UPDATE: Sitecore XP 10.4 now available in May 2024!
Sitecore users and developers have been eagerly anticipating the Sitecore 10.4 release date, but so far Sitecore has not provided a definite release date. This has left many wondering when they can expect the next major update to the popular content management system.
Sitecore’s Version History
Looking back at past releases provides insights into what we can expect for Sitecore 10.4.
Sitecore 8 was first released in 2014 and incrementally updated up to version 8.2 in Aug 2016.
Sitecore 9 debuted in late 2017 and saw ongoing enhancements up to 9.3 in November 2019.
Each major release brought significant new capabilities and improvements. For example, Sitecore 9 delivered SXA site-building tools, while version 10 provided major headless CMS capabilities like the GraphQL Content API.
Typically, Sitecore has advanced to a new major version every 2-3 years. Following this pattern, speculators anticipate Sitecore 11 could emerge around 2024-2025.
No Sign of Sitecore 10.4 release date Yet
Sitecore 10.0 was first released in August 2020 and 10.1 arrived in Feb 2021. Sitecore 10.2 debuted in November 2021 and 10.3 came in Dec 2022.
Consistently, major point releases like 10.2 or 10.3 arrive around 6 months after the previous version. However, as of October 2023, there has been no official word from Sitecore on plans for a 10.4 release.
Sitecore’s Shift to Cloud
Industry experts speculate that Sitecore's accelerated focus on cloud delivery may be impacting its on-premises release schedule. Products like Sitecore Experience Cloud (XC) and Content Hub are strategic priorities that require significant development resources.
In 2022, Sitecore announced plans to make XC its primary cloud offering moving forward. The company has been channeling R&D efforts into XC to meet growing cloud demand. This encompassing shift may limit bandwidth for on-prem upgrades like 10.4.
It's also worth noting that since version 10, Sitecore has decoupled major point releases from new .NET framework updates. For example, 10.3 does not require .NET 6. This reduces pressure to align major upgrades with Microsoft's roadmap.
The Road Ahead
While Sitecore has not provided a date, they have confirmed future feature releases are planned. In a statement, the company said:
So while 10.4 has not been slated for any particular release window, Sitecore indicates they will continue enhancing their on-premises CMS and experience platform. But the cadence may be slower than in the past.
What Might Sitecore 10.4 Bring?
With no official word on features, we can only speculate what Sitecore 10.4 might have in store. Based on recent trends, potential enhancements could include:
Further GraphQL API expansions - Added content types, more robust filtering, custom endpoints
Commerce improvements - Enhanced experience profiling and personalization for Shopper
Marketing automation - More journey orchestration and automation options
Integration with XC tools - Tighter integration with XC's experience analytics
Container deployment support - Ability to deploy Sitecore via Docker containers
Azure resource integration - More OOTB connections to Azure services like Search and CDN
Hybrid headless - Making decoupled architecture optional rather than all-or-nothingSitecore is likely balancing innovation across on-prem, SaaS, and cloud-native. So 10.4 may be somewhat lighter on features compared to past major releases. However, the company has strategic incentives to entice customers to stay current rather than linger on older versions too long.
When Will Sitecore 10.4 Arrive?
Sitecore's shift to the cloud appears to be recalibrating its on-premises release tempo. While 10.4 is no doubt in development, its delivery date remains up in the air.
Some speculate Sitecore may forego 10.4 and go straight to 11, but there are drawbacks to skipping a release. Sitecore will want to extend 10 to incorporate key innovations that position the platform for the future.
The extended gap since 10.3 points to a release in late 2023 or beyond. Sitecore is likely watching competitor moves, customer feedback, and other market factors to find the optimal timing.
For now, Sitecore customers can continue leveraging the powerful capabilities of 10.3 and earlier versions. Through modules and custom development, many new features can be added without waiting for an official upgrade.
Sitecore has a strong track record of evolving its solutions to align with customer needs. Regardless of when 10.4 emerges, Sitecore's robust on-premises capabilities will remain vital for experience delivery well into the future.
Stay Tuned!
QEdge will keep on updating the latest trend on 10.4
