If you’ve worked on web development projects, you know how critical framework version management is. This is especially true when maintaining large-scale applications. Today, we’ll take a detailed look at Ember.js’s version support lifecycle.
What is Ember.js?
Ember.js is an open-source JavaScript framework for building scalable single-page applications. Originally renamed from SproutCore 2.0 in December 2011, it’s currently used by global companies including Apple Music, LinkedIn, Discourse, and Twitch.
Ember.js’s defining characteristics are its Convention over Configuration philosophy and strong emphasis on backward compatibility. Inspired by Ruby on Rails, it helps developers quickly build applications. Through Ember CLI (Command Line Interface), you can systematically manage the entire process from project creation to build and deployment.
As of October 2025, the latest version is 6.8. The framework continues its evolution toward the Polaris Edition, which began with the 6.0 major release in November 2024. Version 6.8 particularly stands out with Vite as the default build system, significantly improving build speeds.
01. Understanding Ember.js’s Release Approach
Ember.js is known for its predictable release cycle. It follows a ‘Release Train’ model with regular minor version releases every 6 weeks. This approach allows teams to plan their upgrade schedules in advance.
Strict adherence to Semantic Versioning (SemVer) is another key characteristic. Versions follow the MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH format:
- MAJOR version: Only removes previously deprecated features. Never adds new features
- MINOR version: Adds new features while maintaining backward compatibility
- PATCH version: Bug fixes and security patches
Notably, major versions are intentionally “boring” releases. Since they only clean up already-deprecated features, developers face no surprises. Following RFC 0830 announced in 2021, major versions are released every 18 months, while major feature additions always occur in minor versions.
02. Why LTS (Long Term Support) Matters
LTS stands for Long Term Support, and it’s particularly important for large-scale projects or environments where frequent upgrades are challenging.
Ember.js’s LTS versions provide significantly longer support periods than regular releases:
- Bugfixes: 36 weeks (approximately 9 months) after LTS promotion
- Security Updates: 54 weeks (approximately 13 months) after LTS promotion
The criteria for LTS versions are clear:
- Approximately every 4 minor versions (x.4, x.8, x.12)
- x.0 versions are excluded from LTS
- The last minor version before the next major release is also designated as LTS
- Must operate as a stable version for at least 6 weeks, tested by thousands of developers before LTS promotion
For example, in the Ember 2.x series, versions 2.4, 2.8, 2.12, 2.16, and 2.18 (final version) were LTS releases.
03. Current Ember.js Version Status
As of October 28, 2025:
Latest Stable Version: Ember.js 6.8.0 (Released October 25, 2025)
- Vite adopted as default build system
- renderComponent API added for improved integration with D3, ag-grid, etc.
- Significantly improved production build size and speed
Current Active LTS Version: Ember.js 6.4.0 (Released April 28, 2025, promoted to LTS June 9)
- Bugfix support: Until January 5, 2026
- Security patch support: Until June 22, 2026
Security Patches Only: Ember.js 5.12 (Released September 30, 2024)
- Bugfixes ended: April 28, 2025
- Security patch support: Until October 13, 2025
Installation:
# Install current LTS
npm install --save-dev ember-source@~6.4.0
# Install latest stable version
npm install --save-dev ember-source@~6.8.0
04. Complete Ember.js Version Support Lifecycle
📊 Ember.js 6.x Series (Current)
| Version | Release Date | LTS | Bugfixes End | Security End | Status | Latest Patch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.8 | 2025-10-25 | – | Ongoing | Ongoing | ✅ Active | 6.8.0 |
| 6.7 | 2025-09-03 | – | Ongoing | Ongoing | ✅ Active | 6.7.0 |
| 6.6 | 2025-09-01 | – | Ongoing | Ongoing | ✅ Active | 6.6.0 |
| 6.5 | 2025-06-09 | – | 2025-05-26 | 2025-05-26 | 🔴 EOL | 6.5.0 |
| 6.4 | 2025-04-28 | 🏆 LTS | 2026-01-05 | 2026-06-22 | ✅ Active | 6.4.0 |
| 6.3 | 2025-03-17 | – | 2025-05-26 | 2025-05-26 | 🔴 EOL | 6.3.0 |
| 6.2 | 2025-02-03 | – | 2025-03-28 | 2025-03-28 | 🔴 EOL | 6.2.0 |
| 6.1 | 2024-12-23 | – | 2025-02-22 | 2025-02-22 | 🔴 EOL | 6.1.0 |
| 6.0 | 2024-11-12 | – | 2024-12-28 | 2024-12-28 | 🔴 EOL | 6.0.1 |
📊 Ember.js 5.x Series
| Version | Release Date | LTS | Bugfixes End | Security End | Status | Latest Patch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.12 | 2024-09-30 | 🏆 LTS | 2025-04-28 | 2025-10-13 | ⚠️ Security Only | 5.12.0 |
| 5.11 | 2024-08-19 | – | 2024-10-04 | 2024-10-04 | 🔴 EOL | 5.11.1 |
| 5.10 | 2024-07-08 | – | 2024-08-19 | 2024-08-19 | 🔴 EOL | 5.10.2 |
| 5.9 | 2024-06-03 | – | 2024-07-08 | 2024-07-08 | 🔴 EOL | 5.9.0 |
| 5.8 | 2024-04-15 | 🏆 LTS | 2024-12-30 | 2025-06-16 | 🔴 EOL | 5.8.0 |
| 5.7 | 2024-03-04 | – | 2024-04-20 | 2024-04-20 | 🔴 EOL | 5.7.0 |
| 5.6 | 2024-01-22 | – | 2024-03-04 | 2024-03-04 | 🔴 EOL | 5.6.0 |
| 5.5 | 2023-12-11 | – | 2024-01-22 | 2024-01-22 | 🔴 EOL | 5.5.0 |
| 5.4 | 2023-10-30 | 🏆 LTS | 2024-07-08 | 2024-12-23 | 🔴 EOL | 5.4.1 |
| 5.3 | 2023-09-18 | – | 2024-07-07 | 2024-12-22 | 🔴 EOL | 5.3.0 |
| 5.2 | 2023-08-07 | – | 2023-09-21 | 2023-09-21 | 🔴 EOL | 5.2.0 |
| 5.1 | 2023-06-26 | – | 2023-08-07 | 2023-08-07 | 🔴 EOL | 5.1.2 |
| 5.0 | 2023-05-15 | – | 2023-07-08 | 2023-07-08 | 🔴 EOL | 5.0.0 |
📊 Ember.js 4.x Series
| Version | Release Date | LTS | Bugfixes End | Security End | Status | Latest Patch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.12 | 2023-04-03 | 🏆 LTS | 2023-12-10 | 2024-05-26 | 🔴 EOL | 4.12.4 |
| 4.8 | 2022-10-17 | 🏆 LTS | 2023-07-06 | 2023-12-21 | 🔴 EOL | 4.8.6 |
| 4.4 | 2022-05-03 | 🏆 LTS | 2023-02-08 | 2023-07-26 | 🔴 EOL | 4.4.5 |
📊 Ember.js 3.x Series (Legacy)
| Version | Release Date | LTS | Bugfixes End | Security End | Status | Latest Patch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.28 | 2021-08-10 | 🏆 LTS | 2022-07-18 | 2023-01-02 | 🔴 EOL | 3.28.12 |
| 3.24 | 2020-12-28 | 🏆 LTS | 2021-09-23 | 2022-03-10 | 🔴 EOL | 3.24.7 |
| 3.20 | 2020-07-13 | 🏆 LTS | 2021-03-31 | 2021-09-15 | 🔴 EOL | 3.20.7 |
| 3.16 | 2020-01-20 | 🏆 LTS | 2020-10-12 | 2021-03-29 | 🔴 EOL | 3.16.10 |
| 3.12 | 2019-08-06 | 🏆 LTS | 2020-04-22 | 2020-10-07 | 🔴 EOL | 3.12.4 |
| 3.8 | 2019-02-18 | 🏆 LTS | 2019-11-06 | 2020-04-22 | 🔴 EOL | 3.8.3 |
| 3.4 | 2018-08-28 | 🏆 LTS | 2019-05-13 | 2019-10-28 | 🔴 EOL | 3.4.8 |
📊 Ember.js 2.x Series (Legacy)
| Version | Release Date | LTS | Bugfixes End | Security End | Status | Latest Patch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.18 | 2018-01-01 | 🏆 LTS | 2018-09-12 | 2019-02-27 | 🔴 EOL | 2.18.2 |
| 2.16 | 2017-10-10 | 🏆 LTS | 2018-06-18 | 2018-12-03 | 🔴 EOL | 2.16.4 |
| 2.12 | 2017-03-15 | 🏆 LTS | 2017-11-25 | 2018-05-12 | 🔴 EOL | 2.12.2 |
| 2.8 | 2016-09-09 | 🏆 LTS | 2017-05-15 | 2017-10-30 | 🔴 EOL | 2.8.3 |
| 2.4 | 2016-02-29 | 🏆 LTS | 2016-11-07 | 2017-04-24 | 🔴 EOL | 2.4.6 |
Note: The tables above are based on verified information from endoflife.date and the Ember.js official LTS page.
05. Ember Data’s Independent Version Management
Ember Data is the official data persistence library for Ember.js. Importantly, Ember Data operates its own version scheme separate from Ember.js. It’s currently undergoing a rebrand to WarpDrive.
Starting November 2023, it moved away from Lockstep Versioning. This means Ember Data maintains its own LTS cycle.
📊 Ember Data LTS Version Status
| EmberData Version | LTS Promotion | Bugfixes End | Security End | Status | Compatible Ember Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | 2023-12-10 | 2024-07-07 | 2024-12-22 | ✅ Active | 5.12, 6.x |
| 4.12 | 2023-05-14 | 2023-12-10 | 2024-05-26 | ✅ Active | 4.12, 5.x |
| 4.8 | 2022-12-08 | 2023-07-06 | 2023-12-21 | 🔴 EOL | 4.8 |
| 4.4 | 2022-07-13 | 2023-02-08 | 2023-07-26 | 🔴 EOL | 4.4 |
For use with the current LTS Ember.js 6.4, installing Ember Data 5.3 is recommended:
npm install --save-dev ember-data@~5.3.0
For more details, see the Ember Data 5.X Update blog post.
06. Upgrade Approach: LTS-to-LTS Migration
For large-scale applications, gradual upgrades from one LTS to the next is the safest approach.
Recommended Upgrade Path
The ember-cli-update tool enables automated upgrades:
# Upgrade from current version to next LTS
npx ember-cli-update --to 6.4.0
# Or automatically find next LTS
npx ember-cli-update
Example upgrade path:
2.18 LTS → 3.4 LTS → 3.8 LTS → 3.12 LTS → 3.16 LTS → 3.20 LTS
→ 3.24 LTS → 3.28 LTS → 4.4 LTS → 4.8 LTS → 4.12 LTS
→ 5.4 LTS → 5.8 LTS → 5.12 LTS → 6.4 LTS
At each step:
- Upgrade to LTS
- Resolve all deprecation warnings
- Verify tests pass
- Move to next LTS
This approach is recommended in the Ember.js official upgrade guide.
07. Node.js and TypeScript Support Policy
Ember.js has clear support policies for ecosystem tools.
Node.js Support
Ember follows the Node.js LTS schedule:
- Supports both Active LTS and Current versions
- When a Node.js version exits its LTS window, Ember drops support
- This is not considered a breaking change
- Always noted in release notes
📊 Currently Supported Node.js Versions
| Node.js Version | Codename | Ember CLI Support Until |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | Hydrogen | 2025-04-30 |
| Node.js 20 | Iron | 2026-04-30 |
| Node.js 22 | Jod | 2027-04-30 |
Details: Ember CLI Node.js Support Documentation
TypeScript Support
Ember follows the Semantic Versioning for TypeScript Types spec, which the Ember community authored!
“Rolling Window” policy:
- TypeScript version ranges supported by two consecutive LTS releases always overlap
- No need to upgrade TypeScript separately when upgrading LTS
Example: Ember.js 6.4 supports TypeScript 5.0-5.7.
08. Security Policy and Vulnerability Response
The Ember project maintains a systematic security policy.
Security Patch Coverage
- Latest Release: Always receives security patches
- Current LTS: Security patches for 54 weeks
- Previous LTS: Continues support for some time after new LTS release
For security vulnerabilities, confidential reporting to security@emberjs.com is recommended.
CVE Response Process
When critical vulnerabilities are discovered:
- Develop security patch
- Backport to all supported LTS versions
- Pre-notify major addon maintainers before public disclosure
- Publish security advisory
09. Version Selection by Project Type
Version selection based on project circumstances:
🚀 Starting a New Project
→ Latest Stable Version (6.8) recommended
- Utilize latest features and performance improvements
- For teams that can upgrade consistently every 6 weeks
🏢 Large Enterprise Applications
→ LTS Version (6.4) recommended
- Ensures long-term stability
- Reduces upgrade cycle to 1-2 times per year
- Continues receiving security patches
🔧 Legacy Project Maintenance
→ Keep current version if LTS, otherwise upgrade to nearest LTS
- Version 3.28 or below → Upgrade to at least 4.12 LTS
- Version 5.x or below → Consider upgrading to 6.4 LTS
📚 Learning Purposes
→ Latest Version (6.8)
- Best documentation and tutorials available
- Active community support
10. Release Information Tracking and Community Resources
Bookmark these resources to stay current:
Official Resources
- Ember.js Official Blog – All release announcements
- Ember.js Releases Page – Current supported versions
- Ember.js LTS Page – LTS schedule
- GitHub Releases – Detailed changelogs
- endoflife.date/emberjs – Independent EOL tracking
Community Channels
- Ember.js Discord – Real-time community support
- Ember.js Forum – Technical discussions
- RFC (Request for Comments) – New feature proposals and discussions
Development Tools
- ember-try – Multi-version testing
- ember-cli-update – Automated upgrades
- Ember Observer – Addon compatibility checking
Ember.js’s systematic release policy exemplifies the philosophy that “boring is a virtue.” The 6-week release cycle, clear LTS policy, and SemVer adherence enable developers to maintain stable applications long-term. If starting a project today, choose 6.4 LTS to receive security patches until June 2026, or select 6.8 if you need the latest features.