For sites on older Moodle versions, or moving to Moodle
Upgrade to Moodle 5.3 LTS without breaking your courses.
Moodle 4.5 LTS stops getting security fixes on 4 October 2027. We plan, test and run your upgrade, so courses, grades and users come through intact.
Upgrades go wrong when plugins aren't compatible, the server isn't ready, or nobody tested on a copy first. Moving from spreadsheets or an old portal brings its own risks: missing records, broken enrolments and confused users.
Moodle 5.3 is the new long-term support release, with security support until 1 October 2029. Upgrading once to an LTS release gives you three years of security fixes before the next major move.
Our team brings 15+ years of combined Moodle experience, led by a founder and CTO who has implemented Moodle since 2016.
What's included
Everything your Moodle site needs.
Upgrade audit
Your current version, plugins, themes, customisations and server, checked against the target release.
Test copy first
We upgrade a copy of your site before touching the live one, as Moodle itself recommends.
Server readiness
PHP 8.2 or later, supported database versions, and the public folder setup Moodle 5.1+ needs.
Plugins & themes
Incompatible plugins updated or replaced, including Chat and Survey, which left Moodle's core in 5.0.
Moving to Moodle
Courses, users and records moved from spreadsheets, old portals or unmanaged Moodle sites.
Training
Admins, instructors and support teams trained on the new version.
How it works
A clear process, tested before it goes live.
- We audit your site: version, plugins, themes, customisations and server.
- We back up the Moodle software, the uploaded files (moodledata) and the database.
- We upgrade a copy and your team tests it.
- We schedule the live upgrade at a quiet time.
- We check everything, train your team and support you afterwards.
Good to know
What changed in recent Moodle releases.
- You can only upgrade to Moodle 5.x from version 4.2.3 or later. Older sites need an intermediate upgrade first, which we handle as part of the project.
- Moodle 5.x needs PHP 8.2 or later, and from 5.1 the web server must point at the new public folder.
- Moodle recommends testing every upgrade on a copy of the production site first. We always do.
Moodle versions and support dates
Know when your version stops getting security fixes.
| Version | Released | Security fixes until | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moodle 5.3 (LTS) | 5 Oct 2026 | 1 Oct 2029 | Recommended for new sites and upgrades |
| Moodle 5.2 | 20 Apr 2026 | 4 Oct 2027 | Latest features, shorter support |
| Moodle 5.1 | 6 Oct 2025 | 19 Apr 2027 | Introduced the public folder structure |
| Moodle 5.0 | 14 Apr 2025 | 5 Oct 2026 | Security support has ended; upgrade now |
| Moodle 4.5 (LTS) | 7 Oct 2024 | 4 Oct 2027 | Plan your move to 5.3 within the next year |
Source: Moodle's published release schedule, checked 5 October 2026.
Pricing
Quoted for your site
Upgrades and migrations are quoted per project after an audit of your site. Tell us your current version and number of users for a free quote.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
When do we need to upgrade from Moodle 4.5?
Moodle 4.5 LTS gets security fixes until 4 October 2027. Plan your move to Moodle 5.3 LTS, which has security support until 1 October 2029, well before then.
Can we upgrade straight from Moodle 3.x to 5.3?
Not directly. Moodle only upgrades to 5.x from version 4.2.3 or later, so older sites go through an intermediate upgrade first. We plan and run every step.
Will we lose courses or grades?
We back up the software, uploaded files and database, and upgrade a test copy first, so problems are found and fixed before the live site is touched.
What happens to Chat and Survey activities?
Moodle 5.0 removed them from core. They are still available as plugins, or we can move your content to other activities.
Can you move us to Moodle from spreadsheets or an old portal?
Yes. We move courses, users and records from spreadsheets, old portals and unmanaged Moodle sites, then train your team.
Facts about Moodle versions are from Moodle releases and support dates · Moodle 5.1 upgrade guide · Moodle 5.0 release notes. Moodle™ is a registered trademark of Moodle Pty Ltd. ItsFixed Communications is an independent Moodle service provider.
