Compare PHP: How It Stacks Up Against Other Web Languages

When you PHP, a server-side scripting language created in 1994 to build dynamic websites. Also known as Hypertext Preprocessor, it powers over 75% of websites that use a server-side language, including giants like Facebook and Wikipedia. is still relevant in 2025, you’re not just asking about code—you’re asking if it can keep up with faster, flashier tools. The answer isn’t yes or no. It’s about context. PHP isn’t the newest kid on the block, but it’s still the most reliable worker in the backend garage. While JavaScript dominates the front end and Python steals headlines in AI and data, PHP quietly handles form processing, user logins, and database connections for millions of sites. You don’t need to love it to need it.

When you compare PHP, a server-side scripting language created in 1994 to build dynamic websites. Also known as Hypertext Preprocessor, it powers over 75% of websites that use a server-side language, including giants like Facebook and Wikipedia. to JavaScript, a language that runs on both client and server, enabling full-stack development with Node.js. Also known as JS, it’s the only language that works natively in browsers and on servers, you’re comparing apples to oranges—or maybe better yet, a Swiss Army knife to a laser cutter. JavaScript lets you build everything in one language, from buttons to APIs. PHP needs help from HTML, CSS, and databases to do the same job. But here’s the twist: PHP is simpler to get started with for basic site logic. You don’t need to understand async functions or event loops. Just write a few lines, connect to MySQL, and you’ve got a working login page. That’s why thousands of small businesses still use WordPress, which runs on PHP, to manage their websites without hiring a full dev team.

Then there’s Python, a clean, readable language used heavily in data science, AI, and backend development with frameworks like Django and Flask. Also known as Python programming language, it’s often taught in schools for its beginner-friendly syntax. Python looks cleaner than PHP. Its code reads like plain English. But Python isn’t built for the web the way PHP is. You can build a website with Django, sure—but you’re adding layers. PHP was made for the web from day one. It’s embedded directly into HTML. No build steps. No complex setups. Just open a .php file, add some code, upload it, and it works. For someone who just wants to tweak a form, fix a contact page, or add a simple product catalog, PHP is faster. For someone building a scalable SaaS app with machine learning? Python wins. But most websites aren’t SaaS apps. They’re blogs, stores, portfolios. And for those, PHP still holds the edge.

And let’s not forget the ecosystem. PHP has WordPress, Laravel, Drupal, Magento—all massive platforms built on it. You don’t need to write everything from scratch. You can install a theme, customize a plugin, and launch a site in hours. Compare that to starting from zero with JavaScript or Python. The learning curve is steeper. The tools are more fragmented. PHP gives you structure without forcing you to learn a dozen frameworks first.

So when you compare PHP, you’re not just comparing syntax. You’re comparing speed, simplicity, and real-world use. It’s not the sexiest language. It doesn’t trend on Twitter. But it’s still the backbone of the web for millions of small and mid-sized sites. If you’re learning to build websites—not AI models or mobile apps—PHP isn’t dead. It’s just quietly doing its job. Below, you’ll find real comparisons, salary insights, and practical guides on how to use PHP today, whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading your skills.