PHP developer pros and cons

When working with PHP developer, someone who writes server‑side code using the PHP language to build dynamic websites and web applications. Also known as PHP programmer, the role sits at the heart of many popular platforms. For example, WordPress, a widely used content management system built on PHP relies heavily on PHP expertise to customize themes, craft plugins, and extend functionality. Full‑stack development, the practice of handling both front‑end and back‑end tasks often includes PHP as the back‑end engine, especially when the front‑end uses JavaScript frameworks. Likewise, backend development, the server‑side portion of an application may be powered by PHP because of its mature ecosystem and extensive library support. Finally, web hosting, services that store and serve website files frequently offers one‑click PHP setups, making deployment fast and inexpensive.

What makes PHP a solid choice – and where it falls short

The biggest pros of being a PHP developer are familiarity and reach. PHP powers roughly 78% of all websites, so job listings are abundant and freelance gigs flow steady. The language ships with built‑in web‑oriented functions, so you can spin up a form handler or API endpoint with just a few lines. Its community contributes countless packages via Composer, giving you ready‑made solutions for everything from authentication to payment gateways. On the hosting side, virtually every provider supports PHP out of the box, so you rarely have to fight for the right environment.

On the cons side, performance can lag behind newer runtimes like Node.js or Go, especially for compute‑heavy workloads. Legacy codebases often mix procedural and object‑oriented styles, making maintenance tricky. Security is another concern; PHP’s loose typing and widespread use mean vulnerabilities crop up if you don’t follow best practices. Finally, the rise of headless CMSs and JAMstack architectures has nudged some teams toward JavaScript‑centric stacks, reducing the appeal of a pure PHP approach.

Understanding these trade‑offs helps you decide when PHP fits the project and when another language might serve better. Below you’ll find articles that dig deeper into related topics—responsive design breakpoints, the cost of building a site, full‑stack frameworks, and more—so you can see how PHP intersects with the broader web development landscape.

Ready to explore the details? The collection that follows breaks down real‑world scenarios, offers practical tips, and shows where PHP shines or needs support. Dive in and find the guidance you need to make an informed choice about a PHP development career or project.