SiteGround has implemented a unique server setup that allows each customer to choose which version of PHP to use for his / her account. What is more, the customer can even use different PHP versions for different directories in one and the same hosting account.  The PHP versions currently supported are: PHP 4.4 PHP 5.0,  PHP 5.1, PHP 5.2, PHP 5.3,  PHP 6.0 and a special secure version of PHP 5.2 with Suhosin patch.

In order to change the PHP version for your account, follow these steps. Go to cPanel, File Manager and choose "Web Root (public_html/www)". There create a new file (or edit the existing one) called .htaccess and add the following line:

To switch to PHP 4.4:

AddHandler application/x-httpd-php4 .php .php4 .php3

To switch to PHP 5.0:

AddHandler application/x-httpd-php5 .php .php5 .php4 .php3

To switch to PHP 5.1:

AddHandler application/x-httpd-php51 .php .php5 .php4 .php3

To switch to PHP 5.2:

AddHandler application/x-httpd-php52 .php .php5 .php4 .php3

To switch to PHP 5.3:

AddHandler application/x-httpd-php53 .php .php5 .php4 .php3

To switch to PHP 6.0:

AddHandler application/x-httpd-php6 .php .php5 .php4 .php3

To switch to the secure PHP 5.2 with Suhosin patch:

AddHandler application/x-httpd-php52s .php .php5 .php4 .php3

This setting will apply recursively to all of the subdirectories. In case you'd like to have a different version of PHP in a subdirectory, create a new .htaccess file in it with the directive for the desired PHP version in it.

If you want to be able to use different PHP versions on a per-folder basis, you can sign up for a hosting account at SiteGround. We offer the best PHP hosting and our support team is ready to assist you with any PHP questions/problems you may have.