# Managed ClickHouse® version support policy


Managed ClickHouse® follows the upstream ClickHouse long-term support, or LTS, release model.
This helps you use stable, supported versions and plan upgrades before versions
reach end of life.

Managed ClickHouse versions move through defined lifecycle stages, from
availability to end of life. Each stage determines whether you can create new
services, receive security updates, or need to plan an upgrade.

## Upstream LTS releases

Upstream ClickHouse typically releases two LTS versions each year, one in March
and one in August. The March release carries the minor version `.3`, for example `25.3`,
and the August release carries the minor version `.8`, for example `25.8`.

Upstream LTS versions receive security updates for 12 months.

## Lifecycle stages

Each Managed ClickHouse LTS version moves through the following stages:

- **Limited Availability (LA):** The version is available for selected early
  testing. LA versions are not publicly announced.
- **Early Availability (EA):** The version is stable and available to all customers.
  Some settings, features, and UI elements might still change.
- **General Availability (GA):** The version is stable and fully available.
- **End of Availability (EOA):** You can no longer create new services with the
  version. Exoscale doesn't guarantee security updates after EOA. EOA is announced
  ahead of End of Life.
- **End of Life (EOL):** Exoscale removes the version from support and
  automatically upgrades existing services to the next supported version.

## Support policy

Exoscale supports two active generally available LTS versions at a time.

Exoscale announces each new EA and GA version in the
[Exoscale changelog](https://changelog.exoscale.com/), together with the End of Availability
and End of Life dates of the version it replaces.

When a new version becomes available, new service creation stops for the oldest
supported version, and that version enters EOA. After EOL, Exoscale upgrades services
still running that version to the next supported version.

> [!NOTE]
> Not every upstream LTS release is offered on Exoscale, and Exoscale does not publish a
> fixed delay between an upstream release and its availability here. The authoritative list
> is always the one your organization can actually select, see
> [Version lifecycle dates](#version-lifecycle-dates) below.

## Security updates

Exoscale delivers security updates as maintenance updates that you apply during
the [maintenance window](/product/dbaas/how-to/maintenance-windows/). An update that
addresses a critical vulnerability can be applied automatically if it is left pending.

Once a version reaches EOA, Exoscale doesn't guarantee further security updates for it,
which is why EOA dates are announced ahead of time in the changelog.

## Version lifecycle dates

End of Availability and End of Life dates for each supported version are announced in the
[Exoscale changelog](https://changelog.exoscale.com/). List the versions your organization can
use at any time with `exo dbaas type show clickhouse`.

## Related pages

- [Manage versions in Managed ClickHouse®](/product/dbaas/service-specific/clickhouse/how-to/manage-clickhouse-versions/)
- [Maintenance window](/product/dbaas/how-to/maintenance-windows/)
- [Fork and restore from Managed ClickHouse® backups](/product/dbaas/service-specific/clickhouse/how-to/restore-backup/)