8 Reasons PHP is Still the Best for Web Development in 2025

Nowadays, developing or creating a website is a priority for your internet-based business. The two most promising and critical steps are designing and development. The PHP programming language is most commonly employed in the building of websites and web applications. 

PHP is still utilized by nearly 80% of all websites, including big platforms such as Wordpress and Facebook. Furthermore, it is a server-side scripting language that runs on a web server and is intended for the creation of dynamic pages and applications.

So, why is PHP the best for web development? What are the benefits of the PHP programming language in developing a website? And how does it outperform other programming languages in various ways? In this blog, we’ll explore 8 reasons why PHP is still the best choice for web development.
 

In short, What Is PHP?

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is an open-source, server-side scripting language that is widely used for web development.

Initially created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994, PHP has evolved into one of the most popular programming languages for creating dynamic and interactive websites. Known for its simplicity and flexibility, PHP can be embedded directly into HTML, making it a go-to choice for web developers.

Top 8 Benefits of PHP for Web Development in 2025

Here's top 8 benefits of PHP programming language:

1. Server-side powerhouse

PHP is a server-side powerhouse because it processes code on the server before delivering the final output to users, ensuring better security, faster performance, and seamless database integration. Unlike client-side languages like JavaScript, PHP keeps sensitive logic hidden, making it ideal for dynamic websites, authentication systems, and high-traffic applications like WordPress and Facebook. With PHP 8’s JIT compilation, it now runs even faster, handling millions of requests efficiently while maintaining scalability and reliability.

2. Open Source and Cost-Effective

One of the most significant advantages of PHP programming language is that it is freely available to web developers. There are no such licensing fees for web developers to receive the benefits of a programming language.  It is executed on the server, which implies it runs on the web server. 

Because of the open-source feature, PHP developers can readily learn about scripting code on web platforms. There are various PHP-based online solutions whose practical usage has been well tested, therefore there isn't much time and effort required to improve the language's functionality.

3. Very flexible

PHP is one of the most adaptable web programming languages. It also allows programmers to make changes to the code at various phases of web development. Even after building the code, they can quickly add additional features or functionality to the website. Changes to current code can also be made, and the code can be tweaked to provide new features to the website.

4. Cross-Platform Compatibility

One significant advantage of PHP programming language as your web development technology is that it is extensively used in a variety of content management systems. Many of the most popular CMSs, such as WordPress, Drupal, Magento, PrestaShop, Joomla, and others, are written in PHP or driven by a PHP-based foundation. 
If you choose PHP as the primary technology for your PHP website development project, you will be able to work with a variety of CMSs. A PHP-based content management system can be used to construct highly customizable websites.

Discover more: 12 Common Cross-Platform App Frameworks

5. Easy to learn for web developers

PHP programming language is simple to learn, and the programs are well-organized and clear. The sentence structure is simple to grasp; anyone who knows how to code in any language will learn to code in PHP extremely quickly. To learn PHP as a scripting language, new developers benefit from a short learning curve.

The orderly and clean code also makes it easy for new PHP developers to join the team in the middle of a project without becoming lost in the code. You will use a PHP developer for your scope, and you will be able to effectively do so later if you need to introduce more PHP engineers to the endeavor

6. Fast and secure

Every firm wants its website or application to be both quick and safe. PHP uses its own memory and performs well in terms of performance, especially when utilizing recent versions. PHP security has been questioned in the past. However it is crucial to realize that it is neither intrinsically more or less secure than other programming languages. 
One significant advantage of PHP programming language is that there are now numerous tools, frameworks, and best practices to assist repair vulnerabilities and guard against assaults as a result of its extensive use and community support.

7. Custom development

On the server side PHP programming language is the ideal tool for developing custom websites since it is not constrained by any custom choices. As a result, developers can construct a PHP-based online platform that precisely meets the needs of their clients. For example, when paired with JavaScript, the development team may create a functioning and visually appealing website.

8. Strong Community and Ongoing Improvements

PHP has a large, active community that continuously improves and updates the language. This ensures that PHP remains current with modern web development needs and that there is always support available for developers.

The PHP community frequently releases updates, with PHP 8 being the latest major release, introducing several performance improvements and new features like JIT compilation and union types. According to a 2024 survey, PHP ranks among the most reliable languages for long-term projects due to its regular updates and vibrant ecosystem.

Top PHP Frameworks for Modern Web Development

Using a PHP framework speeds up the development process, enhances security, and simplifies coding tasks. If you’re considering PHP for web development, here are the top frameworks you should know:

1. Laravel – Best for Enterprise Web Applications

• Elegant syntax and MVC architecture
• Built-in authentication and security features
• Powerful database tools like Eloquent ORM
• Best for: Large-scale web applications
• Major brands used it like BBC, Pfizer, and Invoice Ninja

2. Symfony – Best for Complex & High-Performance Web Apps

• Highly modular with reusable components
• Excellent for enterprise projects needing flexibility
• Built-in debugging tools
• Best for: Scalable applications, B2B platforms
• Example: Spotify, Drupal, and Blablacar

3. CodeIgniter – Best for Lightweight & Speedy Development

• Super lightweight (minimal footprint)
• Great for developers who prefer flexibility over rigid frameworks
• Best for: Small to medium-sized web applications
• Example: Buffer, Casio, Nissan

4. WordPress – The King of CMS Development

• Powers over 40% of websites worldwide
• Thousands of plugins for SEO, eCommerce, and security
• Ideal for blogs, businesses, and eCommerce sites
• Example: Microsoft, The New York Times, and Walt Disney

5. Yii – Best for High-Speed Web Development

• Blazing fast with lazy loading
• Easy integration with third-party tools
• Best for: Performance-driven applications
• Example: Crowdcube, HumHub

How Does PHP Compare to Other Web Development Languages?

When it comes to PHP for web development, many developers wonder how it stacks up against other programming languages like Python, Node.js, and JavaScript. While each language has its own strengths, PHP remains a powerful choice for building dynamic and scalable websites.

Let's take a look at what PHP can do compared to other languages: PHP vs. Python vs. Node.js vs. JavaScript

Case Studies: PHP Powering Innovative Web Solutions

PHP has been a go-to programming language for web development due to its flexibility, scalability, and compatibility with various platforms. Below are two real-world projects where PHP played a crucial role in building robust web solutions.

Cordlife

Cordlife, a leading healthcare solutions provider in Asia, needed a feature-rich website to serve as a vital resource for customers. The website had to provide access to service details, educational blogs, enrollment forms, and even a shop feature for their products.

For this project, PHP was utilized within the Drupal CMS, which offers both pre-built and customizable features. PHP enabled the development team to:

• Customize Drupal Modules to meet specific business needs, such as interactive enrollment forms and dynamic content management.
• Ensure High Security & Performance, crucial for handling sensitive medical data.
• Enable Seamless Integrations with third-party APIs for online transactions and customer service interactions.

Oyika

Oyika, a Singapore-based company, aims to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Southeast Asia. Their platform needed to integrate battery swapping services, e-commerce capabilities, and IoT-driven EV technology to support their subscription-based model.

Golden Owl Solutions built Oyika’s web ecosystem using PHP alongside JavaScript, enabling:

• E-commerce Integration: A PHP-powered online store to facilitate battery swap subscriptions and EV product purchases.
• Scalable Backend Architecture: PHP helped manage vast amounts of transactional data while ensuring a smooth user experience.
• IoT Integration: By leveraging PHP’s API capabilities, the platform could connect with real-time IoT systems to monitor battery swap stations.

Golden Owl - Web Development Partner in Southeast Asia

Are you looking for a web development partner that can truly understand your business needs?

Do you need a well-designed web platform built with the PHP programming language for your company? Our PHP experts will be delighted to put your idea into action. 

At Golden Owl Solutions, we go beyond delivering websites—we build digital experiences that drive growth, streamline processes, and elevate your business. 

We provide full-cycle services that you can refer:

• Website development
• Mobile development
• UX/UI design

Send us a message, and we will be in touch with you shortly for further discussion!

Conclusion

PHP continues to prove itself as one of the best options for web development, offering flexibility, cost-efficiency, performance, and strong community support. Whether you’re a small startup looking for a low-cost solution or an enterprise seeking scalability, PHP provides the tools to build robust, dynamic web applications.

FAQs 

Q1. Why is PHP still relevant in web development despite being an older language?

PHP remains highly relevant due to its continuous updates, including the release of PHP 8, which brought performance improvements, enhanced security features, and modern development tools like Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation. Its large community and vast library of frameworks and extensions also keep it competitive in the fast-paced web development landscape.

Q2. How does PHP compare with other languages like Python or JavaScript for web development?

While each language has its strengths, PHP is particularly known for its ease of use, fast server-side execution, and extensive support for database integration. It excels in building dynamic websites, whereas languages like Python are often preferred for data-heavy applications, and JavaScript is widely used for client-side scripting. However, PHP's flexibility makes it a strong competitor for full-stack development.

Q3. Can PHP handle large websites?

Yes, PHP powers major sites like Facebook and Wikipedia, proving its scalability and reliability for high-traffic websites.