Key facts
- PHP version selected per site in Plesk, running through PHP-FPM with OPcache
- Current PHP 8.x for new code; PHP 7.x and 5.6 for legacy code where our platform supports it
- Per-site php.ini: memory_limit, max_execution_time, upload_max_filesize, max_input_vars
- Composer, Git deployment and scheduled tasks (cron) in Plesk
- ionCube Loader for encoded commercial PHP software
- MySQL or MariaDB with phpMyAdmin
- £1 a day + VAT with daily backups, SSL and Cloudflare DNS
PHP hosting you can configure yourself
Most hosting is PHP hosting, but the difference is how much control you get. On dijitul hosting you have your own Plesk login and can change the things that matter per site, without raising a ticket:
- the PHP version, switched in a couple of clicks
- PHP settings such as memory_limit, max_execution_time, post_max_size and upload_max_filesize
- scheduled tasks to run PHP scripts on a timetable
- databases, users and access through phpMyAdmin
- SSL certificates and HTTPS redirects
And if you'd rather not touch any of it, tell us what the site needs and we'll set it.
Which PHP version should you use?
For new projects, use a PHP version with plenty of support left. The PHP project's current schedule is:
| Version | Security fixes until |
|---|---|
| PHP 8.2 | 31 December 2026 |
| PHP 8.3 | 31 December 2027 |
| PHP 8.4 | 31 December 2028 |
| PHP 8.5 | 31 December 2029 |
PHP 8.1 and everything older are end of life. That doesn't mean code written for them can't run, but it does mean it should be isolated and planned for upgrade. See legacy PHP hosting for how we handle that.
Extensions and tools
- Common extensions: mysqli, PDO, GD, Imagick, cURL, mbstring, intl, zip, xml, SOAP, BCMath and sodium, depending on the PHP version.
- OPcache: compiled PHP is cached in memory, which speeds up every request.
- ionCube Loader: for commercial scripts distributed in encoded form, such as some billing, shop and forum software.
- Composer: for installing and updating dependencies.
- Git: deploy from your repository straight to the site.
- Databases: MySQL or MariaDB, with utf8mb4 so every character and emoji is stored correctly.
If your application needs an extension that isn't listed, ask. We'll tell you whether we can enable it or whether it needs a VPS.
Bespoke PHP applications
A lot of UK businesses run on a bespoke PHP system: a booking tool, an internal database, a quoting system or a customer portal. These often have no documentation and quirky requirements, such as a cron job that emails a report at 6am or a folder of uploaded files that must never be public. We document what we find when we move it, so the next person isn't starting from scratch. Bigger or business-critical systems may suit custom software hosting, which is quoted.
Frameworks we host
Any standard PHP framework runs on the plan, with the document root and cron set the way it expects. See the specific pages for Laravel, Symfony and CodeIgniter. For CMS-based sites, start with WordPress, Drupal or Joomla. Ready? Order dijitul Complete Hosting or call 01623 650333.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best PHP hosting in the UK for a small business?
Look for per-site PHP version control, current PHP 8.x, daily backups, UK support and someone who will migrate your site. dijitul Complete Hosting includes all of these on Plesk, with Composer, ionCube Loader and cron, plus Cloudflare DNS and a domain renewal, for £1 a day + VAT.
Can I change the PHP version for my website myself?
Yes. On dijitul hosting you have your own Plesk login and can change the PHP version per site under PHP settings. If the site breaks after a change, switch back straight away and ask us to look at what needs updating.
How do I increase the PHP memory limit?
In Plesk, open the site's PHP settings and raise memory_limit. Some applications also set their own limit in a config file, such as WP_MEMORY_LIMIT in WordPress. On dijitul hosting you can change it yourself, or ask us to set a sensible value.
Do you support ionCube Loader?
Yes. ionCube Loader is available for the PHP versions we run, so encoded commercial scripts work. The Loader must match both your PHP version and the version the script was encoded for, so we check compatibility before moving encoded software.
Which PHP version should I use in 2026?
PHP 8.3 or newer. PHP 8.2 stops receiving security fixes on 31 December 2026, PHP 8.3 is supported until 31 December 2027 and PHP 8.4 until 31 December 2028. Test your site on the newer version before switching the live site.
Related
Set it up and forget about it
Managed hosting, Plesk, Cloudflare DNS, daily backups and your domain for £1 a day + VAT. We move your site for you.