We’re sure you’ve heard of PHP more than a few times in your life. That’s because it’s so popular and used in applications like Facebook, WordPress and countless others. But what is PHP used for and what exactly is it? PHP is a type of language that’s open-source and very frequently used in web development. Many people use it for web development, e-commerce sites, web applications, CRM systems, and even little side projects like GUIs because it can be embedded into HTML code.
PHP is popular with most programmers because of its flexibility, scalability, and the easy integration with most databases. But what is PHP used for specifically, and why is it so relevant even in 2025? This guide explores PHP uses, applications, and advantages in modern web development.
What is PHP Used For?
Over the years, PHP has been the unsung hero of some of the biggest websites and content management systems that you can find on the web, making it both an important and popular choice for programmers all over. We bet you didn’t know Tumblr and Yahoo both use PHP!
CMS
PHP can work with databases, generate dynamic content, and support a bunch of different frameworks, well-earning its place as a leading programming language in the web industry.
This is because PHP is a very versatile language that lets developers build dynamic and interactive web applications while embedding the code into HTML.
Unlike static HTML pages, which remain as they are until they’re manually updated, PHP lets websites display content that updates dynamically based on user interactions or database modifications. This makes PHP essential for building blogs, news portals, and interactive websites that rely on real-time content updates.
Seamless Database Interaction
Additionally, PHP uses extend to database interaction, facilitating seamless communication with relational databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. Its integration capabilities enable developers to create login systems, e-commerce platforms, forums, and various applications requiring efficient data storage and retrieval.
Server-side Scripting and Command-Line Scripting
Another major PHP use is in server-side scripting. It’s when developers process data and generate the responses on the server before sending out the HTML to users on their devices. This enhances security and ensures smooth, efficient website performance.
PHP also deals with command-line scripting. Developers can use PHP to automate boring, repetitive tasks like file processing, data migration, and server management. A third, niche example of what is PHP used for is desktop application development via PHP-GTK.
Some common places where you can expect to find PHP used for development include:
Website and Web Application Development
Interactive websites and apps are the two things most frequently created using PHP. Many developers prefer PHP because of how easy it is to integrate with the trinity of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
You’ll find PHP used for building content management systems (CMS) and platforms like WordPress, Joomla, HubSpot, and Drupal. They use PHP to keep up millions of websites across a range of different industries. These CMS platforms provide businesses and individuals with scalable and also very user-friendly tools for creating and managing content online.
E-commerce Websites
E-commerce platforms are probably the biggest fans of PHP for its flexibility and its smooth-as-butter database integration. You’ll hear big names like WooCommerce, Shopify and Magento all using PHP. That’s because many online e-commerce stores rely on PHP for providing their users with seamless shopping experiences, they’ve all come to know and love.
PHP can handle secure transactions and integrate with multiple payment gateways and platforms, so this makes it an essential part of the world of modern online retail businesses. Many companies and even individuals hire PHP developers to customize their e-commerce platforms and online stores to meet their specific business needs and grow their business online.
Custom Web Applications
Businesses will often need specific solutions and strategies to meet their growth goals. PHP can help build scalable, high-performing web applications that are also customized to specific business strategies and growth plans.
Companies that are looking for custom CRM systems, data analytics dashboards, or booking systems often hire backend developers to develop applications using PHP frameworks like Laravel and CodeIgniter to get them customized solutions. These PHP frameworks simplify the development process while also ensuring that there’s high security, flexibility, and scalability for their clients and their applications.
Social Networking Platforms
You must be using social media apps and platforms. But, did you ever think on which frameworks or programming languages they are built on? It is very intriguing, actually!
As these apps such as FB, Instagram, twitter (formerly known as X), along with other websites work around real-time content updates, they have become a classic use case for PHP. They demand high-performance backend systems capable of handling millions of user interactions simultaneously and that’s where PHP comes in. PHP’s ability to manage dynamic content and database-driven applications makes it a preferred choice for building social media platforms.
Also, here is a major did you know for you:
There are so many modern platforms and online communities that can be named when the question ‘why use PHP?’ comes up–and it’s all due to its efficiency in managing user data and interactions.
Backend Development
Now let’s talk about backend development, which is a major concern for development and customer experience.
With PHP, you stay worry-free as it can efficiently manage the server-side processes, data handling, API interactions, and the works.
Companies looking to develop secure and high-performing applications often hire remote programmers or backend developers to build RESTful APIs and web services.
That’s because PHP is known to integrate smoothly and effortlessly with most cloud services and third-party APIs, making it the best choice for businesses that need scalable backend solutions.
Why is PHP Still Popular in 2025?
We know you’re still thinking ‘why use PHP when these newer, better programming languages exist?’ and it’s a good argument.
If we think about it, there are newer programming languages being created every year so why use PHP? It’s like a staple to learn among programmers worldwide and for good reason. But despite more languages coming onto the scene over the years, PHP still remains one of the most widely used scripting languages because it’s just so easy to use—its flexibility, performance, and strong developer community are all key points that continue to make it one of the best programming languages to use today.
Here’s why:
Open-Source Programming Language
One of the major reasons PHP is used for web development even in today’s modern world is its open-source nature. You’ll see developers worldwide contributing to its growth, offering security updates, and enhancing its features—like this never-ending, big group project. This support network then provides people with access to vast documentation, tutorials, and community forums, making PHP an accessible and favorite choice for both beginners and experienced programmers.
PHP Frameworks
The PHP frameworks available online further tip the scales in PHP’s favor. Web Frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter all smoothen out the development process by offering different features like ready-made components, security features, and structured coding practices. These web frameworks speed up the development time by a whole lot and improve the application’s security, making PHP a preferred choice for businesses and developers alike.
Platform Independency
PHP also has platform independence, which is a big plus. How?
PHP can run on multiple operating systems, including major ones like Windows, Linux, and macOS, so it offers flexibility and compatibility for various hosting environments.
Growing Community
There are many reasons that PHP in 2025 is still in. Not only that, but another good answer to ‘why use PHP?’ is how it’s always providing updates, improving its overall built, and the support from its growing community whether you’re a beginner or an expert developer in town.
PHP and its community have introduced significant improvements to the language, like performance enhancements, improvements to the syntax, and also better security mechanisms.
To quote an example for better understanding: PHP 8 is a version that introduced just-in-time (JIT) compilation, named arguments, and improved error handling. All of this equals better efficiency and developer-friendliness.
These ongoing updates ensure that PHP keeps up with modern web development demands and remains competitive in the industry and in the years to come.
Bottom Line
With a general-purpose design, active community support, and a wide range of use cases, PHP continues to be the leading online programming language for businesses and developers. If you’re considering PHP for your next project, it’s a step in the right direction.
Start Your PHP Project with Devace Technologies
If you’re looking to hire developers from Devace Technologies within 48 hours. Our team of experts is ready to help you with your custom PHP project.
We specialize in building high-performance applications using PHP and the latest web frameworks to ensure your project meets industry standards and fits the vision you had in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PHP programming language good for?
PHP is the best for web development, backend processing, and creating dynamic web applications. It helps developers build dynamic pages, manage databases, and handle user interactions for real-time content updates.
What is PHP used for in web development?
Specifically in the world of web development, PHP is used for building websites, creating content management systems, maintaining e-commerce platforms, and developing backend services, to name a few. It’s a general-purpose language so the possibilities are endless! It also allows developers to interact with the databases, manage user authentications, and generate dynamic, real-time content efficiently.
Is PHP still relevant in 2025?
Yes, PHP is still a top choice in 2025 because of its ease of use, strong PHP frameworks, and the active developer community that’s always contributing to its improvement. Its continuous evolution ensures that it keeps up with modern web development standards, so in short, it’s definitely a language that is and will be relevant in the years to come.
What is PHP famous for?
PHP is well-known for powering WordPress and Slack, to name a few. It’s the best language for handling dynamic web content and integrating seamlessly with databases. It is widely used in content management systems, social networking sites, and e-commerce platforms, so big names like HubSpot, WooCommerce, Yahoo, Tumblr all use PHP as their default scripting language.
What is PHP commonly used for?
Besides building websites and applications, PHP is also commonly used for creating blogs, online stores and backend services. So, if it’s an interactive web application, you can bet that it’s most probably made with PHP.
What kind of applications can be built using PHP?
PHP can be used to develop e-commerce platforms, social networking sites, CMS-based websites, and enterprise applications. Its flexibility and scalability make it an excellent choice for a wide range of web solutions. So, PHP is used to develop the big three: e-commerce platforms like Shopify; social networking sites like Facebook; and CMS-based websites like HubSpot, to name just a few.
