Top PHP Frameworks in 2019

PHP is a programming language that provides users with a basic structure to build applications. In 2018, PHP powered around 80% of all websites . Using a broad spectrum of PHP web framework ecosystems, developers can create a safe, user-friendly, and sophisticated mobile app in short terms. 

Let us imagine that you need a mobile application for your business and you want to build it with the PHP framework. Here, the question arises “How to decide which PHP framework is best for you?” Since there are too many options, to find the best framework becomes challenging.

But don’t panic. We are here to help! In this article, we have gathered:

• Tips on how to choose the framework that is best suited for your project ·         
• The top four PHP solutions and their main features
• The top four PHP frameworks comparison table 

to make it easy for you to choose the best PHP framework for your business.

Read on!

Tips on how to choose a PHP framework

To select your future framework in PHP, you need to consider the following parameters:

The goal

The goal of your project is the main decision-making factor for the future framework. If you are going to create an online store, you need to choose the light-weight PHP solution. In addition, the framework should support online payments and have a fast database load time.

Hosting

Hosting is another factor you need to consider. Whether you have individual, cloud, or shared hosting, consider that most PHP frameworks require additional customization of the hosting environment.

Community

If your PHP framework is frequently used, you will receive support from its publishers and service companies while getting more external packages and libraries.

Security

Security is essential for the best for web development in PHP. Since websites are potentially vulnerable, you need to select the framework that ensures advanced security functions like Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), SQL Injection.

Documentation

Proper documentation will help your developers to understand the framework, libraries, and plugins. For this, consider the volume, nature, and quality of the framework documentation.

When you know about the most important factors for future PHP solution, let's move further. Below you will find the list of top PHP frameworks and their advantages.

The 4 best PHP frameworks

As we have said, there are numerous PHP solutions, currently presented on the market.

The image below shows the popular PHP frameworks and the percentage of their users.

Among other PHP frameworks, Laravel, Code Igniter, and Symfony are definitely the leaders.

Still, we chose quality over quantity. According to our experience, the best PHP frameworks are:

•     Symfony
•     Laravel
•     CakePHP
•     Yii 2

These frameworks allow creating, not only a high-end online store, but also an enterprise level software. Find out more about their main advantages below.

  1.   Symfony

Since its launch in 2015, Symfony framework provides web developers with built-in functionality for testing, as well as reusable code and components. They are Cache, ClassLoader, Form, Mailer, Messenger, suitable for any project requirements, even the development of enterprise-level software. This framework also has other benefits, including:

Fast loading speed. The app performance is essential. Since it determines whether users will use it or not. Symfony loads its REST API during 1.8 ms. In this way, Simony is the fastest PHP framework. 

Flexibility. Symfony adopts to any project requirements. The framework includes Event Dispatcher, making Symfony completely configurable. Besides, each Symfony component is operated independently.

Advanced stability. SensioLabs company, the Symfony developers, have supported this framework since its launch. So, you can contact them concerning any issues. Besides, to provide users with exceptional stability, all the minor Symfony versions are integrated with API, and defined by public interfaces.

We used this PHP framework to transform the existing CPA product into a white-label mobile marketing platform.

The client required us to build a mobile app that handles planned traffic growth.

•     Our team expanded a data processing toolset to make it more scalable.
•     We have added new parameters and features
•     Besides, we ensured the smooth Android app operation using Symfony 4.

As a result, the client received a fully featured mobile marketing platform with over 50 parameters, 20 metrics, and an intuitive interface. Find out more about this project by reading the case study . 

   2.  Laravel

From the beginning, the main goal of Laravel is to create feature-rich web applications. Laravel has a well-built templating engine that performs a large variety of regular tasks such as RESTful routing, caching, user management, and authentication. This way, Laravel sped up the development process. Why do we use Laravel?

Advanced security. As we have said, high-level security is one of the essential PHP framework features. Laravel has advanced security that eliminates any malware activity. With Laravel, you receive a risk-free framework, secure from unintended and hidden SQL injections.

High performance. Additional features may decrease web allocation performance. By choosing Laravel, you receive numerous tools for performance optimization, including Memcached and Redis.

Better authentication. Why use Laravel Framework? Because it helps developers implementing certain functionality in a better way. Therefore, developers can easily create even the logic behind the authentication, which always was an extremely challenging task. 

Data migrations. Developers need to migrate data to create databases, implement changes, and provide maintenance. Laravel also includes this feature. This way, Laravel improves developer productivity while shortening the development time. 

We used Laravel for Conectric LLC, a start-up from the real estate sector. The main goal was to provide commercial building owners with end-to-end solutions that reduce the power consumption of HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) and lighting.

For this project, we

•         Developed the whole software ecosystem
•         Integrated the back-end with two mobile applications.
•         Incorporated the software with hardware, high-loaded back-end, sensors, and control boxes.
•         Created a high-performing and secure mobile app using Laravel.

You can find the full case study by following this link .

3.  Yii2

Yii2 is famous for advanced security and fast loading time. This framework applies a non-repetitive code principle. Such a principle allows to avoid the repeated use of similar software patterns. Using Ajax and JQuery features, Yii2 simplifies the development of large-scale applications. Other Yii advantages are:

High extensibility. Extensibility is a vital characteristic for websites because, with time, you might need to add new features or extend the project architecture. By using an object-oriented approach, you can easily extend the project architecture and customize it to meet the project’s needs.

Faster development time. Since Yii generates the basic CRUD (create, read, update, and delete) operations, the development team created the application faster, which reduces development costs.

Easy installation.During the development process, every minute is valuable. Yii helps developers to improve their use of time by providing the installation template. Thus, developers need less time to install and configure the framework.

Utilize modern technologies. Using object-oriented programming (OOO) parading, Yii includes advanced PHP features, such as anonymous functions, SPL classes, and late static binding.

4. CakePHP

CakePHP is a relatively new PHP framework, powered with Ruby on Rails. This framework allows the receiving of a better website response. With a better response, the development process becomes flexible, faster, and, as a result, cost-effective.  Why do we use CakePHP? 

Quick setup. When deciding which framework is best for PHP, consider CakePHP. Why? Because it does not require a previous system configuration. CakePHP uses auto-detection for all settings.

Data conversion. CakePHP uses an Object Relational Mapping technique. It converts the data between an incompatible system using an object-oriented programming language. CakePHP allows developers to check the preliminary view of your application with a single line of code.

Clear class inheritance. CakePHP is famous for its a clear class inheritance. The framework has two main folders. They are the core library and application folder. In this way, all application-specific controllers inherit the app controller class.

Codes re-usability. Developers spend the most time on writing codes and checking their structures synchronization. With CakePHP pre-written code, developers spend less time on such tasks. They pick the desired code and add it to the app.

The top 4 PHP framework comparison

Now, let us look at the most popular PHP frameworks comparison, their usage, and main advantages.

Framework

Current version

Industry

Size

Main advantages

Symfony

4.3.2

Mobile web applications

Large Scale Portals

• Free of repetitive code writing
• Fastest framework for large-scale applications
• Provides faster performance
• Protects sensitive data against threats
• Handles a large number of requests per seconds

Laravel

5.8

eCommerce

Medium Scale Portals

• Streamlined authentication integration
• Faster web applications development
• Supports popular cache back-ends
• Easily handle errors
• Reliable Routing

Yii 2

2.0.22

eCommerce

Medium Scale Portals

• Free of repetitive code writing
• Fastest framework for large-scale applications
• Faster performance
• Protects sensitive data against threats
• Handles a large number of requests per seconds

CakePHP

3.7

Mobile web applications

Medium Scale Portals

• Flexibility
• Less Coding
• Convenient in Use
• Easy Development
• Better Reliance
• Cost Efficient

If you did not select your PHP framework yet, don't despair. As a bonus section, we share other popular PHP frameworks and their description.

Popular PHP frameworks for web development

Our popular PHP frameworks list includes the following solutions:

• Zend Framework
• CodeIgniter
• FuelPHP
• Phalcon
• Slim
• PHPixie

Now, let us look at each of them in more detail.

Zend framework. Zend framework includes cryptographic coding tools, instant online debugging tools, a connected Database Wizard, and a user-friendly drag and drops editor. This framework supports JavaScript, CSS, and HTML technologies. By offering numerous configuration options, it is an excellent choice for complicated websites.

CodeIgniter. CodeIgniter is the best option for those who are looking for a simple yet reliable solution. This PHP framework has detailed documentation. Still, if any issue arises, you can receive support from the developer community that counts 57,000 users.  

FuelPHP. This flexible PHP framework uses URI filtering for advanced security. FuelPHP is great for developing web applications of diverse sizes and complexities.

Phalcon. Unlike other frameworks, Phalcon built on C and C++ coding. In its feature list, Phalcon has a universal autoloader, caching, security, asset management, translation, and much more. This framework uses low levels of architecture, which reduces overheating, typical of MVC-based apps. 

Slim. Developers use Slim in case they need to create RESTful APIs for their projects. Apart from minimalistic design, this framework includes URL routing, session, and cookie routing.  If you want to build a small web application, this is your framework of choice. 

PHPixie. Developed for read-only websites, PHPixie uses 100% unit tested components that require minimum dependencies. In its feature list, PHPixie has authorization capabilities, input validation, caching, and object-relational mapping.

Conclusion

PHP frameworks allow for the developing of a highly secure, feature-rich application in the short term.  Still, with such a great diversity of PHP frameworks in 2019, it is difficult to choose the best one for your project.

While choosing your future PHP framework, you should base your choice on the project’s goals, security options, extensive documentation, and the developer community.

To create a feature-rich mobile app, with advanced security and numerous integrations, we recommend Symfony and Lavarel. We used these frameworks to facilitate the development process in our previous projects. Therefore, they earned our trust.

However, for a simple web application, or read-only website, you can use another of the frameworks described above.

If you have an idea for a future project, need help in choosing the best PHP framework, or want to hire a development team, experienced in creating applications, we are here to help.