Best PHP Frameworks for Web Development in 2025

Want to find ways to streamline your web development process and improve productivity? A PHP framework can be your game-changer. By supporting the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, frameworks in PHP help enhance your development pipeline, and simplify the maintenance of websites and web applications. One of the major perks of using PHP frameworks for web development is the elimination of repetitive coding tasks which helps 2X the development speed while ensuring scalability and maintainability.

W3Techs reports that PHP powers 77.5% of websites using server-side programming languages. This staggering number makes PHP not just a reliable backend technology but also a preferred choice for frontend integrations in dynamic web applications.

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Why Should You Use PHP Framework for Web Development?

PHP frameworks make the entire development life cycle easier and quicker, whether you're developing small websites or large-scale applications.

First, the PHP framework has a formal structure of reusable components that enable consistent coding practices and project consistency. Secondly, you can also expect significant overall savings in web design and development costs when using a PHP web development framework. This not only relies on reusing components but also utilizes built-in features as an option, allowing developers to avoid duplication of coding efforts, which saves time and resources.

Furthermore, PHP frameworks 2025 are built with scalability and maintainability in mind. They follow industry best practices and design patterns, ensuring your applications are easy to scale and update as user demands grow. These frameworks are designed to handle everything from routine tasks to complex functionalities, ensuring your web applications are future-proof.

Accelerate organizational efficiency with high-performance PHP web apps created by expert PHP developers, and use the best PHP frameworks to transform original business ideas into scalable web-based solutions.

Best PHP Frameworks 2025

Choosing among the top PHP frameworks for web development should be a simple effort. We've created a list of the best PHP frameworks to pick from based on your project type.

Let's go into the PHP frameworks list.

Laravel

Laravel is one of the top PHP frameworks. Laravel, an open-source PHP framework for web development, facilitates the creation of cutting-edge, reliable online applications. It includes Blade, its own templating engine to produce clean and dynamic user interfaces; Homestead, a pre-configured local development environment; a powerful RESTful routing system; and more. Laravel, designed for rapid application development on any PHP web hosting platform, stands out among modern PHP frameworks due to its versatility and developer-friendly environment. Build scalable web projects with top-notch Laravel services and unlock the full potential of one of the greatest PHP frameworks in 2025. 

Symfony

It's a comprehensive PHP MVC framework for developing web apps, APIs, and microservices. It is the only framework that strictly adheres to the legacy of PHP completely. A PHP backend framework is an excellent solution for scalable websites and apps. Symfony employs reusable PHP modules to ease processes such as creation, routing, authentication, object setup, and templating. Additionally, it allows you to select the components necessary for your project.

CodeIgniter

CodeIgniter is an open-source PHP web application framework that is intended for the development of dynamic websites. It is lightweight with a small footprint and things to install, that's why it is the easiest PHP framework to use. It is created for programmers who need a sophisticated toolset to create fully functional web applications. CodeIgniter has a simple to use library and an easy framework that allows developers to be creative instead of having to deal with complicated coding. 

Yii 2

It is an open-source, object-oriented, and component-based framework designed for high performance, enabling the rapid development of large-scale web applications. Yii 2 utilizes the MVC design pattern, making it a suitable option for developers who prefer speed and performance. Yii 2 is well-known for having incredible AJAX support and superior caching abilities. Yii 2 is well-known for having excellent AJAX support and superior caching capabilities. This is a great option when you have short development cycles and require high responsiveness. This PHP framework for web development simplifies complex database processes. Yii 2 reduces the need for repetitive SQL queries by allowing developers to map database data to objects using Active Record. The result is a very extensible, maintainable, and effective application structure. 

Slim

It is a PHP microframework that enables you to rapidly and efficiently develop web applications and APIs. The framework has minimal installation details and is designed to be easy and quick to implement. It is ultimately a perfect option for developers seeking a lightweight framework for web applications and APIs, particularly those looking to create RESTful APIs and services. The framework is primarily used to develop small, narrowly defined applications and is well-known for its simplicity and usefulness.

Phalcon

Built on a C and C++ core, Phalcon provides phenomenal speed while retaining the flexibility that developers adore about PHP. With strong capabilities such as asset management, caching, and a universal autoloader, Phalcon makes it easy to create seamless, high-performance web applications.Its easier syntax, simple user interface, and structured documentation make PHP web development simpler, particularly for complex tasks. 

Laminas

Previously, Zend Framework was an open-source, object-oriented PHP framework renowned for its reusable components and scalability.  Its vast component library allows developers to choose only the essential components, improving efficiency and avoiding unneeded costs.  It incorporates up-to-date PHP components such as the OSGi profiler, the popular template engine, and a bespoke PHP namespace. It enables developers to efficiently manage the security requirements of their applications by providing a strong PHP sandbox.  Laminas focuses on security and offers comprehensive features that allow the creation of safe applications. 

Cake PHP

It is an open-source PHP framework, enables rapid application development (RAD), allowing developers to quickly create feature-rich applications. CakePHP is built for the end-user, making it suitable for anyone, including those with no prior coding experience. Its accessible framework and many ready-to-go built-in features and extensions will automate repetitive tasks, increasing speed and alleviating manual coding. Companies like Hyundai, Express, and BMW quickly adopted it because of its performance and reliability, which speaks volumes about its scalability and influence in the real world.

FuelPHP

It is a modular and extendable PHP framework that supports both MVC and Hierarchical Model-View-Controller (HMVC) architectures. This adaptability makes it ideal for developing complex and scalable web applications. It features built-in security measures, including URL filtering, output encoding, and its own authentication mechanism, making it an excellent choice for developers creating secure web applications. FuelPHP offers a comprehensive set of tools and libraries for performing standard PHP web development tasks, including form validation, session handling, and user authentication. Its security management solution streamlines permissions and access control, allowing developers to design more robust and secure apps with less effort. 

Conclusion

Choosing the proper PHP framework can have different meanings for every web application, and it is essential to establish a suitable PHP framework for web development. You can reduce development time and provide the groundwork for future security, stability, and performance. Because each project has unique needs, it is critical to choose a PHP framework for web development that is compatible with your individual goals and skills. To ensure the effectiveness of PHP web applications, consider employing a professional PHP developmient company. It can help with analyzing the leading PHP frameworks, selecting the best framework that fits your needs, and providing the necessary work in a secure, scalable, and maintainable manner tailored to your business.