audit and discovery: Every project starts with a readiness audit. We review your modules, hosting and custom code to identify what’s ready for Drupal 11 and what may need updating.
- Planning and costing: We map the upgrade process, outline key milestones and agree a delivery schedule that fits your organisation’s priorities. This gives you a clear picture of effort, cost and timeline before any work begins. Many clients choose to begin preparatory work early to spread costs and stay ahead of Drupal 10’s end of life in 2026
- Content and configuration updates: We manage data structures, multilingual setups and integrations so they continue to work seamlessly in Drupal 11.
- Module mapping and custom code updates: We replace deprecated features with modern equivalents or custom builds.
- Testing and deployment: Every migration includes rigorous testing and a safe release process to avoid downtime.
We also provide ongoing support, hosting, and development through our Drupal support packages, giving you long-term peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions about Drupal 11
Will there be any downtime?
Very little, and if possible, we’ll avoid it altogether. Most of the upgrade work happens in a secure staging environment, and we schedule the final deployment to prevent disruption.
How long will it take?
That depends on your site’s size and complexity, but most Drupal 11 upgrades take between a few days and a few weeks from planning to launch.
Can we prepare in advance?
Yes. We can audit your site now and start early updates to spread the cost and avoid any last-minute rush before Drupal 10’s end of life in 2026.
What involvement do you need from me?
Your team will test the upgraded site in staging to confirm that everything looks and works as expected before launch. We’ll guide you through that process.
Will everything look and work the same after upgrading?
Your site will work exactly as expected, with the added benefits of faster performance, better usability and stronger compatibility with modern tools.
What happens if the upgrade is delayed?
If your upgrade isn’t completed before Drupal 10 reaches end of life in December 2026, your site may no longer receive security updates. We’ll help you plan early to avoid that risk.
Do you offer ongoing support?
Yes. Our Drupal support packages include proactive maintenance, security monitoring and continuous optimisation to keep your site performing at its best.
Thinking about migrating to Drupal 11?
Drupal 11 is more than a version upgrade; it's a step toward a future-ready CMS that’s faster, more maintainable, and better aligned with emerging digital strategies.
If you're responsible for a large-scale website and want to know how Drupal 11 could support your goals in accessibility, automation, content management or SEO, we can help. Whether you’re upgrading from Drupal 7, 9 or 10, our team can guide you through every step.
Let’s start with a no-obligation conversation about your Drupal roadmap.
👉 Get in touch with our friendly team of Drupal specialists today.