# Release cycle model

A new version of SonarQube Server is released every two months, with a new Long-Term Active (LTA) version (previously known as LTS) released every year. LTA is a functionally complete version of the product that will receive longer-term support.

This means that there are six releases of SonarQube Server per year, including the LTA version at the beginning of each year.

## Version scheme <a href="#version-scheme" id="version-scheme"></a>

SonarQube Server releases follow the following version scheme:

`YYYY.ReleaseNumber.PatchReleaseNumber`

<div align="left"><figure><img src="broken-reference" alt="SonarQube Server version scheme is in the format YYYY.ReleaseNumber.PatchReleaseNumber"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
Up to version 10.8 SonarQube Server followed the `MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH` version scheme.
{% endhint %}

## Support policy <a href="#support-policy" id="support-policy"></a>

The support policy is as follows:

* The latest version receives new features, enhancements, patches, and technical support.
* The latest-1 version receives technical support.
* The latest LTA receives:
  * Patches to fix vulnerabilities or blocker bugs until the next LTA is released.
  * Technical support up to 6 months after the next LTA is released.

The figure below shows the provided support when the latest version is 2025.3.

<figure><img src="broken-reference" alt="SonarQube Server support policy"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Active versions <a href="#active-versions" id="active-versions"></a>

In order to ensure that you continue to have the best user experience, you need to make sure that you are on an *active version*. An active version of SonarQube Server is a version that is deemed suitable for use and support.

<details>

<summary>Active version definition</summary>

The following count as active versions:

* The latest version of SonarQube Server
* Latest -1
* LTA
* LTA -1, up to 6 months after the new LTA is released and as long as a maximum of 3 versions are active

If we suppose that SonarQube Server 2025.3 has just become available (see the figure above), the active versions are:

* Latest version: 2025.3
* Latest-1: 2025.2
* LTA: 2025.1
* LTA-1: 9.9

</details>

<details>

<summary>How do I know if my SonarQube version is active?</summary>

There are two main ways to check if you are using an active version of SonarQube Server:

1. In SonarQube Server, in the footer next to the version number, you can immediately see if your version is *active* or *no longer active.*

<figure><img src="https://3560343708-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4FzELVjsPO4ijRo3jtBV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8bc7433789dc03c71de054e4fb4d173aa583825e%2Fcbda1a4df7138887e4e0548a0d2377898f233684.png?alt=media" alt="Active status in the footer of SonarQube Server"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2\. Administrators can go to the **Administration** > **System.** As per above, you can see in the footer if you are on an active version.

<figure><img src="https://3560343708-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4FzELVjsPO4ijRo3jtBV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1618b050676431ef42157f60d01018aa72561872%2F95f18460116c475ed90fcb8e4c435e8e14069c44.png?alt=media" alt="Active status on the System information page"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If there is a new version available, administrators will see a message at the top of the screen prompting you to upgrade to the latest version:

<figure><img src="https://3560343708-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4FzELVjsPO4ijRo3jtBV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4b2bd648cb11bcabbc09e72b83a10356d2e78ac5%2F44de237e30e0f589b78e342b531a26a0f21f814d.png?alt=media" alt="Notification bar showing the active status of SonarQube Server"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

</details>

## Related pages

* [SonarQube Server Long Term Active (LTA) and FAQ](https://www.sonarsource.com/products/sonarqube/downloads/lts/)
* [determine-path](https://docs.sonarsource.com/sonarqube-server/2025.1/server-update-and-maintenance/update/determine-path "mention")