Top PHP Frameworks That a Web Developer Should Consider in 2021

Looking for the finest PHP framework for web development in 2021?

Then you’ve reached the right place. PHP is one of the most widely used programming languages for building websites and apps. Although the language is considered to be extremely reliable and secure, it has undergone several changes since its development. However, as time has passed, the complexity of websites has risen enormously. To develop websites, developers have to write thousands of lines of code, which is a time-consuming and laborious process. Moreover, developers have to begin every project from scratch. This is where PHP frameworks come into the picture.

In this article, we’ll go through the finest PHP frameworks and evaluate their key benefits and drawbacks. By the end of this article, you’ll be aware of which PHP frameworks can meet your specific web development requirements.

What is PHP Framework?

A PHP framework is a platform for developing PHP-based web applications. It includes code libraries for widely used functions, reducing the amount of unique code required. In addition, PHP Framework provides a fundamental structure for web app development that simplifies and speeds up the development process. Above all, the responsiveness of websites and apps developed using PHP frameworks assists enterprises in meeting their performance requirements.

Advantages of Using PHP Framework

1) Speed up the custom web development

PHP Frameworks make it considerably easier to build a small or medium-sized program than if you had to code everything from scratch. If you’re in a hurry, Framework will assist you in completing tasks before the time limit expires.

2) No need to write additional code

Unlike other programming languages, PHP does not allow programmers to convey concepts through fewer lines of code. As a result, PHP programmers write lengthy and complex code when adding features or functionality to a website. By providing a code-generating feature, PHP frameworks significantly reduce coding time. Specific PHP frameworks include code generation tools that allow programmers to keep web application source code clean and accessible.

3) Security

PHP is often considered one of the most insecure programming languages. Usually, programmers have to investigate strategies to secure PHP applications from various security threats. The PHP framework’s built-in security features and processes make it easier for developers to secure their websites from current and upcoming security threats. SQL injections, cross-site request forgery, and data tampering are basic security threats that PHP web developers can easily avoid.

4) Testing

It is simple to test PHP-based web applications. PHP unit testing allows you to test your code quickly and easily. It also aids programmers in the development of test cases and the efficient execution of testing. Developers of PHP-based web apps do not need to write any additional code. PHP frameworks aid in the automation of various tasks.

Top 5 PHP Frameworks That a Web Developer Should Consider in 2021

1) Laravel

Laravel is the most widely used PHP framework Taylor Otwell first launched it in 2011 and it has evolved to be a robust framework with hundreds of contributors and millions of installations. It is built on MVC architecture and uses its templating language, Blade, to simplify HTML layouts. Laravel utilizes Eloquent ORM to access databases, which are simple to understand and use. Eloquent ORM is an object-relational mapper that enables you to define models and relationships in PHP before having them translated and implemented in SQL. This makes your code clean and accessible while also allowing you to swap databases quickly.

Read about: Best React libraries in 2021

Pros

It’s an excellent start for newcomers due to its extensive documentation and vast community.
The syntax is simple, and it may be so intuitive that your code acts like “magic.” As a result, Laravel is simple to learn and understand even if you have no prior expertise.
With Laravel Forge and Laravel Envoyer, you can quickly deploy to AWS or other cloud providers.
You can add additional features by installing a wide range of packages and apps.

Cons

Laravel is a lightweight framework, thus it offers less built-in support than Django and Ruby on Rails. This issue may be handled by integrating third-party technologies, however, for big or bespoke websites; the tasks might become laborious and difficult.
It is quite a heavy structure due to the various features
Upgrading the framework version might be difficult. This is due to a lack of continuity between them. It will require a highly experienced developer or a team to execute an upgrade without putting your entire system down.

2) Symfony

Symfony Framework is a comprehensive PHP framework, and it is the only Framework that entirely adheres to PHP and web standards. Popular content management systems such as Drupal, OroCRM, and PHP Bulletin Board make use of Symfony components (PHPBB). Many developers prefer Symphony because it has reusable libraries and components that can perform various tasks such as authentication, templating, object setup, and more. When it comes to large-scale corporate projects, Symfony emerges as the clear winner among PHP frameworks.

Pros

Cons

3) CodeIgniter

CodeIgniter is a lightweight framework known for its tiny footprint and simple installation with few configuration requirements. You may describe it as a basic yet robust PHP Framework. It is ideal for developing dynamic websites since it has numerous pre-built modules that aid in creating robust and reusable components. CodeIgniter has several excellent characteristics, including simple encryption steps, security, quick error handling, and a minimal PHP adoption struggle. This PHP framework is quite extensively documented, making it an ideal choice for beginners.

Pros

Codeigniter is a simple and easy-to-use framework that significantly reduces the developer’s effort and time. As it’s an open-source framework, it receives a lot of community support and clear documentation, making it even easier to set up.
Codeigniter’s built-in security capabilities secure web applications from attacks such as cross-site scripting attacks, SQL injection, and remote code execution. Developers can also install plugins to enhance the application’s security.
It offers excellent out-of-the-box performance, quick loading times and requires minimal optimization.

Cons

As compared to other popular frameworks, it contains fewer libraries and packages for developing new functionality.
CodeIgniter does not allow modular code separation by default, like most current PHP frameworks. As a result, programmers have to devote additional time and effort to maintaining or updating the code.
When it comes to naming files and folders, CodeIgniter application development suffers from a severe restriction. Because the Framework lacks current namespace and autoloader support, it employs a conventional approach to folder and file naming conventions. As developers are obligated to follow this, it limits flexibility to some extent.

4) Cake PHP

Cake PHP is one of the most widely used frameworks. It is a common choice for modern business applications since it has advanced security features such as SQL injection prevention, cross-site scripting protection, and many more. CakePHP combines reliability, speed, and security. To stay up with the latest technology, it has excellent community support from developers worldwide. The most recent version offers improvements to modularity and the ability to build independent libraries.

Pros

CakePHP’s code generation and scaffolding functionality allow programmers to develop prototypes and reusable code quickly. Code reusability increases developer productivity while reducing total development time. Moreover, users may quickly develop new PHP apps by reusing existing code from previous projects.
CakePHP’s has all modern security features and is certified by the Mozilla Secure Open Source program.
CakePHP’s has more innovative built-in features for developing online applications safe and secure as compared to other PHP frameworks. Programmers can use the built-in tools to protect against SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. The tools also assist developers in validating user input and preventing form tampering and CSRF attacks.

Cons

CakePHP does not allow Fancy URLs’ default routes. So while developing Fancy URLs, programmers need to alter the default routes.
Many users believe CakePHP’s documentation is inadequate and needs to be improved. CakePHP is more complicated than other PHP frameworks such as CodeIgniter. As a result, developers have to devote both time and effort to learn CakePHP’s numerous features.
Many developers face problems in migrating from previous to latest versions and vice versa.

5) Yii

Yii is an open-source framework for creating PHP-based applications. It is built on the OOP and MVC frameworks, and it reduces overhead by focusing on essential functions. Yii is ideal for large-scale website development since it integrates well with jQuery and AJAX. It also contains Gii, a powerful class code generator.

Gii’s purpose is to make object-oriented programming and fast prototyping easier by providing a web-based interface that assists the programmer in interactively generating the necessary code. Other benefits include a quick development time, the availability of different security packages, and configuration sets for speeding up the process.

Pros

It gives the user a plethora of layout and theme alternatives for creating a customized web page design.
It is the fastest Framework for creating large-scale applications. Its seamless and quick performance makes it ideal for creating forums, e-commerce frameworks, content and data management systems, and more.
Smart caching and a component-based structure format enable the developer to build the application website with simpler and shorter code and control traffic that may interrupt the server and slow down website access.

Cons

Yii requires extra attention from the developer while building the application, as one error and the software can become oversized.
Learning Yii requires a comprehensive understanding of the PHP programming language and the various add-ons that come with it. It might get tedious and challenging for beginners to learn.
The Ajax functionality embedded in the system is not well-drafted or designed effectively enough for developers to experience simple coding.

The Final Takeaway

By reading the above article, I hope you are well aware of the fundamental differences of all major PHP frameworks. Selecting a framework is a difficult decision that will need time, study, and effort. So before deciding on a framework, you should thoroughly examine your project needs. All PHP frameworks are similar in certain ways, but they differ in terms of performance, security, advanced capabilities, and community support.

We are always here to assist you to make the right decision for your project needs. Contact Latitude Technolabs, discuss your requirements, and let us help you make the best choice.