Differences Between PHP Versions 7.4, 8.0, and 8.1
Overview
PHP is the engine that powers your WordPress site, and the version you're using can significantly impact performance, security, and compatibility. As PHP evolves, each version introduces improvements—and occasionally removes outdated functions.
This guide highlights the key differences between PHP 7.4, 8.0, and 8.1 so you can understand what’s changing and why staying updated matters.
How It Works
Each PHP version builds on the one before it, improving speed, memory handling, and developer capabilities. Newer versions are not only faster but also more secure and better optimized for modern WordPress and plugin development.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the key differences:
Feature Comparison Table
Feature | PHP 7.4 | PHP 8.0 | PHP 8.1 |
|---|---|---|---|
Performance | Good | Great – JIT introduced | Even better – JIT improvements and Fibers |
Security Support | Ended | Active support | Active support |
JIT Engine | Not available | Available | Improved version |
Named Arguments | Not available | Available | Available |
Union Types | Not available | Available | Available |
Match Expressions | Not available | Available | Available |
Readonly Properties | Not available | Not available | Introduced |
Fibers (Async Support) | Not available | Not available | Introduced |
Deprecated Cleanup | None removed | Many older features removed | More strict type enforcement |
Backward Compatibility | High | Moderate (some breaking changes) | Moderate (stricter typing) |