Python vs PHP for Web Development Services: Which Is Better?

PHP and Python are the most popular languages which handle the server-side or more popularly known as the backend of a website. However, choosing between them is pretty hard as each comes with their own pros and cons. In this article, we have tried to draw a conclusion on which one you should choose. Most of the websites use PHP at their backend but the uses of python have skyrocketed in the past few years. 

You've come to the correct place if you're wondering whether Python programming is ideal for your project or if you should continue with PHP Web Development.

But, let's first compare the basics of the 2 languages to understand better about each of them.

PHP vs Python: The Basics

PHP is a scripting language, and most commonly used for web development. PHP is a multi-purpose programming language. The language's name originally stood for "Personal Home Page." It then became a recursive abbreviation for "PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor." PHP has developed to become one of the most popular web development technologies over the years, despite some criticism of its architecture. 

Python is a high-level programming language that may be used for a variety of purposes. Python has evolved into one of the most popular programming languages, with many big names in the computer world adopting it. Python has frameworks such as Django, Web2Py Flask etc. for web development services. Along with all these python is most used in data science and analytics. Furthermore, it has great libraries and is very versatile.

Python vs PHP: Comparison

In this section, we’ll compare Python and PHP and which will be best for your Web development services. We have classified various criterias to help you decide.

1. Speed to Market

Businesses in today's increasingly digitised environment are always seeking ways to accelerate their digital transformation journey. Time is the new money for businesses now. The faster you are the more successful your business will be.

You must create an MVP as quickly as feasible in order to attract funds for additional new product development. This is the key reason why you must select the appropriate language for your web application.

Python promises to be the most powerful and quickest programming language.

Python comes with a great variety of third-party libraries, modules, and packages to help you finish your projects faster. Django, for example, is one of the most well-known Python frameworks for web development. It makes use of the MVC (model-view-controller) design to enable developers to easily construct applications with a clear separation of concerns and high reusability.

PHP also has its own set of tools, such as libraries and frameworks. The most popular framework in the PHP camp is Laravel, which likewise uses the MVC architecture and comes pre-packaged with many important development tools such as authentication, routing, templating, and more.

So we have a tie for this criterion.

2. Security

Security Vulnerability is one component that goes hand in hand with the web building process. According to an OWASP Foundation survey, SQL injection, cross-site request forgery, cross-site scripting, and other vulnerabilities are among the most serious online application security issues.

As you proceed through the software development lifecycle, the cost and time required to resolve these vulnerabilities grow rapidly (SDLC).

According to the graph, it is 30x more expensive to eliminate vulnerabilities during the post-production phase than it is during the design, identification, and architectural stages.

Python is the most recommended choice for corporations in terms of security. For example, the Django framework has built-in security measures that aid in defending the application from many types of security risks.

Furthermore, according to Wikileaks, several government organisations, including the CIA, depend (heavily) on Python as a covert hacking tool. Aside from the CIA, Python is used as the backend language by a number of other US institutions that keep sensitive data, including the Department of Education, the Department of the Navy, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to mention a few.

PHP, on the other hand, has a dreadful track record when it comes to security. Despite the fact that most security vulnerabilities have been fixed thanks to strong community assistance, PHP falls short of Python in terms of security.

3. Performance

The speed of an application or website is an important component in determining its performance and smoothness. According to a Google research, 53 percent of mobile site visitors abandon a page that takes more than three seconds to load. In today's experience era, speed is important: it's critical to deliver software to production numerous times per day.

As previously said, Python is quick and powerful. Python's Just-In-Time compiler makes it speedier than its competition, PHP. One of the primary benefits of JIT is that once the files are built, they do not need to be recompiled.

On the other hand, PHP’s earlier versions, PHP 5.x, were much slower than Python. However, the release of PHP 7.x brought a turnaround, thereby improving the speed of applications significantly. With PHP 7, Zend Engine 3.0 was released, making PHP 7 two times faster than its predecessor.

4. Versatility

PHP's older versions, PHP 5.x, on the other hand, were significantly slower than Python. However, the advent of PHP 7.x resulted in a huge improvement in application performance. Zend Engine 3.0 was launched with PHP 7, making PHP 7 twice as fast as its predecessor.

Web applications are no longer limited to the creation of simple information portals or webpages. Rather, AI, like other developing technology, is becoming an integral component of the web. Advanced AI and machine learning algorithms are used by all firms with online portals that deliver services to their clients.

Michelangelo PyML is a python-based ML platform developed by Uber (an extension of the initial Michelangelo product). This platform allows people to make predictions both online and offline, allowing them to solve day-to-day problems. Models may be validated in PyML and then replicated in Michelangelo for maximum efficiency and scalability.

Python contains several libraries that are far stronger and more powerful than the ones offered by PHP. These libraries provide help in a variety of disciplines, including NLP (Natural Language Processing), image processing, and many more.

5. Scalability

When goods thrive, companies develop, and as the business grows, so does its user base. In this circumstance, any firm would make it a priority to have an application that can readily adapt to fast changing client and market expectations. As a result, it is critical to select an app development technology that will aid your company's growth.

In terms of scalability, apps developed on the Python framework have strong AI and machine learning capabilities, resulting in great scalability and quick adaptation to changing trends.

You may construct scalable apps, for example, by utilising the Django framework, which consists of a succession of wired-up and ready-to-go components that are separated (implies independent from each other). As a result, these components may be disconnected and changed as the business's needs change.

Instagram, for example, has the world's largest Django web framework deployment. The social networking site chose Python over PHP due to the former's reputation for simplicity and usefulness.

Even as Instagram has more than doubled in size and felt the need to maximise its web service efficiency, Django has not only helped preserve simplicity and pragmatism, but has also scaled to manage millions of users.

On the contrary, PHP is less receptive to changing needs and trends. Despite its continuous improvement, PHP falls behind Python programmes in scalability, losing the 'Python vs PHP: Scalability' duel.

Conclusion

Both PHP and Python web development offer advantages. While PHP has long been used for web programming, Python is quickly catching up. Python is a safe, versatile, and adaptable technology that is one of the finest solutions for machine learning and data analysis, providing organisations with a wide range of prospects.

Python is a safe, versatile, and adaptable technology that is one of the finest solutions for machine learning and data analysis, providing organisations with a wide range of prospects.

So, which programming language is better for application development: Python or PHP? It is entirely dependent on your company's and functional requirements.

Python is a good choice if you want to apply machine learning codes or need Unicode support. PHP, on the other hand, is the way to go for web development and server-side scripting tasks. Find out more about our software development services, including Python and PHP development.