Advanced PHP frameworks are tools designed to help with content management and web design. This makes them very similar to something like WordPress, except that they allow you far more flexibility and enable you to create interactive, web 2.0 designs.

Among the most well-known are:

• Symfony Framework
• CodeIgniter Framework
• Lavarel Framework
• CakePHP Framework
• Seagull Framework

To explain this a little better, bear in mind that WordPress itself is created with PHP. This is a programming language that runs ‘server side’. That means it does various calculations and reads various files before deciding what kind of content to show the user, or what options to show you when you log-in to edit a page.

You can use WordPress to design a site, or you could try and create your ‘own’ WordPress by using PHP. Choosing a PHP framework though can be thought of as a kind of compromise between those two options. In this case, you’ll be building something like WordPress (or perhaps a social network like Facebook!) but you’ll be using a set of tools to make that a little easier. The PHP framework provides you with APIs, classes and libraries that basically ensure that PHP is as suitable as possible for doing this.

But just as there are multiple CMS options and multiple programming languages, there are also multiple options for your PHP framework. So many decisions!

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular PHP frameworks comparision and see which are most popular.

Symfony Framework

Symfony is a PHP framework that is aimed at the more advanced developer. This gives you a lot more control over the deeper level code, allowing you to create something truly unique to your own business and letting you use advanced features. This is perhaps the best option for professional developers/big businesses looking to build enterprise-level applications. However, it is not particularly user friendly!

Lavarel Framework

Lavarel is another PHP framework that is a little better suited to beginners. Its main focus is on practical and rapid development but the initial bare bones set of tools has developed over time to include some of the more advanced features from Symfony.

CodeIgniter Framework

CodeIgniter is a well-known and popular PHP framework that is very user friendly and has a large amount of support. It will take a small learning curve to begin with but if you’re a fast learner and you hit up some YouTube tutorials, then anyone can realistically expect to give this a go and be successful!

CakePHP Framework

Like Lavarel, CakePHP was built around speed and ease of use. That said though, it also offers a lot of more advanced features. Ultimately, the choice between Lavarel and CakePHP is likely to come down simply to personal preference.

Zend Framework

This one belongs a little more at the advanced end of the spectrum. It is particularly suitable for web 2.0 applications – so if you want to build a tool or a network rather than a ‘website’, then it might be a good choice!

Other PHP Framworks include Kohana, Aura, Phalcon and Seagull! If you’re not sure where to begin, then get in touch and we will happily recommend the best tool for the job. And if you like, we can build your site for you as well!

If you are still thinking about Framework or CMS, take a look at Compare PHP Frameworks and CMS and make a decision.