If you are looking to build a web solution and PHP is your desired framework then the ultimate dilemma you are going to face is Laravel vs Symfony. These both are famous PHP frameworks with the ability to power revolutionary solutions. One is robust and the other is flexible, but the question still stands which one is the best to bestow your solution with all the features you are looking to integrate? And in this blog, we are going to answer exactly this!
Indeed, these both are fully developed dynamic frameworks with their respective pros, cons, features, and applications. So, it’s time to empower you to choose the best PHP framework to make your project the next success story. Also, read till the end because we are also going to tell you a way to choose the best one.
It’s your turn to find a suitable match between Laravel and Symfony and we are starting with Laravel.
Laravel vs Symfony: What Is Laravel?
Laravel is a free PHP framework built for the efficient development of web apps with its built-in features. It is mainly a backend framework (also provides minor front-end functionality) developed by Taylor Otwell in June 2011 as a substitute for CodeIgniter.
Source: Laravel News
The latest stable version of Laravel is 11 which came in March this year portraying the rapid growth of this framework. Although built on the philosophy of reusing existing elements, it leverages the advantages of PHP features.
For instance, OOP (object-oriented programming) gives a clean syntax. Some of the other features of Laravel are given below.
Features of Laravel
Laravel is one of the most used PHP frameworks that aims at serving best to all. It reduces the risk of hacking and malware with built-in authenticating & password options.
Some other features that make it popular among the developers are given below:
- Highly developer-friendly.
- Seamless session handling.
- Supports model-view-controller architecture.
- Empower users to find loopholes quickly.
- Pre-developed & lightweight templates.
- Flawless object-relational mapping.
In addition to amazing features, it is an easy-to-learn framework for PHP developers, who are looking to reduce development time due to its simplicity.
When to use Laravel?
Laravel with its superb features like localization and high security is superb for the development of web apps. You should hire Laravel developers when 👇
- Efficient development & deployment of web apps is required.
- Development of custom apps to fulfill your specific needs.
- SaaS-based applications & multilingual CMS platforms.
- Online streaming apps.
- Surveillance applications.
Due to its excellent features, Laravel is used by big companies worldwide to fuel their digital solutions, also generating the need for companies to hire dedicated remote developers. Mainly, because of their less cost and top-notch work.
Laravel Use Cases
Laravel is open source with expressive syntax which offers an easy and satisfying experience. Thereby making it a robust base of many dynamic solutions.
Indeed, Laravel is an amazing framework with vast support and great documentation facility putting its web developers in demand. In addition to being super developer-friendly with elegant syntax.
Gain access to Superior Laravel development services.
But still, Laravel has some limitations like it’s a bit complex with less flexibility and to help you better understand its capabilities and cons we have made a table.
Pros and Cons of Laravel
Just like other frameworks Laravel also excels at many things whilst having its shortcomings.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple coding | Bit complex |
| Developer friendly | Not degradable |
| Easy data migration | Weak composer & highly opinionated |
| Efficient development cycle |
Despite its pros and cons, Laravel is popular among developers for quick web app development.
Laravel Development Trends 2024
This year the popular Laravel trends especially regarding web application development that are revolutionizing the landscape of technology are given below:
Now you have all the information about Laravel so it’s time to move towards Symfony challenging Laravel in this ultimate discussion of Laravel vs Symfony.
Laravel vs Symfony: What Is Symfony?
It is an open-source framework that consists of PHP components to meet the dynamic needs of the developers. This backend framework was specifically designed to develop web apps in a hassle-free manner by Fabian Potencier in October 2005.
Source: GitHub
The primary concept behind it is to minimize development difficulties and save time to design an app of their choice. In addition to all this, it is a feature-rich framework that provides developers with simple tools to develop complex feature-filled apps.
Features of Symfony
Symfony PHP framework is versatile enough to fuel a range of different solutions that promise to fulfill the different needs of businesses.
- Uses Twig templating language.
- Offers hassle-free development.
- Efficient debugging of solutions.
- Develops structured MVC.
Its multiple features make it remarkable for the development of flawless and flexible solutions fulfilling the various needs of businesses.
When to use Symfony?
Symfony can be most suitable in the following situations 👇
- Appropriate for long-term projects.
- Enables efficient development.
- Ability to integrate with other systems.
- Highly scalable architecture.
This framework, due to its various uses, has become popular to power solutions around the globe.
Symfony Use Cases
Some of the famous names that have trusted Symfony to power their solutions are given below:
Symfony is a flexible framework that focuses on bestowing scalability to the solutions it is integrated into. Also, it has strong community support making it beginner-friendly.
It is assuredly the best for web app development at the enterprise level.
Let’s start a next-level Symfony project 🚀 to digitize your business!
In this Symfony vs Laravel, Symfony also has some limitations like Laravel, but its advantages outweigh its disadvantages.
Pros and Cons of SymfonyPerformance rich features
Symfony is an amazing choice for the development of feature-rich apps. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of Symfony are given below:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No lengthy coding required | Slow speed |
| Performance rich features | Time-consuming |
| Simplify the unit testing process | |
| Efficient operation of lengthy databases |
Indeed, Symfony is dynamic, scalable, and one of the most demanded frameworks of PHP.
Symfony Development Trends 2024
The trends that are going to stay this year involving Symfony are API development & CMS integration etc.
Laravel and Symfony are both feature-rich and quite feasible for web development. Now you know the main concept, usability, advantages, and disadvantages of both so it’s time to note the difference between them.
Laravel vs Symfony: Head-to-Head Comparison
In Laravel vs Symfony, Laravel excels in simplicity and efficient development whilst Symfony believes in providing more flexibility. Some other differences between these frameworks are given below 👇
| Features | Laravel | Symfony |
|---|---|---|
| Routing | Simple & expressive routing | Flexible routing concept |
| Flexibility | Opinionated | Highly customizable |
| Speed | Fast | Slow & time consuming |
| Template Engine | Blade | Twig |
| Suitability | Efficient development | Suitable for large complex apps |
| CLI | Artisan | Symfony console component |
| Popularity | Widely popular in web development, web app development | Suitable for enterprise solution development |
| URI Routing | Provides simple & intuitive URI routing | Offers flexible & robust routing system for complex URL matching |
| Session management | Contains in-built session management for user-specific data storage | Provides various storage options & user-friendly features. |
| Authentication | Has built-in mechanisms for authentication | Manual set up which means more flexibility |
| Data Modeling | Robust knowledge of SQL is required. Eloquent ties the application to DB schema design, giving less flexibility in this term. | An expert knowledge of SQL is not required; however, you need to develop a repository for each call. |
Both Symfony and Laravel are PHP frameworks and despite their differences, there are some similarities between them. Let’s have a look at the similarities too so that you have the true picture in your mind before you decide.
Symfony vs Laravel: Similarities
They both share some similarities such as the use of MVC architecture and powerful community support. So, in this battle of Symfony vs Laravel let’s see some other similarities:
- These are both cross-platform frameworks.
- They support multi-language content.
- Both follow MVC design & object-relational mapping.
- Laravel as well as Symfony have a huge community.
- These are both PHP frameworks.
- Availability of CLI tools.
- Backed by a huge developer community.
By looking at both, it might get difficult for you to decide which framework of PHP can be best for your next project. But you can make this decision easily by assessing the following factors such as project scope and complexity.
Laravel vs Symfony: Factors to Consider Before You Choose
Choosing between Laravel and Symfony can be a complex decision because both are monumental languages of the PHP ecosystem. But the pointers given below can help you decide which framework can be a perfect match for your next project.
1. Requirements of your Project
You can decide between Laravel or Symfony by assessing your project needs. If you have an enterprise-level project with multiple features, then Symfony is best. But for small projects, you can go to Laravel which offers efficient development.
2. Business Goals
If you are looking for a robust, customizable, and efficient solution then Laravel is perfect whereas if your business requires a data-heavy website then go for Symfony.
3. Time Constraints
This is a major factor upon which the selection of your framework can change because Laravel is the best fit if you are looking for swift development and deployment. Whereas Symfony can be appropriate when you have more time. Also, for long-term projects, Symfony can be an appropriate choice.
4. Cost
You need to select the framework that suits your pocket so the cost of hiring Laravel developers on an hourly basis can be $25-$150. Moreover, the cost of Symfony developers can be $30-$160.
Laravel vs Symfony: The Ultimate Answer
Both Symfony and Laravel are reliable, secure, and robust frameworks that are popular for web app development. With Model View Controller architecture, you can improve code organization, and get scalable code bases.
They indeed offer a strong base, and the only difference lies in the level of project complexity and size. As also explained above, you can select Symfony for large-scale projects whereas Laravel for small ones.
Therefore, we can say that Laravel wins in terms of efficiency whereas Symfony is good for long term projects 🏆.
If you are still confused, then a simple trick is to jot down all your project requirements and goals. Once you are done try to match your needs with the features of each framework and select the one which suits you best. Indeed, this process can be time taking not to mention putting your resources and whole project at risk. However, consulting a web or mobile app development company can help you select the best framework.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laravel better than Symfony?
Selecting between Symfony and Laravel depends on the project’s scope, complexity, budget, and timeline. In general, if you are looking to build a project in a short time then Laravel is a good choice. However, Symfony can be appropriate for long-term projects.
What are the disadvantages of Symfony?
Symfony has a steep learning curve due to its modular architecture and extensive configuration also its focus on flexibility can lead to more complex codebases.
Is Symfony easier than Laravel?
Symfony and Laravel are among the most famous PHP frameworks. However, Symfony has a steeper learning curve than Laravel because of its modular nature and configurability.
Which PHP framework is the fastest?
Another PHP framework that is making waves is Phalcon because of its speed and efficiency. It’s very lightweight and uses MVC architecture like Symfony and Laravel.
Is Laravel built on top of Symfony?
Laravel is not built on Symfony as they both are distinct frameworks with different design principles. However, in the Laravel project the Symfony components can be used independently.
