Let me start in the most honest (and very real-life) way possible: most people who ask this are not really asking about versions. They are asking about risk.
“If I invest time and money in ITIL 4 now… will I become ‘outdated’ tomorrow?”

Take a breath. Because the game is not “ITIL® 4 vs. ITIL® (Version 5)”.
That kind of fight is the Post-it Civil War: fun for the audience, terrible for those who actually need to deliver working services and products in the real world.

So, is ITIL® 4 still worth it? Yes. And here’s why.

Also read: The Definitive Guide to ITIL 5

1) ITIL® 4 did not “die” with the launch of ITIL Version 5

There is no announced retirement date for ITIL® 4, and the expectation is that both versions will coexist in parallel for at least 12 months (so ongoing learning journeys are not destroyed).

In other words: nobody is going to pull the plug tomorrow and say,
“Sorry, your certificate just turned into a pumpkin.”

2) ITIL® 4 Foundation is still valid as a base (and that changes everything)

If you take (or already have) ITIL® 4 Foundation, you do not need to redo it to enter the advanced modules of ITIL® (Version 5). It is a recognized prerequisite for the advanced qualifications in the new scheme.

This is the sentence that calms both your wallet and your career:
your investment is not wasted.

3) The official message is “evolution, not rupture”

ITIL® (Version 5) is presented as an evolution to deal with a faster, more complex digital world, with more “AI in the middle of the road.”

And it explicitly reinforces compatibility with previous versions, precisely to protect investments in training, certifications, and organizational adoption.

So yes, ITIL® 4 is worth it.
But in the right way: as a foundation that prepares you to grow into the New ITIL at the right time.

Time-based scenarios: what actually makes sense (no guesswork)

Scenario A — You need to decide now (0–3 months)

Go with ITIL® 4 Foundation without guilt.

Why?

• It is still recognized as a prerequisite for ITIL® (Version 5) advanced modules.
• Parallel coexistence exists exactly so this transition does not turn into chaos.

When this is perfect:

• Promotion or interview coming,
• A formal requirement in a job posting,
• A career shift,
• Or you simply want to “speak the language” of ITSM as soon as possible.

Scenario B — You can plan (3–12 months)

Here you have two solid routes:

Route 1 (pragmatic):
ITIL® 4 Foundation now + plan the jump later.
You secure your base and avoid being stuck waiting for the “perfect moment” (which never exists).

Route 2 (fully aligned with the new):
Start directly with ITIL Foundation (Version 5).
This makes sense if your priority is to enter immediately into the New ITIL package:

• stronger product + service integration,
• digital experience,
• and an “AI-native” world.

Scenario C — You are looking 12+ months ahead

Now the game changes: ITIL Version 5 tends to become the “dominant language” of the market, especially around product, experience, and AI.

But again: since no retirement date for ITIL® 4 has been announced, the decision is still less about “version” and more about “your timing and objectives.”

When waiting actually makes sense

Waiting can be smart when:

• You have no urgency and want to start directly with ITIL Foundation (Version 5), riding the wave of new content.
• Your focus is exactly what Version 5 emphasizes:
  • product and service integration,
  • digital experience,
  • AI and automation context.
• You are aiming at specific advanced modules and want to align your studies with the new format (including planned open-book exams in some advanced modules).

Frequently Asked Questions (the ones that really unlock decisions)

1) “If I have ITIL® 4 Foundation, do I need to redo Foundation in Version 5?”
No. ITIL® 4 Foundation is recognized as a prerequisite for ITIL® (Version 5) advanced modules.

2) “How long will ITIL® 4 and ITIL® (Version 5) coexist?”
There is no announced end date. The expectation is at least 12 months in parallel.

3) “I have an unused ITIL® 4 Foundation voucher. Did I lose it?”
The guidance is that unused ITIL® 4 Foundation vouchers will be exchangeable for ITIL Foundation (Version 5) vouchers (with specific rules to be defined).

4) “How will exams work in ITIL® (Version 5)?”
The proposal is:

• Foundation and Practices: closed MCQ exams.
• Modules like Product, Service, Experience, Strategy, and Transformation: planned open-book exams.

5) “Are there extension modules?”
In ITIL® (Version 5), AI Governance appears as the extension module in the scheme.

If you want to stop “guessing” and start deciding with confidence, we built a landing page that solves this practically:

• Quick map: “Which path makes more sense for me: ITIL® 4 or ITIL Version 5?”
• Time-based decision checklist (0–3 / 3–12 / 12+ months)
• Learning path recommendation (for your career or for adoption in your company)

👉 Access the LP and choose your route by clicking here.