Every app needs to be compelling enough to get picked by the end users. And which framework other than PHP is to be used for building robust apps that can captivate users’ attention and improve the UX. Whether it is about building a complex, big-ticket business portal or a simple application, PHP can do all that along with catering to a complete spectrum of commercial needs.

LARAVEL

Elegant syntax and high expressiveness are two of the many highlights of Laravel. This web application development framework is engineered to streamline the entire web development process. And it does that by easing a lot of common tasks, including authentication, routing, sessions, and aching.

This tool can be used when the app’s size must be large and robust; also, the framework is a winner when the developer wants the app to have the following elements:

• An inversion control container
• An expressive migration system
• ightly integrated unit testing support

This platform is best suited as and when the task requires building really humongous applications. However, that does not mean that this platform is a waste when the developers need to build everyday JASON APIs; that is, this platform is well suited for every project whether its scope is large or small.

This platform is made of a range of Symfony components that easily provide a strong foundation for reliable, well-tested codes. Similarly, the Composer components of this framework can let developers manage all the third-party packages of the application and can even allow the platform to work well on SQLite, MySQL, Postgres, and SQL Server.

CODEIGNITER

If the business is looking for a really powerful PHP framework that is having a relatively smaller footprint, pick CodeIgniter. This platform is a true-born hero for all those developers who require building feature-rich web apps using an elegant, simple toolkit.

Plus, what is exciting is that this platform does not require any type of configuration to begin its work; and it does not even support any restrictive coding rules that sometimes throttle a developer’s efficiency. With CodeIgniter, a developer can get access to a set of libraries that can be used for everyday tasks such as:

• Building a simple interface
• Creating a logical structure to get the access to all these libraries

This platform is extremely fast because its core systems need only a couple of small-sized libraries. However, there are a few additional libraries that are dynamically loaded and can be called upon anytime based on a project’s needs.

That is, the base of this system is pretty agile and lean. Also, the CodeIgniter leverages the MVC Controller approach because it allows bridging both logic and presentation in a crystal-clear way; this specific feature proves to be really beneficial whenever the project requirements state that the designer needs to work on separate template files.

CAKEPHP

This specific platform empowers the developers to build web apps at high speed by using a range of code-generating features that, further, assist in building prototypes. And here is the best part no complex configurations need be kept in mind; rather, all that the developers require is to set up the database.

Also, features such as database access, validation, caching, authentication, and translation are built within the framework. Also, this framework comes packed with immaculate MVC conventions that guide the development team in building cutting-edge web apps.

From user’s initial requests to the final display of web pages, CakePHP makes it simpler to handle each of the many aspects of application development. Some other highlights of this very framework are written below.

• It has a robust organizational structure that will keep the team’s filenames along with database table names intact.
• Such a quality organizational structure is needed to keep the entire app pretty logical and consistent regardless of the elements influencing the development environment.
• This platform even comes with a range of built-in tools that are used for protecting against SQL injection and for validation of the application; such built-in tools basically let the app remain absolutely secure.

Because of all these factors, every leading PHP development company has gained expertise in working with CakePHP.

SYMFONY

When it comes to speeding up the maintenance and the creation of the PHP app development work, then this framework will be apt to use. Symfony lets developers use even the existing standards of PHP naming conventions and PHP Unit, for example. Along with that, this platform has various software components that are necessary for the project’s success.

This platform has an array of prefabricated components that can easily integrate themselves into your application. And such integrations and countless other complex tasks can be easily achieved by following a well-defined methodology. Whether it is upgradeability, stability, or maintainability, this platform ensures everything that is necessary to develop a cutting-edge app is available.

The development team will have to go for the Full Stack version if the app to be developed is a complex one. Else, the team can even adopt the Brick by Brick approach for creating the required frameworks and functionality.

YII

If the team is looking for a high-performance PHP framework, this will be among the ones to be leveraged. Having an immensely powerful caching support system, this framework is designed to work seamlessly with AJAX.

Security, as a feature, is always required while designing PHP applications; and here is where Yii is a hands-down winner. Whether it is output filtering, SQL injection, input validation, or cross-site scripting prevention, this platform is equipped to perform such tasks with surpassed efficiency.

This platform follows the MVC pattern that enables and develops reusable, clean codes that, like those of CodeIgniter, ensure clear separation of presentation and logic. In this platform, the developer can easily avoid tedious nature of penning repetitive (and sometimes complex) SQL statements; further, with this platform, developers can seamlessly model database data, too.

So here are the top five PHP frameworks that have, to date, allowed countless developers to build apps commercial or personal that are a hit among users.