Difference between ServiceNow Xanadu and Zurich release

[HikmatUllaH]

Hello ServiceNow Community. I am a bit confuse, while selecting the Leaning course "Welcome to ServiceNow Platform". What are these release for example, Xanadu or Zurich, etc. Which one is the latest and what is the difference between them.

#release

[Prathmeshda · Accepted solution]

Hii @HikmatUllaH 

The latest release of ServiceNow is Zurich, after the release of Xanadu. ServiceNow releases take place twice a year. Xanadu was released in 2024 and Zurich will be released in 2025 

Key Focus Areas
Xanadu focuses on AI improvements, performance optimization, and fundamental AI agents in ITSM, CSM, and other products.
Zurich further extends these capabilities with sophisticated AI orchestration, data connectivity, and AI Control Tower and Workflow Data Fabric for developers

If this response proves useful, please mark it as Accept as Solution and Helpful👍

[GlideFather]

@Prathmeshda have you skipped Yokohama on purpose?

[Prathmeshda]

Hi @GlideFather 

I think you need to read the Question Twice, In the Question @HikmatUllaH  has clearly asked for either xanadu or zurich,  So I replied accordingly

[MTaranto]

Thank you for the explanation.

[DiveshTyagi]

Hi @HikmatUllaH ,

In ServiceNow, names like Xanadu, Zurich, etc., refer to platform release versions. ServiceNow follows a biannual release cycle (typically two major releases per year), and each release is named alphabetically.

For example:

• Tokyo

• Utah

• Vancouver

• Washington

• Xanadu

• Zurich

Each new release includes:

• New features and capabilities

• Enhancements to existing modules

• Performance improvements

• Security updates

• UI/UX improvements

• Deprecation of older functionality (in some cases)

Which one is the latest?

The latest release is the most recently published version by ServiceNow (you can check the official ServiceNow Product Documentation site to confirm the current release at the time of viewing). In general, you should select the course version that matches:

• Your company’s current instance release, or

• The latest available release if you are learning in a Personal Developer Instance (PDI).

What is the difference between releases?

The core platform concepts (like tables, forms, workflows, Flow Designer, scripting, ACLs, etc.) remain the same across releases. However, newer releases may include:

• Improved UI experiences (e.g., Next Experience enhancements)

• Expanded Flow Designer capabilities

• New AI/automation features

• Updated integrations

• Platform performance and security improvements

For foundational courses like “Welcome to ServiceNow Platform”, the differences between releases are usually minor from a learning perspective. The fundamentals remain consistent.

Recommendation

If you’re unsure, choose:

• The version that matches your instance, or

• The latest release available in the course list.

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If my response helped, please mark it as the accepted solution so others can benefit as well.

Regards,

Divesh Tyagi