PHP or Python for Backend: Which Should You Learn First?

You’re staring at a fork in the road: PHP or Python for backend work? Both power millions of websites—yet they feel like totally different worlds. Some say PHP’s old news. Others swear by it. Meanwhile, Python’s popularity just keeps climbing, thanks to its clean syntax and wild reputation in AI and data science.

Here’s the funny part: most real-world web projects work fine with either one. So, this choice isn’t about picking a “winner”—it’s about figuring out which fits your situation best. Do you want quick access to classic web jobs, or do you care more about flexibility and modern frameworks?

Skip the hype—let’s get into what actually affects your wallet, your learning time, and your options after you’ve put in some hours with either language. Because nobody wants to spend months grinding away and realize they picked the wrong horse.

• What Really Matters for Backend Development?
• PHP: The Old Reliable Workhorse
• Python: The Versatile New Favorite
• Which One Gives You the Most Opportunity?

What Really Matters for Backend Development?

Picking a backend language isn’t just about what’s trending this year—it should solve real problems for your website or app. The main things developers care about? Speed of development, performance, community support, and where the jobs are.

Let’s break that down. When you’re building with PHP or Python, you want to know if the language helps you move fast without getting lost in weird bugs or outdated documentation. Both languages let you create everything from blogs to massive social platforms, but your choice will nudge you toward certain tools and hosting options.

Security matters too. No one wants their site hacked because of sloppy handling of user data. Both PHP and Python have frameworks that help you dodge typical security mistakes, but it’s still on you to keep on top of best practices.

Another point: What kind of team do you want to work with or join? Some companies run their whole tech stack on LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP). Others lean on Python’s Django or Flask frameworks for a more modern workflow. These choices affect the kinds of roles you’ll find and the projects you’ll work on.

At the end of the day, you’re looking for a language that keeps you productive, is easy to fix when stuff breaks, and opens doors for paying work. Stay real about what you want: a huge library ecosystem, friendly tutorials, or super-fast deployment? These details, not just language “coolness,” will actually change your dev life.

PHP: The Old Reliable Workhorse

Let's get right to it: PHP runs almost 77% of all websites with a known server-side language, according to W3Techs as of May 2025. That includes heavy hitters like Facebook (historically), Wikipedia, and WordPress. If you picture the backbone of the web, PHP is absolutely part of that backbone. It's been powering dynamic web development projects since the '90s and doesn't show signs of just fading away.

So why do people keep using PHP? First, hosting and deployment are ridiculously simple. Most hosting providers offer one-click support for PHP. No headaches, no complex configs. If you're working on anything from personal blogs to medium-sized e-commerce shops, PHP tends to “just work,” often right out of the box.

Another big thing: the job market. There’s a steady flow of PHP jobs because of how many businesses rely on old but crucial systems. If you're hoping to get your foot in the door quickly, especially on projects involving WordPress, Magento, or Drupal, you'll spot a ton of PHP openings. That means less waiting for your first paycheck or freelance gig.

• Huge supply of open-source tools and plugins, especially for content management.
• Large, active community—if you get stuck, help is usually a Google search away.
• Basic sites are fast to launch and update. Iteration is quick.

But here’s the reality check: there are quirks and weird legacy behaviors. For instance, function naming isn’t always consistent, and PHP has some loose typing weirdness that can catch you off guard. Still, the language keeps getting better. PHP 8 brought legit speed boosts and safer syntax—stuff that makes a difference when you care about performance or you’re working with modern codebases.

PHP might not seem flashy, but for anyone looking to land jobs quickly or maintain real-world apps, it’s still very relevant. It pays the bills and doesn’t take forever to pick up—especially if you already know some HTML and CSS.

Python: The Versatile New Favorite

You can’t talk backend these days without running into Python. It’s not just the new kid on the block—at this point, it’s basically everywhere. Look at any job board in 2025 and you’ll find roles asking for Python skills, not only in classic backend web dev but also in data, AI, scripting, and even automation. The big selling point? Its simple syntax, which almost reads like normal English. If you’re new, you’ll probably pick up the basics a lot faster than with PHP.

Frameworks like Django and Flask are the main engines for Python web projects. Django has a ton of built-in features, so you can launch a secure, database-driven website without piecing together dozens of add-ons. Flask keeps things lightweight and flexible if you want more control or a smaller codebase. Both have strong communities, loads of open-source extensions, and solid docs.

Python also shines outside of web development. That’s why so many folks switch to it after getting a taste of backend work—it opens up worlds in data analysis, machine learning, and automation. Ever heard of Instagram or Dropbox? Yep, both run a ton of their backend logic on Python’s shoulders. And it's not just tech giants; startups love how quickly they can prototype and scale with Python.

If you like stats, check this out:

Python’s backend jobs keep climbing, especially for folks interested in newer tech. But there’s a catch: deploying Python (especially Django) can involve more moving parts than a traditional PHP setup. You often need to know your way around virtual environments, package managers like pip, and some terminal commands. Not rocket science, but it’s an extra layer.

Another pro tip: recruiters love to see the ability to switch gears—being able to juggle backend work, automate boring tasks, and do basic data analysis all makes Python a great option if you want a broader career path. So, if you’re someone who doesn’t want to box themselves into just one kind of coding gig, Python makes a strong case.

Which One Gives You the Most Opportunity?

Now for the big question—will PHP or Python hook you up with more real chances at good jobs, growth, and interesting work?

PHP is everywhere you look in the web world. Sites like Facebook (at least in its early days), Wikipedia, and WordPress all grew up on PHP. In fact, WordPress runs around 40% of the web, and nearly all the popular hosting services let you spin up a PHP server in seconds. So, if you want steady work building or maintaining websites—especially for small-to-medium businesses or e-commerce shops—PHP means a ton of gigs out there.

Python, on the other hand, is like your cool tech-savvy friend who does a bit of everything. Django and Flask are huge for modern web apps—so lots of startups and tech-forward companies use Python for their API backends. But the real bonus? Python isn't just for web. It’s also the go-to for AI, data analysis, automation, and even hacking together quick scripts. That opens doors way outside classic web dev.

Just to lay it out, here are a few areas where you’ll see PHP and Python pop up in job listings:

• PHP: WordPress development, e-commerce (Magento, WooCommerce), content management, legacy code support, custom website builds
• Python: API/web app development (Django/Flask), automation, data analysis, machine learning, growing startups, SaaS platforms

If you’re looking for pure volume of job openings, take a look at this snapshot from a recent week (April 2025):

Python leads in sheer numbers and versatility, but PHP is far from dying. Those PHP jobs usually want someone who can step into an existing codebase—perfect if you learn by fixing old things and adding features.

Think about where you want to be. If you love the idea of classic web projects or freelancing for small businesses, strong PHP chops are like a golden ticket. If you want a shot at tech startups, automation, or data-heavy projects, Python is probably your best bet.

Bottom line? Neither language locks you out. But Python’s wide reach and bigger growth in tech futures (AI, automation) mean you’ll have broader career flexibility down the line. For rock-solid web work and gig security, PHP still packs a punch—especially if you’re jumping into the job market fast.