Best Frameworks for PHP Development

by Priya Patil Marketing Executive

Many programming languages have limited capabilities such as limited number of functions and features. Developers need to write code, find errors, and check whether written code fulfills your objective or not. It is a little bit time consuming task thus many companies use the frameworks. It is like a shortcut where developers use predefined code available in frameworks.

PHP also has most renowned frameworks such as Laravel, CodeIgniter, etc. available in the market. PHP frameworks refer to pre-written collections of PHP code that PHP development company can use in its project immediately. These frameworks usually offer the base for the applications and PHP developers can further improve the features themselves, making the project a unique look. Though, there are so many PHP libraries to choose from, we aim to discuss the five best PHP frameworks to help you make your decision.

1. Laravel

Laravel without any doubt is the most popular PHP framework. It is suitable for both small and large sized projects. Laravel is the number choice for many PHP development companies because of its MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture. In MVC, model is data layer, controller is interface where application communicates with the users and view is the place where application data is presented to the users.

Advantages of Laravel

1. Lightweight templates

2. Prevention from SQL injection

3. Offers best authentication mechanism for your website

2. CodeIgniter

CodeIgniter is another MVC-based PHP framework. It stands out from the other frameworks because of its capabilities to guarantee a better web application performance with smaller code volume. CodeIgniter offers fewer features than Laravel for example, in-built authentication. But it's the best choice for the beginners as it offers plenty of opportunities to learn manual coding for various aspects.

Advantages of CodeIgniter

1. Fast performance because of lightweight templates

2. MVC-based architecture

3. Offers cross-site scripting feature

4. Best suitable for the beginners and SEO-friendly

3. Symfony

Symfony also provides pre-defined code for the PHP development. This framework is highly-useful for large-scale PHP development services and projects. Nevertheless, Symfony is mostly used by developers who have vast experience in programming.

Moreover, Symfony supports the feature of bundles just like plugins, which can reuse for multiple projects.

Advantages of Symfony

1. Code reuse for multiple projects

2. Offer easy way of localizing the website

3. Easy translation of interfaces

4. Slim

Slim is also one of the lightweight frameworks for the PHP developers. Its main purpose is to assist developers design web applications and APIs. Slim is also one of the frameworks referred to as “micro.” The concept of micro frameworks means that a library consists of the bare essential resources for creating a web app. Like other PHP frameworks, it does not follow the MVC architecture. Moreover, slim lacks some code base but offers powerful APIs.

Advantages of Slim

1. Guarantees fast development of application

2. Support for all HTTP methods

3. Best management of URL structures

5. FuelPHP

FuelPHP is an open-source framework introduced in 2011. The originators of this framework want it to be community-driven, meaning that basically anyone can become a contributor. The framework follows the HMVC model, which is similar to the regular MVC model. One of the differences is that the controller must choose the model before the view. FuelPHP offers modularity meaning developers can divide larger codes into smaller reusable modules for quick development.

Advantages of FuelPHP

1. Offers good authentication

2. Lower memory usage

3. Widgetisation of content structure