# Which version of percona sever for mysql should I use for production **URL:** \ **Category:** Percona Server for MySQL 8.0\ **Created:** [January 10, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/which-version-of-percona-sever-for-mysql-should-i-use-for-production/27688 "2024-01-10T15:25:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![egel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@egel](https://forums.percona.com/u/egel)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/which-version-of-percona-sever-for-mysql-should-i-use-for-production/27688/1 "2024-01-10T15:25:39Z")
Hello everyone, I’m in the process of planning the upgrade for my production servers to MySQL 8, and I would greatly appreciate any insights regarding which version to choose. Currently, I’ve compiled and am testing version 8.1.0-1 on Gentoo, which appears to be based on MySQL 8.0. However, I find myself a bit confused. According to [Percona’s support lifecycle](https://www.percona.com/services/policies/percona-software-support-lifecycle), the supported versions include Percona Distribution for MySQL 8.0 or Percona Server for MySQL 8.0. On the other hand, the [MySQL blog](https://dev.mysql.com/blog-archive/introducing-mysql-innovation-and-long-term-support-lts-versions/) suggests that if I want the latest features and improvements, I should consider the Innovation release track (e.g., 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, etc.). For bug fixes only, it recommends using 8.0.x releases (e.g., 8.0.35, 8.0.36, 8.0.37, etc.). I’ve also come across the [Percona Distribution for MySQL 8.1 release notes](https://docs.percona.com/percona-distribution-for-mysql/innovation-release/release-notes-ps-8.1.upd2.html). Any insights or guidance would be highly appreciated. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![matthewb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forums.percona.com/matthewb/32/34_2.png) [@matthewb](https://forums.percona.com/u/matthewb)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/which-version-of-percona-sever-for-mysql-should-i-use-for-production/27688/2 "2024-01-10T16:15:50Z")
Hello @egel, if you want stable with bugfixes, use 8.0.\*. If you want latest, bleeding edge, use 8.2. 8.1 isn’t even available for download from MySQL website. ---
**Author:** ![egel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@egel](https://forums.percona.com/u/egel)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/which-version-of-percona-sever-for-mysql-should-i-use-for-production/27688/3 "2024-01-10T17:29:32Z")
Thanks. Really appreciate your time. What would be preferred percona server please? As well, please correct me if I am wrong, It seems that I can inplace downgrade from 8.1 to 8.0.\* isn’t? Regards ---
**Author:** ![egel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@egel](https://forums.percona.com/u/egel)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/which-version-of-percona-sever-for-mysql-should-i-use-for-production/27688/4 "2024-01-10T17:36:33Z")
Sorry, small update: I’ve compiled the source from there: [GitHub - percona/percona-server at release-8.1.0-1](https://github.com/percona/percona-server/tree/release-8.1.0-1) Using commit: 74ca9072a3c0c7c2e04b8536659986b18f848304 So, considering above, I understand that this version is 8.0.34 + percona enrichment. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![matthewb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forums.percona.com/matthewb/32/34_2.png) [@matthewb](https://forums.percona.com/u/matthewb)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/which-version-of-percona-sever-for-mysql-should-i-use-for-production/27688/5 "2024-01-10T18:11:36Z")
Hello @egel, Here the release notes for Percona MySQL 8.1 where you can see the changes between Community and Percona. [Percona Server for MySQL 8.1.0-1 (2023-11-27) - Percona Server for MySQL](https://docs.percona.com/percona-server/innovation-release/release-notes/8.1.0-1.html) > It seems that I can inplace downgrade from 8.1 to 8.0.\* isn’t? No, that is not supported. To downgrade any major version you must dump/reload. ---
**Author:** ![egel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@egel](https://forums.percona.com/u/egel)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 6:51pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/which-version-of-percona-sever-for-mysql-should-i-use-for-production/27688/6 "2024-01-10T18:51:11Z")
Thanks. So, perhaps I am using percona (which is seems the best choice). And I need stability (for example support of mysql\_native\_password as long as possible ), then I need to choice the 8.0.35 right (since , for example, the mysql\_native\_password would be there till EOL)? Sorry, I am little bit confused therefore the questions. Best Regards, ---
**Author:** ![matthewb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forums.percona.com/matthewb/32/34_2.png) [@matthewb](https://forums.percona.com/u/matthewb)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/which-version-of-percona-sever-for-mysql-should-i-use-for-production/27688/7 "2024-01-10T18:53:28Z")
Yes, `mysql_native_password` is still present in 8.0.35