PHP is more famous Website Development Technologies among Web Programmers. More than 50% Website or Web Application using or developed in PHP Frameworks.

The framework really helps in PHP development as compare core development, the framework provides every web developer base skeleton or foundation for build strong web application.

Every Framework has own Advantages and Disadvantages based on its feature and coding method.

Top 20 PHP Frameworks use in 2025

In this post we are trying to briefly the Best PHP Frameworks based on easy for installation and coding, most acceptable to the online community or help-desk, Code reference availability on internet,  inbuilt feature helps in development, stability, maintainability, and upgradeability in Web Development. Following are Top PHP Frameworks Every Developer Should Master.

In further article, we will cover following developer questions:

• What are the best php framework available?
• Which PHP Framework in fatest?
• Is Codeignitor good for large application in 2025?
• What are the most widely used PHP frameworks?
• What are the best PHP frameworks in India?
• Top 20 php frameworks for beginners
• Popular PHP frameworks in 2025
• Best PHP Frameworks and Trends in 2025

Lets go ahead and checkout all famous php frameworks:

1. Laravel

Laravel The PHP Framework for Web Artisans and one of the best PHP frameworks in 2025. Laravel Framework is the powerful feature like Restful routing, Composer Powered, Beautiful inbuilt templating (Blade template), Eloquent ORM, Artisan CLI and expressive syntax etc.

Initial Release: Laravel 1 on June 2011
Developer: Taylor Otwell
Current Version: 12.3.0 on 18 March 2025

2. Yii Framework

Yii Framework is fast, secure, stable, high-performance PHP framework for developing Web 2.0 applications. Yii2 provided the basis and advanced application installation based on requirement.

Yii Framework comes with Rich Feature Layered caching scheme, Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern, Database Access Objects (DAO)/ Active Record, I18N/L10N, Role-based access and authentication, Gii (automatic code generation) code generator module, AJAX-enabled widgets, Detailed documentation, Eager & Lazy Loading, Easily integrated third-party code and system etc. Yii is ideal framework for developing social media, enterprises web application, SAAS, PAAS etc.

Initial Release: Yii 1 on 03 December 2008
Developer: Qiang Xue
Latest Version: 2.0.52 on 12 February 2025

3. Zend Framework (Laminas)

No doubt about Zend Framework in this list and top 3 possible because it is flexible architecture and widely acceptable for enterprises web application development.

It’s worth noting that in 2018, the Zend Framework project underwent a major change. The project transitioned into the Laminas Project, which is now known as Laminas. Laminas is an evolution of Zend Framework and continues to offer a set of components for building PHP applications.

Initial Release: ZF Library on 03 March 2006
Developer: Zend, Linux Foundation

4. CodeIgniter

CodeIgniter is one of simple, powerful PHP framework. According to PHP creator Rasmus Lerdorf “CodeIgniter is faster, lighter and the least like a framework.”

It comes with notable features such as Lightweight and Fast, MVC Architecture, Built-in Security, Easy Configuration, Libraries and Helpers with Easy Learning Curve.

Initial Release: CI 1.0 on 28 February 2006
Developer: British Columbia Institute of Technology, Codeigniter Foundation
Latest Version: 4.6.0 on 19 January 2024

5. CakePHP

Cakephp is one of oldest PHP Framework build by Polish programmer Michal Tatarynowicz inspiring by Ruby on Rails in April 2005. Scratch, Hot Scripts, and Croogo CMS made in CakePHP.

Initial Release: CakePHP 1.0 on April 2005
Developer: Larry Masters
Latest Version: 5.1.5 on 16 January 2025

It comes with notable features such as Convention over Configuration, Built-in ORM, Scaffolding and Extensive Caching.

6. Symfony

Symfony Framework is the focus to set of reusable PHP Components for Enterprises Web Projects. Drupal, phpBB, Laravel, OROCRM and PIWIK etc. using Symfony.

Initial Release: 22 October 2005
Developer: SensioLabs SAS
Latest Version: 7.2.0 on 29 November 2024

Symfony offers notable features such as Component-Based Architecture, Twig Templating Engine, Robust Security, Powerful Routing System and Testing and Debugging Tools.

7. Phalcon

Phalcon is open source, high-performance web application framework for PHP. It implemented C extension for optimum performance to the goal of handle more requests per second than other PHP Frameworks. Phalcon has all the feature which might make it No. 1 PHP Framework as Compare Laravel.

Phalcon offers features High Performance, Low Overhead with C extension, MVC Architecture, Extensive ORM and Rich Ecosystem.

Initial Release: 14 November 2012
Developer: Andres Gutierrez
Latest Version: 5.8.0 on 09 July 2024

8. FuelPHP

FuelPHP is open source HMVC PHP Framework.

Initial Release: 2.0 alpha on 01 January 2014
Developer: Andres Gutierrez
Latest Version: 1.0.9 on 28 December 2021

9. Kohana

Kohana is easy, lightweight and easy to use HMVC PHP Framework.

10. Prado

Prado name acronym from “PHP Rapid Application Development Object-oriented”. It is started by Qiang Xue inspired by Apache Tapestry. Based on Prado experience Qiang Xue developed Yii Framework. Prado first initial release was in June 2004.

11. Slim

Slim is lightweight micro PHP framework help for quick write simple application and APIs.

12. Flight

Another fast, extensive micro PHP framework, simple and easy to use PHP Framework for build Restful PHP Web Applications. Running Flight requires minimum PHP 5.3 or greater version.

13. Webasyst

Webasyst is help for teamwork, collaborate, building website and stores.

14. PHPixie

New lightweight PHP Framework and a fork of Kohana Framework.

15. Aura

Aura PHP Framework provides lightweight, well-tested, decoupled libraries and standards-compliant.

16. Medoo

Medoo is one of the lightest database frameworks.

17. Yaf

Yet Another Framework is first MVC Framework which written in C and builds as PHP Extension.

18. Silex

A Concise, Extensible, Testable Micro PHP Framework based on the Symfony2 Components.

19. Agavi

Agavi is simple, scalable, powerful PHP MVC Framework.

20. Nette

Nette Framework is developed by David Grudl, an open source PHP Framework.

There is another PHP Framework eg. Guzzle  PHP, LIMONADE, Ubiquity, Pop PHP etc.

Zend Framework is utilized to grow such applications which can be very easy to understand all together that the clients have the capacity to effortlessly utilize and explore these outlines. PHP Zend Development is continuously turning into the shiny new face of PHP.

About Zend Framework:

PHP Zend Framework is sold with upgraded components the vast majority of which incorporate its backing for a ton of databases, backing for PHP 5 alongside other higher adaptations, a rich in-constructed library, and Model-View-Controller (MVC) configuration. These components have contributed colossally in the development of an extremely utilitarian framework.

Zend designers make this they are top need to make sure that the sites created may be easy to understand. Indeed Zend structure is straightforward and uses as it’s exceptionally flexible and obviously easy to understand.

Latest Version is just on the Way:

The new Zend Framework 3 will grasp new standards and designs and with that make it more painful for all engineers – newcomer and propelled designers alike.

The new system will focus on segment based advancement. It will convey a middleware deal and be completely enhanced for PHP7.

Zend Framework 3 will be a development from ZF2, focusing on effortlessness, reusability, and execution.

Know About Its Damn Exciting Features:

Zend Framework 3 empowers more extensive re-use and higher speed of development. Solid accentuation on HTTP messages, with Matthew driving the PSR-7 determination is its main advantage.

Upgrading our current full-stack MVC structure to rely on upon the recently autonomous parts is making a strong lead for better reuse and effortlessness. ZF2 MVC applications will have a recorded overhaul way to ZF3 obliging insignificant changes.

Also, Zend Framework 3 empower to fill in as a middleware stack, for better execution and straightforwardness, with the same streamlined, effective client experience.

Improving For PHP 7, Doesn’t Mean Stoppage for PHP 5.x:

The PHP environment is experiencing an energizing “renaissance” with the development of huge changes in the most recent couple of years. Programming interface driven designers are turning into the standard.

PHP 7 incorporates an arrangement of incredible upgrades at the runtime level. The utilization of a structure conveys the order of coding and efficiency to designers.

Since its initiation two eras of Zend Framework have met colossal achievement and are supporting today probably the most business discriminating PHP applications in the Enterprise.

Naturally focused:

Typically it is not that simple to rundown down the focal points that are offered by structures yet posting down Zend’s preferences is simple in view of its one of kind elements and an integrated methodology for development.

This element helps developers to accept an approach to the last result. This is the thing that makes the Zend framework so well known for PHP web improvement.

The PHP organizers built up this strong framework which goes about as a confirmation of its steadiness. The structure accompanies a library of classes which is truly rich and helps designers in their assignments.

In PHP web development, the Zend structure is additionally known for diminishing unpredictability identified with improvements of standard modules.

Zend engineers skillfully coordinate the mobile developments abilities which alongside JQuery, making sort of a noteworthy drag-n-drop environment for some fast mobile application development.

For any PHP application development company, PhoneGap has constantly ended up being a gift the way it permits UI prototyping for Android, Windows Phone, RIM BlackBerry, and iOS say all of the mobile working frameworks.

Future Growth Scopes:

Zend Framework is a basic, clear; open-source programming structure grew by Zend. Its Model View Controller (MVC) usage bolsters formats and PHP-based layouts as a matter of course.

Zend Framework has support for different database frameworks including Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL Server.

Zend Framework is likewise called ZF. The Zend Framework is an intense open source web application structure for creating PHP 5 web application.

Features for Zend Framework:

The Zend server update guarantees that application organization to this cloud is robotized and enhanced dashboards are around for in-point of interest checking of framework execution for a superior programming by the Zend engineers, over numerous cloud examples of the application.

Integrated into this update are simultaneous and inspecting components which permit RCA (Root Cause Analysis) without touching this live code.

Zend, what’s more, has joined forces with Red Hat to present the PHP motor for your Open-Shift stage as-an administration advertising.

Different other noticeable cloud moves basically by Zend and that you can have when you enlist a specialist Zend designer to incorporate Zend Cloud, an engineering space in accordance with the Zend Server and Zend Application Fabric which is aggregate cloud-based form in the Zend Server.

At the point when discussing the Zend structure in PHP web improvement, the ready-made components and arrangements that stick it need a notice.

It is exceptionally helpful in making CMS (content management system), plan arrangements and different sorts of programming items. The best part of doing this with Zend is that it decreases the working time radically.

Extremely Extensible:

The legend that PHP is ending up being is undeniable. For any seaward development organization, PHP turns out to be only a definitive code establishment for the fast application development and arrangement. Embraced in numerous structures, PHP has wormed its way into various web applications.

With the current pattern of everything from portable and substance on cloud administrations, it is more or less simply the time that PHP graduated to this specific stage as well.

Zend designers making utilization of the most recent developments in Zend Studio 10, in view of the Zend framework of PHP has extra new instruments that achieve mobile application improvement utilizing an advantageous move and customize the environment.

The Zend server redesign guarantees that application organization to this cloud is computerized and enhanced dashboards are around for checking of project execution for a superior programming.

Integrated into this redesign are simultaneousness and inspecting components which permit RCA (Root Cause Analysis) without touching this live code.

Zend likewise has cooperated with RedHat to present the PHP motor for your Open-Shift stage as-an administration advertising.

Why You Should Choose:

The Zend system is really helpful for CLI and web programming. Downloading and introducing the code to the library catalog is really simple.

Intuitive web applications can be effortlessly created with expense effectiveness. Lesser code reusability guarantees a snappier venture TAT (turnaround time).

Overall Zend helps in introducing a ‘front controller example’. These are many advantages of utilizing Zend structure as a part of PHP web improvement.

Along these lines, when you hire PHP designer, request that they add to your venture on the Zend structure to harvest all the favorable circumstances and guarantee a smooth stream.

Comparison between ZF2 and ZF3:

It created the “virtual object database” that can be used within the programming languages. There are many ORM’s available in the market in each technology in which some famous ORM are ActiveJPA, ActiveRecord (AR in Yii Framework) Ebean, Database objects, CakePHP, Propel and the best one Doctrine. But why Doctrine ORM is so famous and best, what is the reason behind this we will look on this below but we will learn first what is Doctrine? Doctrine is a set of PHP libraries which primarily focus on providing persistence services and related functionality.

Doctrine 2.x (Data mapping using Entity Manager):

$student = new Student();
$student->fname = "rajeev";
$student->lname = "sharma";
$entityManager->persist($student);
$entityManager->flush();
echo "The student with id $student->id has been saved.";

Doctrine 1.x (Active Record pattern):

$student = new Student();
$student->name = "rajeev";
$student->password = "Sharma";
$student->save();
echo "The student with id $student->id has been saved.";

1. Logical domain keeps separate from the presentational logic:

The main is the software industry is how you co-relate your logical and how that logical part full-fill the presentation part for the user.

In many ORM if you will use then you will find that there are strict rule of that, that you have to use particular way only for the particular presentation but in Doctrine both the things are kept separated you can make your full logical first and then you decide what the view or in presentation you want or vice-versa.

2. Easily enforcement of Business rules:

Each application has some business logic that on which terms and conditions application should be work according to the requirements.

So, same there is also with the Doctrine the business rules consist of rules and processes around how the application should work. Knowing when and where to put the business rules little bit a tricky.

This business logic should be kept in the controller. Normally you will see the logic like this in the controller:

public function ezeelive()
{
$ezee = User::find(Input::get('userid');
$ezee2 = ezee2::find(Input::get('ezee2id');

if($ezee2->users->contains($ezee)
{
$ezee2->posts()->save(Post::create(Input::all()));
}
return $ezee2;
}

You can enforce the business logic like this

public function addPost(Post $abc)
{
if($this->isMemberOf($abc->user))
{
$this->xyz[] = $abc;
}
}

This is a easiest way to use the business logic in ORM which the only Doctrine have none other.

3. Doctrine behavior support:

All behaviors supported in Doctrine ORM are well supported by the ORM designers. You have to just write the definition once in a code and everywhere you can refer to the same again and again.

You can also configure the behavior of these function by going into the config file and do changes as per your convenience.

By using ORM design you can create the behaviors in a minute. You have to select the options according to the value and that will be assigned to your definition behavior it’s so easy in the Doctrine that easily defined behaviors get assigned to the project.

4. Inheritance:

Inheritance is again the great feature implemented in this ORM. With ORM design you will not get any problem in implementing the inheritance. ORM designers wizard gives easy and great way to do so.

5. MVC framework:

You can use Doctrine ORM with any MVC framework for the project use. In ORM designers there is an explicit support for the 2 most used MVC frameworks that are Symfony and Zend framework.

Use of any other MVC framework is also very east in the Doctrine you have to just choose the option “without MVC” at the start of your project.

The feature of Doctrine ORM 2.5 :

1. Doctrine 2.5 require minimum PHP 5.4 and dropping support for PHP 5.3
2. PostLoad events now triggered after associations are loaded
3. Embeddable Objects supports creating multiple PHP objects from one database table.
4. Second-Level-Cache: objects cache in Memcache, Redis, Riak, MongoDB etc.
5. Support for ManyToMany associations
6. Add new contains() expression criteria : For like SQL condition
7. Allow configuring Index flags

In the Last Word:

After looking at these major advancements and features in the Doctrine ORM we can say that Doctrine is the best ORM system available till now with the MVC framework that can be implemented with any technology.

By taking these reasons in the mind we will suggest you use Doctrine ORM only for the exchange of data between the incompatible system and language.

It offers a highly innovative, Creative and functional cart system for shopping online eCommerce website.

Not all the eCommerce platforms are secure for shopping, but Magento is a platform which is safe, secure and reliable as compared to its rivals in the market.

Reasons why people prefer Magento Development for developing as well as designing their online stores :

1. Magento is an Open Source Platform (Magento Community Version-Magento CE), Any web user can create their eCommerce website portal without spending a fortune on Magento.
2. Magento Engine is developed in very strong Zend framework platform. Which is a very strong, scalable and flexible system.
3. Magento Administrator (Admin Panel), has good structure and strong Product Catalog, User, and Role, Caching and Index Management, Rest and Soap Services, Import and Export, Multi Currencies, Multi Payment Gateway, Multi Stores etc. systems.
4. Magento has very transparent as the code source is stated as Public which anybody could read.
5. It has been accepted throughout the world and is also considered to be the best platform for shopping.
6. Magento is an eBay Inc. Company and It is now being widely used all throughout the world.
7. Latest Magento CE version 2.2.4 has the inbuilt fully mobile friendly responsive theme.
8. Magento has the Best and most advanced features which require building a best eCommerce system.
9. Magento has big, well document, fastest growing forum community.

Some other important features of the Magento Platform :

It provides the websites which help the customers to build their eCommerce stores which enhances their sales as well as profits. Thus, the branding value of the business is also enhanced.

It has helped in the empowerment of almost every Merchant dealing online by eradicating the obstacles from Marketing of their services and products.

It has got a very extraordinary flexibility which gives the customer a control for making their E-Commerce website different and unique.

This will easily differentiate your business from that of your rivals. You may even expand your business website as well as the options for marketing with the reliability as well as flexibility it provides. This also helps you to boost the credentials of your business.

Magento Development Services assist the Merchants dealing online for satisfying their requirements completely. It offers a platform for controlling the online products and services without any disturbance in the flow of business.

It is an integrated gateway of payment where the merchant is able to keep a control on the content, look, Design, graphics, and style of the website.

You are also given the option of customizing the website as per the requirements of the client and even add your own ideas. All these things help the merchants to get an Edge over their rivals online.

Advantages of Hire Magento Development Services

1. Provides multiple stores facility with unique and relevant features.
2. Follows the SEO rules
3. Provide cost-effective solutions to develop the best websites.
4. Accomplish all the projects before the deadline.
5. They do complete code testing (Unit, QA, Database, and Server Speed) before making live your work.
6. Save a lot of time of the merchant and keep their data safe.
7. Help to create a custom module or plugin for your business requirement.
8. Guide/ help the customer for taking advance relevant steps to grow their business.

These days, most of the development services providers, who offer Magento Development Services, can easily get extra benefits from collecting all features of an E-Commerce website on this platform which is Open Source.

It offers you additional features which no other development services company would offer. They help in the development as well as designing the E-Commerce website which has different and unique themes which makes the website more alluring than any other E-Commerce website.

For improving the presence online over WWW, large fractions of the retails website are now taking assistance from the Open source E-Commerce web applications- Magento.

Ezeelive Technologies (Magento Development Services India) provided all types of Magento custom mobile responsive theme design, plugin, custom modules etc.

Great New for Magento Developers:

Magento was acquired by eBay in 2011 for an estimated $180 million but later in 2015, this went private again with a $200 million funds injection from private equity company Permira Funds.

On Monday 21 May 2018, Adobe announced to acquire Magento Commerce for $1.68 billion, Magento CEO Mark Lavelle will continue to lead the Magento team.

• Modular Architecture – Use components independently.
• MVC Pattern – Structured development with Model-View-Controller.
• High Performance – Supports caching (APC, Memcached, Redis).
• Extensibility & Customization – Event-driven and configurable.
• Security Features – Protection against XSS, CSRF, SQL injection.
• RESTful API Support – JSON/XML web services.
• Object-Oriented & Reusable Components – Follows OOP principles.
• Database Abstraction – Supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite with PDO.
• Form & Input Validation – Built-in validators and filters.
• Session & Authentication – Secure user management.
• Internationalization & Localization – Multi-language support.
• Enterprise-Ready – Scalable with dependency injection and middleware.

ZF is little hard to install and understand for the beginner(freshers) especially who are working first time in any framework especially Zend framework 2 installations.

There are many websites who are providing step to install Zend framework in windows machine but personally, they haven’t put installation step very clearly to keep in mind for freshers.

Here is steps install Zend framework in wamp (Windows):

1. Download Zend framework skeleton from https://github.com/zendframework/ZendSkeletonApplication
2. Unzip ZendSkeletonApplication-master and rename it zf (change folder name as your convenience).
3. Copy zf and paste it in wamp’s www root directory in my case its c:\wamp\www

4. Now download composer window installer from http://getcomposer.org/download/ and install it. Define composer path in Windows Environment Variable
5. Open windows command prompt and composer to verify installation.

6. Open windows command prompt and go to zf directory (C:wamp\www\zf) and Update zf’s composer.phar file using command

C:wampwwwzf>php composer.phar self-update
Updating to version 15ad785ez55raj5kjnjkal749de47ca87d1408.
Downloading: 100%

7. Now its time to install zend framework, In window command prompt run below command to install Zend framework using composer.phar

C:wampwwwzf>php composer.phar install

Note: If you get CGI Enable error eg. “You must enable the OpenSSL extension to download files via https” Then enable OpenSSL from “C:wampbinphpphp-5.4.3php.ini” file because WAMP uses different php.ini files for CLI and Apache.

8. Restart all the wamp services and re-install it again.

C:wampwwwzf>php composer.phar install
Loading composer repositories with package information
Installing dependencies (including require-dev)
- Installing zendframework/zendframework (2.2.0)
Downloading: 100%

zendframework/zendframework suggests installing ext-intl (ext/intl for i18n features (included in default builds of PHP))
…..
…..

9. In the last make below changes in Apache httpd.conf file

<VirtualHost *:80>
DocumentRoot “C:wampwwwzfpublic”
ServerName  zf-ezee-tutorial.com
<Directory C:wampwwwzfpublic>
DirectoryIndex index.php
AllowOverride All
Order allow,deny
Allow from all
</Directory>
</VirtualHost>

open windows host file c:windowssystem32driversetchosts

127.0.0.1       zf-ezee-tutorial.com

10. Run zf-ezee-tutorial.com in your browser… Congratulation you have completed your ZF install in WAMP.

friends…If you face any problem related to installing or Zend framework web application development, please fill free to put in the comment or contact us.