Get the list of outdated Composer packages

Update:

Since Composer v1.1 (May 2016) the following commands are available:

• composer outdated shows you the list of outdated packages
• composer show -l returns the complete list of packages. packages in need of update are colored red. the (still) up-2-date ones are colored green.
• both commands accept the parameter --direct to show only direct dependencies in the listing

Referencing:

https://github.com/composer/composer/issues/3771

Composer Plugins

There are some Composer Plugins showing the list of outdated packages:

1. composer-versions-check – https://github.com/Soullivaneuh/composer-versions-check

   The Composer Plugin called “composer-versions-check” shows outdated packages from last major versions after using the update command. (Latest is ..)

   This plugin runs “update” first, then shows possible “upgrade” indications.

   A Composer dry-run isn’t supported, yet.

   

2. vinkla/climb – https://github.com/vinkla/climb

   Climb is a “Composer version manager tool” inspired by npm-check-updates.

   It shows the outdates package version and indicates “upgrades” to latest versions.