A PHP framework is built on the open-source language PHP and offers built-in features to improve your PHP software development lifecycle. These features increase development speed and improve team performance by lowering developers’ workloads.

PHP has been around for many years, and as a result, it is extremely robust.

PHP is a cornerstone in the development community for everything from computer programming to software and web development. Developers use PHP to create desktop applications, games, command-line scripting, automation services, and more.

Why use a PHP framework?

PHP frameworks can improve your development pipeline. These improvements cover everything from security to productivity within your organization. Each framework has different focuses — some may focus on development workflow and others on scalability.

One perk that all of these frameworks offer is excellent security, which is vital for software development. Maintaining security from the beginning of your development pipeline is akin to a DevSecOps approach that leads to improved performance.

 Best PHP Frameworks For Software Development

Let’s discuss some of the best PHP frameworks and their overall difficulty. When compiling this list, we considered aspects like onboarding, learning the language and syntax, and complexity. Frameworks are described as easy, moderate, and difficult.

1. Fat-Free Framework

The Fat-Free Framework thrives in simplicity. The framework shoots for minimalism in structural components, avoids application complexity, and balances code elegance, application performance, and programmer productivity. Fat-Free Framework, or “F3,” is a great place to start when learning how to implement a PHP framework in your team workflow. This micro-framework also supports using multiple database languages for variety and flexibility.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Limitations: F3 requires more module setup

2. Slim

Slim is a PHP micro-framework that helps you quickly write simple yet powerful web applications and APIs. It is a micro-framework for receiving and returning HTTP calls, stripped down to its most essential features to support simplistic use. Slim is a fast framework because it lacks third-party dependencies and is best for developing small apps and APIs. This framework is easy to set up, having your “Hello World” ready in just a few minutes. Slim is considered one of the best PHP frameworks around.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Limitations: Not optimized for large applications

3.PHPixie

PHPixie started as a micro-framework and has gradually become one of the most popular full-stack PHP frameworks while retaining its high performance. It uses the HMVC design pattern and is fast and reliable. Remember, this framework is relatively new, includes fewer modules, and has less community support. PHPixie is easy to get started and easy to use. However, if you encounter problems, you may find yourself at a roadblock with little help.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Limitations: Less support and not quite as robust as other options on this list

4. CodeIgniter

CodeIgniter is a robust PHP framework with a minimal footprint, built for developers who need a simple, elegant toolkit to create full-featured web applications. This framework is made for fast startup and minimal asset overhead. This reduced footprint allows for fast setup and better project runtime speeds.CodeIgniter is one of the most comprehensive frameworks on this list. It provides only the basics but is extremely extendable, allowing you to do almost anything you need. This framework also offers security features and promotes the MVC architecture.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Limitations: Not the best choice for security

5. Laravel

Laravel is a web application framework with expressive, elegant syntax. It is one of the world’s most popular open-source frameworks and is B2B-ready. It was created to offer a framework that provides features that CodeIgniter doesn’t, such as user authentication. Laravel includes security features to protect against SQL injection and Cross-Site Forgery Requests (CSFR). You’ll also have access to workflow tools, such as asset compilers, and a command-line interface (CLI).

This framework focuses on improving workflow efficiency, making it a valuable tool for your team, but the added features make it a little harder to learn.

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Limitations: A bit more complex to use, better for large projects

In conclusion, PHP frameworks are powerful tools that can significantly enhance your software development lifecycle by improving speed, productivity, and security. Each PHP framework has unique features and focuses, catering to different development needs. Sreyas IT Solutions can assist you in selecting and implementing the ideal PHP framework tailored to your project needs, ensuring a streamlined and efficient development process. Our expertise in various frameworks, including Laravel and CodeIgniter, can help your business achieve its development goals effectively and securely.