MySQL Version History

3 active, 12 end-of-life. 15 versions tracked.

MySQL releases new major versions roughly every 2-3 years, with quarterly patch updates. Oracle maintains MySQL under a dual-license model (GPL and commercial). MySQL 8.4 introduced the first LTS designation in the project's history.

Recommendation

For new projects, use MySQL 8.4 LTS for maximum stability (supported through 2032), or MySQL 9.6 for the latest features.

Version Released End of Life Latest Patch Status
MySQL 9.6 January 20, 2026 TBD 9.6.0 Active
MySQL 9.5 October 21, 2025 January 20, 2026 9.5.2 End of Life
MySQL 9.4 July 9, 2025 October 21, 2025 9.4.2 End of Life
MySQL 9.3 March 31, 2025 July 22, 2025 9.3.2 End of Life
MySQL 9.2 December 15, 2024 April 15, 2025 9.2.2 End of Life
MySQL 9.1 September 24, 2024 January 21, 2025 9.1.2 End of Life
MySQL 9.0 June 7, 2024 October 15, 2024 9.0.1 End of Life
MySQL 8.4 LTS April 10, 2024 April 30, 2032 8.4.8 LTS — Active
MySQL 8.3 December 14, 2023 April 10, 2024 8.3.0 End of Life
MySQL 8.2 October 12, 2023 December 14, 2023 8.2.0 End of Life
MySQL 8.1 June 21, 2023 October 25, 2023 8.1.0 End of Life
MySQL 8.0 LTS April 8, 2018 April 30, 2026 8.0.45 Security Only
MySQL 5.7 October 9, 2015 October 31, 2023 5.7.44 End of Life
MySQL 5.6 February 1, 2013 February 28, 2021 5.6.51 End of Life
MySQL 5.5 December 3, 2010 December 31, 2018 5.5.63 End of Life
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MySQL Support Policy

MySQL 8.4 LTS gets 5 years of Premier Support followed by 3 years of Extended Support (total 8 years). Innovation releases (8.x, 9.x non-LTS) get only 2 years of support. Oracle provides patches through quarterly Critical Patch Updates (CPU).

What You Need to Know

MySQL 5.7 reached end-of-life in October 2023. If you're still running it, you have no security patches.

MySQL 8.4 is the first LTS release in MySQL history, with support planned through 2032.

MySQL 9.0+ are Innovation releases with shorter support, aimed at developers wanting the latest features.

The 5.7 to 8.0 upgrade can be disruptive due to the new default authentication plugin (caching_sha2_password) and collation changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which MySQL version should I use in 2026?
MySQL 8.4 LTS is the clear choice. It has the longest support window (through 2032), is production-hardened, and gets regular security patches. Innovation releases (9.x) are fine for development but not recommended for production workloads that need long-term stability.
How do I upgrade from MySQL 5.7 to 8.0?
Run the MySQL Upgrade Checker utility first. The main issues are: the new default authentication plugin (caching_sha2_password), utf8mb4 becoming the default character set, and removed SQL modes. Test your application thoroughly after the upgrade, especially authentication flows.
What is the difference between MySQL LTS and Innovation releases?
LTS releases (8.4) get 8 years of support with a focus on stability. Innovation releases (9.0, 9.1) get only 2 years of support but include the latest features. Innovation releases are essentially the testing ground for features that will land in the next LTS.

Related Tools

Vulnerability Scanner
EOL Timeline Visualizer
Upgrade Path Planner

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