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If you plan to create a website by 2023, choosing the right PHP development frameworks to meet your business requirements and save time and cost is important.  It is a difficult task to create a mobile app or website from scratch.

You will be recreating functions that were already invented and available for free. Why not use them and focus on creating business-related features for your digital products instead?

PHP development frameworks are a great way to develop your web app without reinventing the wheel. The best PHP framework for your needs requires some time and research because they aren’t all created equal. You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of each framework to find the one that best suits your business.

Sounds difficult? Don’t worry.

This blog will introduce you to the eight best PHP development frameworks available for web development. Let’s start by understanding the benefits of using PHP frameworks.

 

What is a PHP Framework?

Frameworks are simply collections of code modules that others have written but that talented developers use in their projects to implement functions they frequently use. PHP Framework is the name given to such a framework that is designed for PHP web development.

 

PHP Framework: Uses and Benefits

As standalone tools, languages are limited in their commercial use. Application frameworks are what allow web app development services providers to create industrial-grade software quickly and easily. The following are some of the advantages of using a PHP development frameworks:

 

Uses and Benefits of PHP Frameworks

 

1. Accelerate The Development Process:

The complexity of business has led to the increasing complexity of web apps that these businesses need. Some PHP Frameworks perform more complex tasks than others. The most suitable framework can help speed up complex and custom web application development that would have taken much longer if done by hand.

 

2. Adopt Best Coding Practices:

Professional PHP frameworks implement and adopt the best coding techniques, making code maintenance easier.

 

3. Teamwork Can Be Improved:

Standardized conventions in code writing improve collaboration. It is easier to understand standards and the intention behind a code line.

 

4. Improved Security:

PHP development frameworks are usually equipped with security features. Web developers use these features to protect their websites against external attacks.

 

5. Improved Performance:

Frameworks libraries usually provide the best implementation of logic. Using the code from Frameworks’ libraries instead of writing your implementation could benefit performance.

 

6. Automating Tasks:

Hire PHP Developers that perform several tasks common to web development. Frameworks automate simple tasks to improve the efficiency of web developers.

 

7. Efficient Unit Testing:

Native PHP Unit support is included in PHP Frameworks. It is also vital to know that it allows for efficient unit testing.

 

PHP Development Frameworks

Best PHP Frameworks For 2024 :Comparison Table

In this section we have compiled a comparison of the best PHP development frameworks for 2024.

 

Framework

Laravel

CodeIgniter

Symfony

Release Year 2011 2006 2005
Architecture MVC (Model-View-Controller) MVC Full-stack framework
Popularity Very popular Popular Popular
Learning Curve Beginner-friendly Beginner-friendly Steeper learning curve
Community Support Active community Active community Large and active community
Documentation Well-documented Well-documented Comprehensive documentation
ORM Eloquent ORM Built-in ORM (Active Record) Doctrine ORM
Routing Powerful routing system Simple routing system Flexible routing system
Templating Blade template engine Custom template engine Twig template engine
Database Support MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, etc. Multiple databases Multiple databases
Testing Built-in testing support Limited built-in testing Built-in testing support (PHPUnit)
Security Comprehensive security features Basic security features Comprehensive security features
Extensions Large ecosystem of packages Decent number of libraries and plugins Broad range of packages and bundles
Performance Efficient performance optimizations Lightweight framework Good performance optimizations

PHP Development Frameworks Enterprises Should Use

Below are some of the most popular PHP development frameworks and their ability to help you develop applications quickly.

 

Top PHP Development Frameworks

 

1. Laravel

Laravel is an open-source PHP framework that uses the MVC pattern to help developers manage their coding more efficiently and easily. It was originally designed as an advanced alternative to CodeIgniter.

However, its popularity has grown among PHP developers because it allows them to code and manage sophisticated and complex web applications. Today, it is one of the most widely used PHP development frameworks.

Laravel gives developers access to some features that make them more efficient and help reduce the need for repetitive tasks. Among the most notable are database abstraction, job queueing, web sockets with powerful capabilities, and scaffolding for authentication.

Laravel also offers a powerful package system with built-in functionality to help developers create web applications even faster.

 

❖ Laravel Framework Benefits

  • Enhances complex apps by helping developers customize them.
  • Web applications run more quickly and securely thanks to Laravel.
  • It includes various practical tools, like Artisan. Programmers can automate repetitive processes using this built-in command tool.
  • It comes with a database-migration system that allows developers to safely move data from one platform to another.

2. Yii

Yii is an object-oriented PHP framework known for its performance when building modern web applications. Yii is an object-oriented PHP framework. This framework is great because it can be used for any web app.

It’s an easy-to-install universal programming framework useful for custom website development services providers who want to create fast, reliable, and secure applications.

Gii, a powerful code generator for classes, is another feature of Yii. This extension offers a web-based interface for code that allows developers to generate modules and models and interactively get the desired code.

 

❖ Yii Framework Benefits

  • It improves the performance of web applications.
  • The developers don’t have to repeatedly write the same SQL statements (they can model database data using objects).
  • The large community makes it easy to find help for a project.
  • The programme is simple to set up and has good security. It’s suitable for forums, e-commerce etc.
  • Programmers can customize the core code.

 

3. Phalcon

Phalcon is a PHP development framework that allows developers to build fast (really, really fast) websites. The full-stack PHP Framework was originally written in C++ and C. It’s delivered in C extension form, so developers without a C background don’t have to worry.

Phalcon’s speed and innovative architecture are two of the unique characteristics it has. It is easy to install and one of the best frameworks for creating complex apps. Phalcon has a forms builder, which allows developers to create a simple form that can be used to collect and present data to users.

 

❖ Phalcon Framework Benefits

  • Optimises performance by utilizing memory efficiently, creating faster sites.
  • Features include caching, asset manager, universal autoloader and multilingual support.
  • For developers that want to work with complex systems, it is the ideal tool.
  • It is a flexible system with simple installation.

 

Hire PHP Developers - CTA

4. CakePHP

CakePHP, one of the oldest PHP frameworks available, is a delight. CakePHP simplifies the work of CakePHP development company due to its main ingredients, such as code cache, validation, database access, translation, etc.

The backward compatibility of CakePHP allows developers to create visually pleasing websites. It is crucial for attracting users, particularly when creating sites for commercial purposes. CakePHP has many security features, such as SQL prevention and cross-site scripting.

 

❖ CakePHP Framework Benefits

  • The CRUD principle (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) is a great beginner framework.
  • Simple installation
  • It is perfect for commercial websites or e-commerces due to its ability to style the pages with attractive visual features.
  • The documentation and forums are excellent for developers.

5. CodeIgniter

The CodeIgniter framework is lightweight (only 1.1MB – the user guide is bigger than the framework!) It is suitable for creating dynamic websites. It provides a variety of pre-built modules for developing full-featured Web apps.

It has many useful features, such as easy security, encryption, and error handling. Several libraries that are commonly used by developers are included. It’s a great framework for CodeIgniter development company looking to streamline tasks and write faster code.

 

❖ CodeIgniter Framework Benefits

  • The documentation and simple process make it suitable for beginners.
  • The MVB architecture, as well as the security tools built in, are key features.
  • CodeIgniter’s small size makes it faster than most other frameworks.
  • It generates clean URLs.

6. Symfony

Symfony, an open-source framework, is the most effective for creating complex business websites. It uses an MVC pattern and offers a variety of command-line tools that help developers save time when developing websites.

Symfony allows programmers to write code with fewer lines. It’s also about 7% faster. It makes applications run more efficiently. This PHP development framework offers features for customization that make web applications more user-friendly.

The component system of this framework is very powerful, allowing you to create complex products with many functionalities using only selected features and functions.

 

❖ Symfony Framework Benefits

  • Installation and configuration are easy.
  • This package contains reusable PHP libraries and components.
  • Flexibility is key.
  • Symfony is used in content management systems like Drupal and other frameworks, including Laravel.
  • A large and active community that offers support and help.

7. Laminas Project

The Laminas Project, formerly known as Zend, is an object-oriented PHP development framework  which allows developers to create high-quality websites. Zend components can be extended because they use object-oriented concepts like inheritance and interfaces.

Developers can customize the code. Agile teams highly value it because of its security, ease of installation, documentation, and low-configuration mechanism.

 

❖ Laminas Project Framework Benefits

  • This MVC component implements several useful features, such as data encryption and serialization.
  • Integration with outside libraries is possible.
  • Zend offers components that make it easier to create tasks for forms and authentication services.
  • There is a good community and a lot of documentation.

 

8. FuelPHP

FuelPHP is a flexible, extendable PHP framework that supports the MVC pattern. It also uses HMVC as its architecture model. This framework is a great way to save time while building complex applications.

FuelPHP is another PHP development framework known for its security system that uses URI filtering and output encoding. This framework is a great solution for a variety of platform sizes.

 

❖ FuelPHP Framework Benefits

  • This system includes RESTFUL implementation, a URL Routing System, vulnerabilities protection, and a cache system.
  • Easy to use and configure.
  • It is a large community which regularly creates, improves and updates packages and extensions.
  • Has an Auth package that includes components with authentication functionality and authorization for enhanced security.

9. Fat-Free Framework F3

The Fat-Free is another incredible PHP development framework that is marketed as a powerful but small package with codebases that don’t exceed 1MB (currently 90kb). The framework doesn’t offer as many features but is extremely fast.

It has many useful features relating to security and authentication. The plugin functionality allows Laravel development company to add features such as image processing, unit testing and shopping carts on commercial websites.

 

❖ Fat-Free Framework Benefits

  • Compact and very fast
  • Features a powerful Plugin System that allows greater extensibility
  • Install and use it easily.
  • Multi-protocol caching engine and URL routing are among the advanced features included.

10. Slim

Slim is a PHP development framework that can be used to build an API. Slim is a “microframework”, a minimalist framework without many features in full-stack frameworks like Laravel and Symfony.

Slim is a microframework that specialises in handling HTTP requests and responses. Slim is the lightest codebase in this list, with a size of around 60 kb. Components can be used to build web applications or prototypes.

 

❖ Slim Framework Benefits

  • Requests and responses for HTTP are handled by this small framework.
  • Performance and speed
  • Features advanced URI features, such as parameters and pattern-matching
  • Many operations are supported to manipulate and query HTTP messages.

 

PHP Development Frameworks

11. Zend

Zend is a PHP development framework that’s easy to use and open source. It allows you to build enterprise-level sites with rich features.It uses ideas like inheritance and interfaces because it is an object-oriented framework. Its components are highly customizable and extensible. PHP web development company can customize them without having to touch the core code.

Zend’s code is more structured and reusable than other popular PHP frameworks. It makes it the perfect option for initiatives at the enterprise level. Integration of third-party templates and libraries is possible with Zend. Even when managing a large database, it never causes an application to slow down.

 

❖ Zend Framework Benefits

  • It offers incredible performance, speed and security.
  • Based on Agile methodologies and following PHP best practices
  • It has very detailed documentation, and there is a large developer community.
  • The framework is HTML5 compatible and supports many input data types.

What Is The Best PHP Framework For Web Development?

There are numerous PHP development frameworks available. Every web development firm and programmer has a different set of preferences. It is important to evaluate each PHP framework based on the task, the PHP development company preference and the expertise to complete the task.

All frameworks above are highly efficient, have great technical specifications and are used widely for website development. There is no one size fits all. Find out what you need for your business and then choose the best option. Tell us in the comments which PHP development frameworks you prefer and which you will use in 2024.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q1: What Are The Top PHP Development Frameworks For Enterprises?

The top PHP development frameworks for enterprises are Laravel, Symfony, CodeIgniter, Yii, and Zend Framework.

 

Q2: Why Should Enterprises Use PHP Frameworks?

PHP development frameworks provide a structured and organized approach to web development, offering features like MVC architecture, database integration, security mechanisms, and code reusability. They save time, enhance productivity, and ensure scalability for enterprise applications.

 

Q3. What Makes Laravel A Popular Choice For Enterprise Development?

Laravel is popular due to its elegant syntax, extensive documentation, rich ecosystem, and a wide range of built-in features. It simplifies common tasks, offers robust security features, supports efficient database management, and provides excellent community support.

 

Q4: What Advantages Does Symfony Offer For Enterprise Development?

The flexibility, scalability, and modularity of Symfony are well known. It makes it simple for developers to create sophisticated enterprise applications. The independence of Symfony’s components allows PHP development services to adapt and integrate them in accordance with project requirements.

 

Q5: How Does Codeigniter Benefit Enterprises In PHP Development?

It’s simple to learn, lightweight, and quick to use CodeIgniter. It has a compact footprint, which makes it perfect for enterprise application development and deployment that happens quickly. Additionally, CodeIgniter has good performance, thorough documentation, and an easy-to-understand design.