Drupal 11 is here! And after spending some time exploring its new features, we’re writing this blog to discuss its production readiness and whether you should be upgrading. With improved CKEditor integration, performance boosts, a redesigned Field UI, and updated taxonomy term revisions, this version builds on the success of Drupal 10. Drupal 11 introduces new tools and workflows designed to simplify development, improve performance, and streamline content management—making it easier than ever to create and maintain high-quality digital experiences.

Key Reasons to Start Your Drupal 11 Upgrade Project

Core Updates and Future-Ready Framework

Symfony 6.3: Drupal 11 is built on Symfony 6.3, bringing enhanced performance, better developer tools, and long-term support until 2028. Websites running on Drupal 8 or 9 (built on older Symfony versions) may encounter security and performance limitations as those versions approach their end-of-life (EOL).

PHP 8.3 Support: By adopting the latest PHP version, Drupal 11 ensures compatibility with modern server environments, delivering better performance and memory usage.

Improved Performance

Enhanced Dynamic Page Cache optimisations and efficient asset-loading mechanisms provide faster response times and better scalability for high-traffic websites.

Security Enhancements

Drupal 11 adopts stricter deprecation handling and implements more secure coding practices, reducing vulnerabilities in custom code and third-party integrations.

Intuitive Content Authoring

Drupal 11 improves the user experience for non-technical users through a refined CKEditor 5 interface, drag-and-drop functionality for media management, and better content workflows.

Platform Requirements

This version of Drupal 11 requires specific conditions to be met in your environment. Do not attempt an upgrade before ensuring these minimum requirements are met:

• PHP 8.3
• Drush 13
• Database: It requires MySQL 8.0+ or MariaDB 10.6+. Otherwise, use the mysql57 module to use Drupal 11 on MySQL 5.7.8+ and MariaDB 10.3.7+.
• Symfony 7
• jQuery 4
• PHPUnit 10
• Composer 2.7.7
• Web server: As of Drupal 11.0.0, it does not support using Microsoft IIS. Other web server requirements remain unchanged.

Other considerations:

DevOps & CI/CD Pipelines: Confirm deployment pipelines are adjusted for the new stack

Monitoring & Logging: Update performance monitoring tools to reflect new database query patterns and caching optimisations.

Module Compatibility

Drupal’s ecosystem heavily depends on contributed modules. Check:

• Use the Upgrade Status module (Drupal.org) to scan for module compatibility.
• Monitor the status of key contributed modules on Drupal.org. Some popular modules may not yet be fully updated for Drupal 11.
• Evaluate custom modules for deprecated APIs and update them accordingly.

Recommendation: For mission-critical modules that are still in beta for Drupal 11, we strongly advise waiting before migrating your production site.

Theme Compatibility

• Twig Updates – Drupal 11 updates its Twig templating system. Custom themes must be validated for changes.
• Front-end Libraries – With jQuery 4 updates, front-end scripts should be tested to prevent breaking changes.
• Theme Performance Optimisation – Ensure assets (CSS, JavaScript) load efficiently under new Drupal 11 best practices.

Testing & Quality Assurance

A thorough testing strategy should be in place before production deployment:

• Unit Testing: Use PHPUnit 10 for module and functionality validation.
• Performance Testing: Benchmark page load times, API responses, and caching mechanisms.
• Regression Testing: Validate workflows, permissions, and UI consistency.

Consider both automated and manual testing to produce the most comprehensive testing results.

Community & Support

• Drupal 11 adoption is growing, but some modules and themes might take time to stabilise.
• Stay connected with the Drupal community forums and Slack channels to monitor known issues and patches.
• Consider Enterprise Support from Acquia or Pantheon if mission-critical stability is required.

Upgrade & Migration Considerations

Migrating from Drupal 10 to Drupal 11

✅ Check Module Compatibility – Ensure all dependencies are ready for Drupal 11.

✅ Update Custom Code – Remove deprecated API calls and refactor outdated logic.

✅ Test Database Migration – Validate schema changes and ensure content integrity.

✅ Run Upgrade Path on Staging – Always test major upgrades in a non-production environment.

Fresh Installation Considerations

• For new projects, Drupal 11 is the best choice due to its long-term support and modern feature set.
• Ensure all business-critical integrations are compatible with the new system before full-scale deployment.

Final Verdict: Is Drupal 11 Ready for Production For You?

🟢 Yes, if:

• Your infrastructure supports PHP 8.3 and updated database versions.
• Your essential contributed modules have been updated.
• You have tested your custom themes and modules against the new framework.
• Your project benefits from improved performance, security, and long-term stability.

🟠 Proceed with Caution, if:

• Your project relies on key contributed modules that have not yet been fully updated.
• You require complex commerce or multilingual functionality not yet validated for Drupal 11.
• You’re upgrading from an older version (Drupal 9 or below) and require major code refactoring.

🔴 Hold Off, if:

• Your project uses legacy infrastructure that cannot support PHP 8.3 or MySQL 8+.
• You depend on modules that are still in beta or alpha for Drupal 11.
• You lack the resources for thorough testing and quality assurance.

Conclusion

Drupal 11 is production-ready for most use cases, but caution is advised for organisations with complex dependency requirements. The decision to upgrade should be driven by a comprehensive evaluation of infrastructure, module readiness, and testing practices.

For businesses looking to leverage the latest security enhancements, performance improvements, and modern development standards, Drupal 11 is a compelling choice. However, if critical modules or themes are not yet stable, waiting a few months for broader ecosystem adoption may be a prudent strategy.

🚀 Need help with your Drupal 11 upgrade or deployment? Newpath can assist with migrations, testing, and custom website development to ensure a seamless transition. Contact us today to discuss your Drupal 11 strategy.