# Do you support Zend Optimizer?

> No. Zend Optimizer only worked with very old PHP versions. Use OPcache for speed and ionCube or SourceGuardian for encoded applications.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/faq/guides/do-you-support-zend-optimizer/

**No.** Zend Optimizer isn't available. It only ever worked with very old PHP versions (5.2 and earlier) and is no longer maintained.

## What to use instead

- **For speed:** PHP's built-in **OPcache** does what Zend Optimizer used to do, and more. See [Enabling PHP opcode caching](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/developers/php/enabling-php-opcode-caching/).
- **For encoded (protected) applications:** **ionCube Loader** and **SourceGuardian** are available as PHP extensions in cPanel → **Select PHP Version → Extensions**. See [Do you support ionCube PHP Encoder?](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/faq/guides/do-you-support-ioncube-php-encoder/) and [Do you support SourceGuardian?](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/faq/guides/do-you-support-sourceguardian/).
- **Zend Guard Loader** (the successor to Zend Optimizer) is available only with PHP 5.3, which is long out of support. Ask the application's vendor for a version that works with current PHP.

Not sure what your application needs? [Open a support ticket](https://dashboard.ruachost.com/submitticket.php) with the application name and the PHP version it asks for.