As technology advances, websites have become increasingly complex. However, the payoff is that they offer more features and value than before. Approximately 77.4% of websites utilize PHP as their server-side programming language, and most web developers acquire it to create websites competently.
With a plethora of options at one’s disposal, the choice of the best PHP Frameworks for Web Development can be daunting. Our research aims to provide an understanding of the various frameworks available in order to assist you pick the best fit for your project.
What is a PHP framework?
PHP frameworks act as a platform for creating web applications with the programming language PHP. Such frameworks are beneficial in their provision of libraries for the most commonly used functions, thus saving developers from having to write all the code manually. These foundations not only streamline the development process but also allow developers to jump right into creating applications without the uncertainty of knowing where to begin from.
What to Look for in A PHP Framework?
When searching for the best PHP frameworks to utilize, it is important to consider several key factors. These factors include:
Technical requirements
Depending on your project, it is important to consider the PHP extensions and databases that the framework supports. Check the framework’s targeted PHP version and confirm that it is compatible with all the external tools required for the project to work smoothly.
Features
Projects generally necessitate particular features to be operational (like authentication, protection, caching, templating, and so on). Carefully analyze each framework’s offers to ensure it meets all your feature expectations.
Simplicity
When evaluating the scope of a project, you should determine how complex it is. For short tasks, an unassuming PHP framework may provide the best performance. Despite their capability and durability, complicated PHP frameworks are not always the best option and should only be utilized when the project’s complexity demands it or when there is a chance it may grow and develop in the future.
Community Support
A healthy framework always has strong support from its developers. The comprehensive documentation clearly indicates a good framework; the community should be knowledgeable enough to guide new developers when encountering common errors.
Choosing the best PHP Frameworks for Your Business
When selecting a PHP framework, it is crucial to consider several factors in order of priority. These indicators can help you make an informed decision for your business:
Popularity
Popularity is not necessarily an indicator of quality, but having more developers using a particular framework typically means it’s strong and dependable and that it has an active and engaged community. Both of these factors are key considerations when choosing a framework for your project, as it will provide you with the best possible code and an additional support system to guide you through any issues that arise during development.
Maintenance and Long-term Support
When choosing a PHP framework, ensure it is supported by an active development team or community. Regular updates, bug fixes, and security patches ensure your web application is always secure and running on the latest technology. Long-term maintenance and support guarantee a secure and reliable platform, ensuring your web application’s success and longevity.
Features
Selecting the right framework for your project is essential, and it all depends on the purpose of the project. The more features a framework provides, the more versatile it becomes, so you need to make sure that the framework meets your requirements before settling on it.
Developer Availability
Evaluate the availability of developers skilled in each framework when looking to hire PHP developers. Mainstream frameworks have larger talent pools, providing more hiring flexibility, speed, and lower costs. Less common skills will be more scarce and expensive to recruit. Ensure the framework you choose has an adequate supply of qualified PHP developers to hire now and support future growth.
What Are the Best 5 PHP Frameworks in 2023?
Below are some of the most popular PHP frameworks available, chosen for their efficiency in facilitating rapid application development:
- Laravel
Developed on top of multiple Symfony components, Laravel is an open-source PHP framework made to facilitate the creation of advanced web applications. With an array of practical tools and a pre-established methodology, Laravel strives to make coding neat and manageable while adhering to industry best practices and including a built-in testing framework.
Pros
- Feature-rich
- Laravel Blade Templating Engine
- Artisan simplifies database migrations and automates repetitive tasks.
- Advanced monitoring capabilities using Laravel Horizon and Telescope
- Intuitive database manipulation with Eloquent ORM
Laravel has become an extensively adopted platform for building web applications of various magnitudes, from small to full-fledged, corporate-level projects. It is famous for its syntax, wide range of abilities, and strong developer network.
- Symfony
Since its launch in 2005, Symfony has become an increasingly popular open-source web application framework used by developers to build websites, APIs, and microservices. The framework is designed to follow the legacy of PHP precisely. It consists of libraries, tools, and guidelines for developing PHP code which are built on a collection of reusable components.
Pros
- Highly flexible and customizable to fit your needs
- Reliable and robust for large-scale enterprise apps
- Exemplary ecosystem with a large developer community
- Excellent documentation
- Extensive testing framework
Symfony is a go-to tool when constructing any web application due to its set of top-notch features and its great emphasis on performance and scalability. Notably, the Symfony community consistently contributes to an extensive collection of reusable PHP components specifically designed for web applications.
- Cake PHP
CakePHP is an open-source web framework powered by PHP that facilitates the construction of web applications. Utilizing the model-view-controller (MVC) design pattern, this platform uses a convention-over-configuration approach that reduces the number of required configurations compared to other frameworks.
Pros
- Streamlined Coding with Convention-based Development
- MVC pattern
- Easy testing capabilities
- Built-in Security Features
- Extensive documentation and Active Community
CakePHP is a popular framework amongst developers for creating web applications, as it is straightforward and provides clear documentation. It relies on the convention-over-configuration method.
- CodeIgniter
CodeIgniter, a lightweight and user-friendly open-source PHP web application framework, provides an effortless way to create dynamic websites with minimal installation requirements.
Pros
- Follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern
- Offers high flexibility to accommodate developers’ preferred coding style and component selection.
- Effective management of HTTP requests.
Amongst developers, CodeIgniter is renowned for its streamlined usage, minimal file size, and superior speed. Additionally, its documentation is concise and easy to understand.
- Yii 2
Yii 2, the open-source PHP web application framework, has been improved and is now equipped with the latest features to build powerful web applications, APIs, and microservices. It utilizes the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern, boasting exceptional speed, security, and ease of use.
Pros
- Exceptional performance with fast execution
- Built-in security features
- Emphasis on rapid development with code generation tools
- Comprehensive documentation and Strong community
- Efficient unit and functional testing
Yii 2 has earned a stellar reputation among developers who value quick, safe, and uncomplicated frameworks for constructing web applications. This particular framework has achieved distinction for its speed, security, and customizability, particularly in creating high-volume enterprise applications.
Finishing Words
When it comes to back-end web development, PHP is not a mandatory choice. However, given its widespread use, it’s worth considering. If you decide to use PHP, you may wonder which PHP framework best suits your development needs.
We have gathered a collection of the top PHP frameworks that can help meet your requirements. Making the best selection should be simpler now.
For more detailed advice, Reach out to an expert PHP development company today.
