Commonly Asked Questions About the Drupal 10 Upgrade
Introduction
Even Drupal specialists may need help understanding the full scope of the Drupal 10 upgrade process. Drupal CMS upgrades can be complex, and taking the right steps to rebuild or migrate your site directly impacts performance, security, and user experience.
If you're still on Drupal 7, it's time to act—the end-of-life of Drupal 7 is January 2025, meaning no more security patches or official support. If you're on Drupal 8, it already reached EOL in November 2021, and Drupal 9 followed in November 2023 due to Symfony 4's EOL.
Now is the best time to upgrade from Drupal 7 to 10, migrate Drupal 8 to 10, or plan your Drupal 9 to 10 migration to future-proof your digital presence. In this blog, we’ll walk through the Drupal 10 upgrade checklist, cost breakdown, and frequently asked questions around Drupal 7 to 10, Drupal 8 to 10, and Drupal 9 to 10 upgrade services.
How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade from Drupal 9 to 10?
The cost of a Drupal 10 upgrade depends on several factors—site complexity, custom modules, themes, and data volume. A basic Drupal 9 to 10 upgrade might cost ~$1,000, while a complex Drupal CMS upgrade can exceed $10,000.
| Task Description | Estimated Hours | Developers | Cost (USD) |
| Project Planning and Analysis | 20 | 1 | $2,500 |
| Codebase Audit and Compatibility Check | 40 | 1 | $5,000 |
| Module and Theme Upgrades | 80 | 2 | $10,000 |
| Custom Code Adjustments and Bug Fixes | 60 | 2 | $7,500 |
| Database Migration and Data Cleanup | 40 | 1 | $5,000 |
| Testing and Quality Assurance | 60 | 2 | $7,500 |
| Performance Optimization and Caching Setup | 40 | 1 | $5,000 |
| Frontend Enhancements and Responsive Design | 40 | 1 | $5,000 |
| Security Enhancements and Vulnerability Patching | 40 | 1 | $5,000 |
| Documentation and Training | 20 | 1 | $2,500 |
| Contingency and Miscellaneous Costs | - | - | $5,000 |
| Total | - | - | $60,500 |
Pro tip: For accurate pricing, consult a Drupal 9 to 10 migration agency or Drupal CMS migration experts.
How Do I Prepare for a Drupal 10 Upgrade?
Preparation is crucial—whether you're planning a Drupal 8 to 10 upgrade, a Drupal 9 to 10 upgrade, or a Drupal 7 to 10 migration. Follow these Drupal 10 migration best practices to ensure a smooth transition:
- Ensure your site is on the latest supported version (e.g., upgrade from Drupal 8 to 9 first).
- Audit all contributed and custom modules and themes for Drupal 10 compatibility.
- CKEditor 5 – Richer editing experience
- Remove deprecated functions and clean up unused or outdated code.
- Use the Upgrade Status module to scan and prepare your codebase.
- Document all custom functionality and workflows for easier debugging.
- Always back up your site before initiating the upgrade process.
What Are the Risks of Staying on Drupal 8 or 9?
- Drupal 8 reached end-of-life in November 2021.
- Drupal 9 reached end-of-life in November 2023.
Running an unsupported version of Drupal means your website will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or community support. This increases the risk of vulnerabilities, compliance issues, and site performance problems.
To maintain a secure and scalable website, upgrade to Drupal 10 and benefit from ongoing improvements and security enhancements.
How to Migrate from Drupal 8 to 10?
You cannot directly upgrade from Drupal 8 to 10. The proper upgrade path is:
1. Upgrade from Drupal 8 to 9
2. Then perform the Drupal 9 to 10 migration
Use the Upgrade Status module to identify deprecated code, incompatible modules, and required updates. This two-step approach is necessary for a stable and secure Drupal 8 to 10 migration.
Can I Skip Drupal 9 and Go from Drupal 8 to 10?
No, Drupal does not support skipping major versions. You must first upgrade to Drupal 9, and only then proceed with the Drupal 10 upgrade . All Drupal CMS upgrade services recommend this phased approach to maintain compatibility and avoid issues.
What’s Included in a Drupal 8 or 9 to 10 Migration Checklist?
Here’s a standard Drupal 9 to 10 upgrade checklist, which also applies to a Drupal 8 to 10 migration after the Drupal 9 upgrade:
- Upgrade all contributed modules and themes
- Replace deprecated APIs and functions
- Ensure compatibility with Symfony 6 and PHP 8.1
- Test and configure CKEditor 5
- Validate frontend design changes with the Olivero theme
- Backup your site and stage the upgrade process
- Conduct extensive QA and regression testing
What Are the Key Features in Drupal 10?
Upgrading to Drupal 10 unlocks a host of improvements
- Claro Admin Theme – A modern, accessible, and clean admin UI
- Olivero Frontend Theme – Mobile-first and performance-optimized frontend
- CKEditor 5 – A revamped WYSIWYG editor with rich formatting options
- Symfony 6 & PHP 8.1 – Latest backend architecture for speed and security
- Theme Starterkit – Simplifies custom theming
- Modern JavaScript components – Improved frontend flexibility and UX
These features deliver stronger performance, security, and user experience—making a compelling case for a Drupal 9 to 10 upgrade or a Drupal 8 to 10 content migration.
Should I Hire Experts for Drupal 10 Migration?
Yes. Working with experienced Drupal 10 upgrade services or a Drupal 10 migration agency can:
- Reduce downtime and avoid disruptions
- Ensure compatibility and secure development practices
- Optimize performance post-migration
- Customize the platform to fit your evolving business needs
Complex Drupal projects, especially those involving custom code, workflows, or third-party integrations, benefit significantly from professional assistance.
What Security Enhancements Are in Drupal 10?
Drupal 10 introduces robust security upgrades, including:
- Enhanced data sanitization APIs
- Symfony 6 architecture with hardened security protocols
- File system permission improvements
- CKEditor 5 with advanced content filtering
- Ongoing security support from the Drupal community
These improvements make Drupal 10 migration from Drupal 8 or Drupal 9 a critical step for businesses prioritizing compliance and data security.
What’s the difference between a Drupal 8 to 10 vs. Drupal 9 to 10 migration?
Drupal 8 to 10 migration is a two-step process that first requires upgrading to Drupal 9. In contrast, Drupal 9 to 10 upgrade is more straightforward due to compatibility between the versions.
Do I need to migrate content during the upgrade?
Typically, no. If your content architecture and entities are compatible, the upgrade preserves your existing content. However, significant structural changes may require Drupal 8 to 10 content migration strategies.
Is it more cost-effective to upgrade from Drupal 9 to 10 than from 7 to 10?
Yes. Drupal 7 to 10 migration is more complex due to architectural differences. Upgrading from Drupal 9 to 10 is faster and typically more affordable.
Final Thoughts: Why Migrate to Drupal 10 Now?
Upgrading to Drupal 10 is not just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic investment in your platform’s future. With new features, enhanced security, and modern architecture, Drupal 10 is built for speed, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
Whether you're planning a Drupal 8 to 10 upgrade, a Drupal 9 to 10 migration, or a full Drupal 7 to 10 migration, acting now ensures your site remains secure, supported, and ready for future growth.
Engage professional Drupal CMS migration services today to execute your upgrade with confidence and efficiency.