Guide · updated
AEM 6.5 LTS or AEM as a Cloud Service: how to choose
Both paths keep you supported after AEM 6.5 core support ends on 28 February 2027. They differ in who runs the platform, how much code changes, and how often you will migrate again.
| AEM 6.5 LTS | AEM as a Cloud Service | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | You or your managed-services provider | Adobe |
| Java | 17 or 21 | Adobe-managed (Java 21 runtime) |
| Upgrade path | In-place from any supported 6.5 service pack | Code refactoring plus content transfer |
| Code changes | Smaller: removed legacy bundles (Screens, Social, Search&Promote, We.Retail) and Java upgrade fixes | Larger: immutable /apps, .cfg.json configs, supported run modes only, no Classic UI, removed APIs |
| Future upgrades | Service packs you schedule and test | Continuous; deprecated APIs are enforced by Cloud Manager |
| Best for | Heavily customised estates, strict data residency, intranets | Teams that want to stop running infrastructure and get new features automatically |
Choose 6.5 LTS when
- You need to stay supported before February 2027 and cannot fund a full migration this year.
- Your estate depends on features Cloud Service does not offer, such as AEM Communities, and replacing them is a separate project.
- You run AEM inside your own data centre for regulatory reasons.
Choose Cloud Service when
- Your team spends real time on patching, scaling and upgrades.
- You want access to features Adobe ships only on Cloud Service, including its AI agents.
- Your BPA report is dominated by mechanical findings (configs, deprecated APIs, dialogs) rather than unsupported features.
An LTS upgrade does not remove the Cloud Service work; it postpones it. If Cloud Service is the long-term target, fixing deprecated APIs now pays off on both paths.
Questions
Can I upgrade directly from AEM 6.5 to 6.5 LTS?
Yes. Adobe states that the upgrade to AEM 6.5 LTS is available for all supported 6.5 service packs, and that you can upgrade directly to any 6.5 LTS service pack.
Does AEM 6.5 LTS need Java 17?
Adobe lists Oracle Java 17 or Java 21 as the minimum for the in-place upgrade to 6.5 LTS.