PHP AlternativesTop Programming Languages and other similar apps like PHP

PHP is described as 'Server-side scripting language designed for web development, featuring HTML embedment and extensive community support, suitable for dynamic content creation' and is a very popular programming language in the development category. There are more than 25 alternatives to PHP for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, BSD and Web-based apps. The best PHP alternative is Python, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like PHP are JavaScript, Java, Ruby and Lua.

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PHP alternatives are mainly Programming Languages but may also be Compilers or Software Frameworks.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of PHP.
PHP iconPHP
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Server-side scripting language designed for web development, featuring HTML embedment and extensive community support, suitable for dynamic content creation.

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PHP alternatives page was last updated Dec 29, 2024
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Alternatives
  1. Python icon
     1365 likes
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    Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, extensible programming language. It provides an extraordinary combination of clarity and versatility, and is free and comprehensively ported.

    93 Python alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Symbian S60
    • BSD
    • AROS
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • OpenSolaris
    • MorphOS

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  High Level
    2.  Object-oriented Language
    3.  Dynamic typing
    4.  Modular System
    5.  Garbage Collection
    6.  Support for scripting
    7.  Interpreted language
    8.  Portable
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Rad

    Python VS PHP

     
    • Almost everyone thinks Python is a great PHP alternative.

    • Python is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to PHP.

    • Python is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to PHP.

    • Python is Free and Open SourcePHP is also Free and Open Source
    • Python is LightweightPHP is not according to our users
  2. JavaScript icon
     621 likes
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    JavaScript (sometimes shortened to JS) is a lightweight, interpreted, object-oriented language with first-class functions, most known as the scripting language for Web pages, but also used in many non-browser environments.

    61 JavaScript alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • AROS
    • Haiku

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Asynchronous
    2.  Multiplatform
    3.  Interpreted language
    4.  Dynamic typing
    5.  Programmers Documentation
    6.  Extensibility
    7.  Portable
    8.  Support for scripting
    9.  Prototype-based inheritance

    JavaScript VS PHP

     
    Comments about JavaScript as an Alternative to PHP
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Oct 3, 2019
    4

    JavaScript is good for back-end, node.js can do everything, has a lot of advantages compared to php, for example node.js do better routing.

    Guest
    Positive Nov 28, 2019
    -4

    NodeJS is faster and more secure than PHP

    Guest
    Negative Oct 28, 2015
    -21

    Javascript is for front end code

    PHP Icon
    JavaScript icon
    • Most users think JavaScript is a great PHP alternative.

    • JavaScript is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone & iPad alternative to PHP.

    • JavaScript is Free and Open SourcePHP is also Free and Open Source
    • JavaScript is LightweightPHP is not according to our users
  3. Java icon
     654 likes
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    Java is a general-purpose computer programming language that is concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, and specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible.

    73 Java alternatives

    License model

    • Free PersonalOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Java Mobile
    • Symbian S60
    • HP webOS
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Blackberry 10
    • Kindle Fire

    Java Features

    1.  Garbage Collection
    2.  Statically Typed Language
    3.  Object-oriented Language
    4.  Coding
    5.  X86/x64 Compatibility
    6.  Stringent Programming Language

    Java VS PHP

     
    • Most users think Java is a great PHP alternative.

    • Java is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to PHP.

    • Java is Free Personal and Open SourcePHP is Free and Open Source
  4. Ruby icon
     265 likes
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    Ruby is a dynamic, reflective, general purpose object-oriented programming language that combines syntax inspired by Perl with Smalltalk-like features. Ruby originated in Japan during the mid-1990s and was initially developed and designed by Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto.

    78 Ruby alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku

    Ruby Features

    1.  Dynamic typing
    2.  Blocks
    3.  Object-oriented Language
    4.  Text processing
    5.  Interpreter
    6.  Native extension libraries

    Ruby VS PHP

     
  5. Lua icon
     175 likes
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    Lua is a powerful, fast, lightweight, embeddable scripting language.

    Lua combines simple procedural syntax with powerful data description constructs based on associative arrays and extensible semantics. Lua is dynamically typed, runs by interpreting bytecode for a register-based.

    82 Lua alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • BR flagBrazil

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • Playstation
    • MorphOS

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Embeddable
    2.  Support for scripting
    3.  Configuration
    4.  Command line interface

    Lua VS PHP

     
    Comments about Lua as an Alternative to PHP
    Guest
    Positive Mar 4, 2018
    -2

    Can do all that PHP does. Usable for all sorts of software, not just web. Super slim, the opposite of bloatware. Summary: maximum benefit, minimum burden.

    PHP Icon
    Lua icon
    • Lua is Free and Open SourcePHP is also Free and Open Source
    • Lua is LightweightPHP is not according to our users
  6. Perl icon
     139 likes
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    Perl is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted, dynamic programming language with over 22 years of development.

    76 Perl alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    2.  Portable
    3.  Shell integration
    4.  Text processing

    Perl VS PHP

     
  7. Haskell icon
     67 likes
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    Haskell is an advanced purely-functional programming language. An open-source product of more than twenty years of cutting-edge research, it allows rapid development of robust, concise, correct software.

    70 Haskell alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Functional Language
    2.  Static typing
    3.  Tail Call Optimization
    4.  Support for scripting

    Haskell VS PHP

     
  8. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    D is a language with C-like syntax and static typing. It pragmatically combines efficiency, control, and modeling power, with safety and programmer productivity.

    69 D (Programming Language) alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    D (Programming Language) Features

    1.  Multiparadigm
    2.  Compiled Language
    3.  Object-oriented Language
    4.  High Level
    5.  Contract programming
    6.  Functional Language

    D (Programming Language) VS PHP

     
  9. ASP.NET icon
     31 likes
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    Asp.net is an open source server-side Web application framework designed for Web development to produce dynamic Web pages, web sites, apps and services with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. You can also create Web APIs, mobile sites, use real-time technologies like Web Sockets and more!

    52 ASP.NET alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    ASP.NET Features

    1.  Server-side
    2.  Rad
    3.  NET Framework

    ASP.NET VS PHP

     
  10. Elixir icon
     11 likes
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    Elixir is a dynamic, functional language designed for building scalable and maintainable applications.

    68 Elixir alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    • DragonFly BSD

    Elixir Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    2.  Functional Language
    3.  Fault tolerant

    Elixir VS PHP

     
  11. Hack icon
     12 likes
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    Hack is a programming language for HHVM that interoperates seamlessly with PHP. Hack reconciles the fast development cycle of PHP with the discipline provided by static typing, while adding many features commonly found in other modern programming languages.

    46 Hack alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Hack Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    2.  Object-oriented Language
    3.  Interpreter
    4.  Rad

    Hack VS PHP

     
  12. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Programming language with Ruby-like syntax that compiles to efficient native code.

    77 Crystal (programming language) alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux

    Crystal (programming language) VS PHP

     
12 of 44 PHP alternatives