To attract and retain as many users as possible, companies today need reliable, scalable, and feature-rich digital solutions. A critical factor in achieving this goal is selecting the right programming language for web development. Among the many options available, two languages dominate discussions: PHP and Python.
Both have been around for decades, both are widely adopted, and both have their passionate advocates. But when it comes to building interactive web applications, many business leaders and developers ask the same question: Which is better — PHP or Python?
This article, prepared by Progressive Robot, takes an in-depth look at the strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases of PHP and Python. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which language is the best fit for your project.
What Is Python?
Python is a high-level, interpreted, object-oriented programming language with dynamic semantics. Unlike PHP, which was originally developed as a web scripting language, Python was designed as a general-purpose language. Its flexibility allows it to power everything from machine learning algorithms and data science projects to web applications and automation scripts.
One of Python’s key strengths lies in its simplicity. The language’s clean, English-like syntax makes it easy to read, write, and debug, which explains why it has become a favorite among beginner and experienced developers alike.
Python also enjoys massive popularity in the developer community. It consistently ranks at the top of programming language indexes like TIOBE and PYPL, reflecting its widespread use and continued relevance.
The ecosystem surrounding Python is another reason for its dominance. Frameworks like Django, Flask, Pyramid, Falcon, and Bottle give developers powerful tools to quickly create scalable and secure applications. And because Python is open source, its ecosystem continues to grow, supported by an active, global community.
What Is Python Used For?
Being a universal language, Python has countless applications across industries. Some of the world’s biggest tech giants rely on Python for their most critical systems. Google, Microsoft, Meta, Reddit, Netflix, Dropbox, Uber, and Spotify are just a few examples of companies leveraging Python.
Key uses of Python include:
Web application development: Frameworks like Django and Flask are widely used for building secure, scalable websites.
Data analysis and machine learning: Python dominates this field with libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, TensorFlow, and Scikit-learn.
Automation and scripting: From managing servers to testing software, Python is a go-to language for automation.
Prototyping and testing: Because of its simplicity, Python is often used to quickly build prototypes or conduct tests before full-scale development.
This versatility makes Python an attractive option for businesses that may want to expand their application into new areas, such as AI or big data, in the future.
Features of Python
Python’s continued success can be attributed to several defining features:
First, its simple syntax makes it one of the easiest programming languages to learn. Many beginners start with Python before moving on to more complex languages.
Second, Python is cross-platform, running on Windows, macOS, Linux, and more. Developers don’t need to write different versions of the same application for different platforms, which saves time and money.
Third, Python is extremely versatile. It can be used for everything from web development and automation to artificial intelligence. This flexibility ensures that businesses adopting Python aren’t boxed into a narrow set of applications.
Additionally, Python is scalable. Applications built with Python can grow seamlessly as user demand increases, without requiring a complete code overhaul.
These qualities explain why so many companies turn to Python when deciding between PHP or Python for their projects.
What Is PHP?
PHP is a general-purpose, server-side scripting language created specifically for web development. While Python began as a general-purpose language and later expanded into web applications, PHP took the opposite path. It was designed to handle websites and dynamic content from the start.
Over time, PHP has grown into a dominant force on the web. According to statistics, 77.4% of all websites use PHP, including industry giants like Facebook, Pinterest, Yahoo, and Wikipedia. Its integration with content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal has made it nearly synonymous with web development.
Despite being less “trendy” than Python among developers on platforms like GitHub, PHP still holds a massive share of the web development market. Statista places PHP’s market share at around 45.43%, reflecting its ongoing relevance.
What Is PHP Used For?
PHP’s primary use case is website and web application development. Its deep integration with CMS platforms has made it the go-to language for building blogs, business sites, e-commerce platforms, and even enterprise-level portals.
For example, WordPress — which powers over 40% of all websites globally — is written in PHP. This fact alone ensures PHP’s enduring popularity.
Beyond CMS-driven sites, PHP is also widely used for:
E-commerce portals (Magento, Shopify, OpenCart)
Dynamic web pages with real-time functionality
Mailing services and project management tools
Social networks and online communities
Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)
In short, PHP remains a cornerstone of the modern web, particularly for content-heavy and dynamic websites.
Features of PHP
Like Python, PHP’s popularity stems from key features that make it developer-friendly and business-relevant.
PHP is cross-platform, running seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It’s also open source, meaning developers can access its core code for free and contribute to its improvement.
It’s considered easy to learn, especially for developers with some basic programming knowledge.
One of PHP’s biggest strengths is database integration. It connects effortlessly with MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and many other databases — making it ideal for content-driven websites.
Finally, PHP has a massive community of developers who continually contribute frameworks and tools. Popular frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, and Yii enable faster, more efficient development.
These characteristics make PHP a compelling option for companies deciding whether PHP or Python is the better choice.
PHP or Python: A Detailed Comparison
To understand which language is better for web development, let’s break down their differences across several important criteria.
Complexity and Ease of Use
Python’s readability and simplicity give it an advantage over PHP in terms of learning curve. Its syntax is closer to plain English, which makes debugging and maintaining code much easier.
PHP, on the other hand, has a more rigid and sometimes inconsistent syntax. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it can make development more complex for large-scale projects.
For businesses hiring developers, it’s often easier to find Python developers with a broad range of skills compared to experienced PHP specialists.
Performance
Performance has historically been a point of debate. Python was once considered faster, but with the release of PHP 7, PHP’s execution speed has dramatically improved. For data-heavy applications where speed is critical, PHP can even outperform Python.
However, both languages are capable of handling most modern web applications effectively. Factors like code quality, server setup, and hardware resources often play a bigger role in determining performance.
Security
Security is a top concern in web development. Python is widely regarded as one of the most secure programming languages, with frameworks like Django offering built-in security features that guard against common threats.
PHP, meanwhile, has faced criticism in the past due to poor coding practices by inexperienced developers. While the community has addressed many of these issues, security in PHP projects still relies heavily on developer expertise.
In short, when choosing between PHP or Python, businesses prioritizing security may lean toward Python, but both can be secure when best practices are followed.
Community Support
Both languages boast vibrant, global communities. PHP has been powering websites since 1995, while Python has been around since 1991. Developers in either ecosystem can rely on extensive documentation, forums, tutorials, and open-source contributions.
The choice here is less about availability of support — both are excellent — and more about which language aligns with your long-term project goals.
Scalability
Modern businesses need applications that can grow. PHP offers robust frameworks like Laravel and Symfony that make scaling possible.
Python’s scalability, however, goes beyond web development. With frameworks like Django and Flask, combined with its dominance in AI and machine learning, Python allows businesses to integrate advanced features as they grow. This makes Python particularly attractive for companies exploring big data or artificial intelligence in addition to web development.
PHP or Python: Which Should You Choose?
While PHP and Python are both suitable for web development, the “better” choice depends on your project’s needs.
If your business requires a content-driven website, particularly one built on WordPress or another CMS, PHP is often the smarter option. Its integration with content management systems and its speed with PHP 7 make it highly effective for e-commerce and dynamic sites.
If, however, your project involves data science, AI, or machine learning, or you want a flexible and scalable language for long-term growth, Python is the better investment. Its simplicity also reduces development time and lowers the learning curve for new developers joining your team.
At Progressive Robot, we advise clients based on their unique needs. In many cases, the choice between PHP or Python isn’t about which language is objectively superior — it’s about which one aligns with the company’s strategy, industry, and long-term goals.
Bottom Line
Choosing between PHP or Python for web development isn’t easy. Both are powerful, widely used, and supported by strong communities. PHP shines in content management and e-commerce, while Python excels in versatility, simplicity, and emerging technologies like AI.
For small to medium-sized projects focused on websites and content, PHP is often the right fit. For complex, scalable solutions with advanced integrations, Python is hard to beat.
Progressive Robot specializes in helping businesses navigate these choices. Whether you’re building a feature-rich e-commerce portal in PHP or a machine-learning-powered web application in Python, our team of experts ensures your project is future-ready and tailored to your business goals.
Ready to start your next web development project? Contact Progressive Robot today to find out whether PHP or Python is the right solution for you.