In short
Extended long term support (ELTS) is a paid maintenance contract that continues to supply a software version with security updates after its regular support has ended. The term is best known from the TYPO3 world: when free community support for an LTS version ends, TYPO3 GmbH offers ELTS for that version.
Similar models exist for operating systems, databases and runtime environments, often under names such as extended support or extended security updates.
For companies, ELTS is above all a time buffer. It creates breathing space to plan an upgrade or relaunch in an orderly way instead of sitting on an unpatched system under pressure. In the long run, it does not replace the upgrade.
How ELTS works
Every LTS version has a fixed life cycle. First there are bug fixes and security updates, then only security updates, and at the end nothing at all. ELTS starts at precisely this point. The provider continues to maintain the version branch, backports security fixes from newer versions and makes the patched releases available only to paying customers.
Billing is usually per installation and per year. The term is limited: an ELTS contract extends the life of a version by a few years, not indefinitely. The older the version becomes, the more laborious backporting becomes for the provider, and as a rule the more expensive it becomes for the customer.
ELTS for TYPO3
With TYPO3, every LTS version receives three years of free support from the community. After that, TYPO3 GmbH takes over with ELTS. For TYPO3 v12, it looks like this:
| Phase | Period | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Free community support | April 2023 to 30.04.2026 | free of charge |
| ELTS years 1 to 3 | 01.05.2026 to 30.04.2029 | €3,200 per year and installation (single plan, before discounts) |
| ELTS year 4 | 01.05.2029 to 30.04.2030 | only via official TYPO3 partners |
According to TYPO3 GmbH, the price for v12 is around 15% higher than for v10 and v11. Members of the TYPO3 Association receive tiered discounts.
What ELTS covers and what it does not
ELTS secures the core of the respective software. That is important, but it is rarely the whole system. Three gaps typically remain open:
- Extensions and plugins. Third-party extensions are not part of the contract. If the vendor no longer maintains the old version, security vulnerabilities remain open there.
- Runtime environment. An ELTS contract for a CMS patches neither PHP nor the operating system. If the PHP version itself no longer receives security updates, this risk remains.
- Further development. ELTS does not deliver any new features. The feature set of the version is frozen.
Anyone buying ELTS should therefore always check which parts of the stack lie outside the contract and how long they will continue to be maintained.
ELTS, LTS and upgrade compared
| Criterion | LTS (regular) | ELTS | Upgrade to new LTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core security updates | yes | yes | yes |
| Bug fixes | yes at first | only critical ones | yes |
| New features | no | no | yes |
| Ongoing licence costs | none | annual | none |
| One-off effort | none | low | medium to high |
| Time horizon | fixed | extended for a limited time | new full cycle |
When ELTS is worthwhile
ELTS is worthwhile when the end of the old version has already been planned and only the time until then needs to be secured. Typical cases are a firmly scheduled relaunch in the next one to two years, regulated environments with long approval cycles or a dependency on an extension that is not yet available for the new version.
ELTS is weak as a permanent solution. Every year without an upgrade increases the distance to the current version, and the technical debt grows. A simple rule of thumb: calculate the ELTS costs over the time you would need until the upgrade and compare them with the upgrade effort. If the upgrade is within this range, it is almost always the better investment.
A practical example
A mid-sized company runs its corporate website on TYPO3 v12 and is already planning a relaunch with a new design and new structure for autumn 2027. An upgrade to v14 in 2026 would put effort into a system that will be replaced a year later. Here, one year of ELTS is the clean bridge: the core remains patched, and the team can build the relaunch directly on v14. It is important to check the extensions in use at the same time, because the contract does not cover their vulnerabilities. How to make such a decision in a structured way is described in the article TYPO3 v12 has reached end of support: upgrade to v14 or buy ELTS?
Frequently asked questions
What does ELTS mean?
ELTS stands for extended long term support. It refers to paid support that continues to supply a software version with security updates after regular support has ended.
What does TYPO3 ELTS cost?
For TYPO3 v12, the single plan costs €3,200 per year and installation before discounts. Members of the TYPO3 Association pay less.
Does ELTS also cover extensions?
No. ELTS patches the TYPO3 core. Third-party extensions and the PHP version lie outside the contract.
Is ELTS an alternative to upgrading?
Only for a limited time. ELTS postpones the upgrade but does not replace it. It makes most sense with a fixed upgrade or relaunch date. You can also find context and end dates for older versions on the TYPO3 GmbH ELTS page.