Are you tired of complex coding and endless debugging while creating a PHP website? Do you want to streamline your development process and deliver high-quality projects faster? Then, you’re in the right place!
This beginner’s guide presents the top 10 best PHP frameworks to make your life easier. From Laravel to CodeIgniter, we’ve provided a comprehensive list of the best PHP frameworks in the market. So, ready to revolutionize your development experience and easily create stunning websites? Let’s dive in!
PHP: An Overview
PHP, or Hypertext Preprocessor (formerly Personal Home Page), is an open-source server-side scripting language widely used for creating websites and web apps.
As of October 2022, over 75% of all websites still use PHP, and its popularity shows no signs of abating. It empowers some of the most popular websites, such as WordPress, Facebook, and Wikipedia, just to name a few.
PHP frameworks for web development have been available since 1995, and the market is currently flooded with various types of PHP frameworks like Laravel, CodeIgniter, Symfony, and others.
This blog will discuss the 10 best PHP frameworks for beginners. These frameworks have been chosen based on their popularity, ease of use, and performance.
Why Should You Use the Top PHP Frameworks?
There are various reasons to select PHP frameworks. Let’s look at some of them.
- Speed of development: PHP frameworks provide pre-built modules and tools that simplify everyday tasks, enabling developers to build web applications faster.
- Standardization: Frameworks enforce a structure for code organization and development practices, leading to more consistent, maintainable code.
- Security: PHP Frameworks often have built-in security features, such as protection against SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other common threats.
- Community support: Popular PHP frameworks have large user communities, providing access to a wealth of resources, tutorials, and support.
- Scalability: Frameworks are designed to handle large and complex web applications, making it easier to scale applications as needed.
You can take the assistance of a reliable PHP Development Company to build robust websites & web apps.
List of top 10 PHP Frameworks in 2023
1. Laravel
The first one among the PHP frameworks list is Laravel. It is a free, open-source PHP framework designed for web app development.
Laravel is known for its elegant syntax and its ability to handle complex web applications. It also offers robust features, including routing, middleware, blade templates, and an ORM.
Quick Specifications
- Released: June 2011
- PHP Version: 8.0 – 8.1
- Database support for MySQL 5.6+, PostgreSQL 9.4+, SQLite 3.8.8+, SQL Server 2017+
2. Symfony
Symfony is a robust PHP framework ideal for large-scale web application development. It is known for its stability, scalability, and flexibility. It also offers an extensive library of reusable components that can be used to build complex web applications.
You can hire PHP developers to create a website on the Symfony framework.
Quick Specifications
- Released: October 2005
- PHP Version: ≥ 8.1
- Database support for MySQL and PostgreSQL and also NoSQL databases like MongoDB.
3. Codelgniter
CodeIgniter is a lightweight PHP framework that is ideal for beginners. It has a simple installation process, and its small footprint makes it perfect for small-scale projects.
CodeIgniter is known for its fast performance and ability to handle large amounts of data. To build a website on this framework, you must choose a top-rated PHP web development company.
Quick Specifications
- Released: February 2006
- PHP version: 7.4+ (including 8.2)
- Database support for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite3
4. CakePHP
CakePHP is a popular PHP framework designed for rapid web application development. It was released in 2005 and has become one of the most popular PHP frameworks. CakePHP is known for its simplicity and ease of use.
It also offers a range of features, including a built-in ORM, caching, and security.
Quick Specifications
- Released: April 2005
- PHP 7.2 (minimum), 7.4 recommended
- Database support for MySQL 5.6+, MariaDB 5.6+, PostgreSQL 9.4+, SQLite 3.8, SQL Server 2012+.
5. Laminas Project
The open-source successor to Zend Framework is Laminas Project. It was first released in 2006 and has become one of the most popular PHP frameworks.
Zend Framework is known for its modular architecture, allowing developers to use only the components they need for their projects.
It offers many features, that includes an MVC architecture, caching, and security.
Quick Specifications
- Released: February 2006
- PHP >= 7.2
- Database support for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite3
6. Yii Framework
It was launched in 2008 and has become one of the most popular PHP frameworks. Yii is known for its speed, security, and scalability. It provides several features, including an ORM and an easy-to-use interface.
Quick Specifications
- Released: December 2008
- PHP >= 5.4.0, 7+ recommended
- Database support for SQLite, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, or Oracle databases
7. Phalcon
It was first released in 2012 and has become one of the most popular PHP frameworks. Phalcon is known for its speed and efficiency.
It also offers a range of features, including an ORM, caching, and security. A leading PHP development company can easily incorporate these features into your website.
Quick Specifications
- Released: November 2012
- PSR extension
- PHP 7.4 + (latest version recommended)
8. FuelPHP
FuelPHP is known for its modular architecture, allowing developers to use only the components required for their projects. It provides MVC architecture, security, and caching.
Quick Specifications
- Released: June 2011
- PHP 5.4+
- Any web server
9. Slim (Mirc0-Framework)
Another well-liked PHP micro-framework called Slim aids programmers in fast developing effective APIs and web apps. Slim-based web services and apps have a simple architecture.
Quick Overview
- Released: September 2010
- PHP 7.2+
- Web server with URL rewriting
10. Fat-Free Framework (F3)
Fat-Free Framework (F3) is a simple-to-utilize PHP micro-framework developed with keeping minimalism in mind. This framework has been around since 2009; it’s a mature framework you can trust.
Quick Overview
- Released: 2009
- PHP 5.4+
- Any web server
- Database support for MySQL, SQLite, MSSQL/Sybase, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.
The Bottom Line
The PHP frameworks mentioned above are some of the best for beginners. Each framework offers unique features and benefits, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and project requirements.
Before making a decision, it is crucial to consider the size and complexity of your project, as well as your experience and comfort level with PHP.
