Core PHP Vs. Laravel: Which Will Be the Best Choice For Business Web App Development?

Core PHP vs. Laravel- Which will be the best tech stack option for your business web app development?

Emma Cuthbert
Nerd For Tech
11 min readDec 8, 2023

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Image Source: Google

Would you prefer to choose Laravel, an open-source PHP web framework that follows an MVC structure pattern and provides tools and features to create a robust and scalable web app, or like to stay back with the original version and basic version of the PHP programming language — Core PHP?

According to statistics, the PHP programming language powers 45% of all internet websites whereas Laravel is capturing approximately 39% of the market share in web app development.

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On the other hand, Core PHP is the basic version of PHP programming language whereas Laravel provides more flexibility to build scalable web applications that fit your business needs.

So what would you decide?

Do you prefer to go with the stats or pick the facts?

The decision is really hard! But keep in mind, that choosing the best framework to develop the eye-catching frontend of the app is important, in the same way selecting the right backend framework is crucial too. The right choice of backend framework will make your app work flawlessly like a well-oiled machine.

Both Laravel and Core PHP are the two popular options for building web apps, Laravel is written in PHP, and Core PHP is nothing but the basic fundamental version of PHP itself.

Well, there is no definite answer to the question of whether choosing Laravel or Core PHP is the best decision.

When you kickstart any new web app development project and hire a mobile app developer in India, there are multiple strategies to be made before you start coding. Some may prefer to stay with particular frameworks whereas others like to create an app from scratch. So when it comes to Core PHP Vs. Laravel, both are best used to develop web apps and provide robust and quality features.

However, all you need to understand what tech stack will best fit under which circumstances. For that here we have a detailed comparison between Core PHP Vs Laravel.

Let’s get started with the basics…

Core PHP Vs Laravel: Comparing the Overview

Core PHP is the base language for creating dynamic web pages, while Laravel is an extensible PHP web framework for building scalable websites and applications. However, the experience of developing a web app will be different on both platforms. Let’s delve into our insights on Core PHP vs. Laravel.

What Is Core PHP: An Overview

Core PHP is a foundational programming language known for creating attractive and efficient websites and web applications. It operates without relying on external components or libraries, resulting in cost-effective and timely development.

1. Market Stats and Facts of Core PHP

2. Strengths and Weaknesses of PHP

Let’s quickly check out the pros and cons of Core PHP before you hire a PHP developer in India:

3. Use Cases of Core PHP

Before you look out for the experts to get started with the web development process, let’s uncover what exactly you can build using Core PHP.

  • Dynamic Web Pages: Developing dynamic and interactive web pages.
  • Form Handling: When processing forms and user inputs on websites are required.
  • User Authentication: Implementing login and authentication systems.
  • Content Management Systems: Building basic content management functionalities.
  • E-commerce Websites: Developing essential e-commerce web apps with specific features and functionalities.
  • Web Services: Creating web services and APIs for integration.
  • Creating Custom Applications: Developing specific applications tailored to the unique requirements of businesses.
  • Prototype Development: Rapidly building prototypes for testing and validation.

That’s not all! To make a precise decision, you need to validate whether it’s worth to put your trust in the programming language. To make it verify, let’s check out the major applications built on Core PHP…

4. Popular Applications Using Core PHP

There are a wide range of applications using Core PHP, but some of the leading tech giants that put their trust in Core PHP are:

  • WordPress,
  • Facebook,
  • Etsy,
  • Slack,
  • Wikipedia,
  • Flickr

So these are the few major highlights of Core PHP that make it a lucrative option for developing web apps. But before you get excited and quickly get started with Core PHP, let’s dig deep into the details of Laravel.

What Is Laravel: An Overview

Laravel is an open-source PHP framework widely adopted to accelerate and enrich the web application development process. As it is a fully structured programming language and follows the MVC pattern, it can simplify complex tasks like routing, security, and database operations. Its extensive toolset, diverse database compatibility, and strong community support make Laravel an excellent choice for scalable web development.

1. Market Stats and Facts of Laravel

Here are a few important statistics related to Laravel and its usage:

Knowing these figures, it is clear that Laravel is a strong component of Core PHP. But before making any final decisions let’s evaluate the pros and cons of Laravel.

2. Strengths and Weaknesses of Laravel

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Laravel which helps in making the right decision further for web app development:

3. Use Cases of Laravel

If you are confused about where exactly Laravel can be used and what type of application you can develop using Laravel, then read below:

  • Web Application Development: Building scalable and feature-rich web applications.
  • E-commerce Platforms: Creating robust and secure e-commerce websites.
  • Content Management Systems (CMS): Developing customizable and efficient CMS solutions.
  • Enterprise Software: Building secure and large-scale enterprise-level applications.
  • Social Networking Apps: Constructing engaging and interactive social networking platforms.
  • Trading Platforms: Developing stock trading-based web management systems.
  • API Development: Creating robust APIs for integration with other services and applications.
  • Real-Time Apps: Developing on-demand real-time applications like chat applications and dashboards.
  • Payment Gateways: Integrating secure payment processing systems into applications.
  • Educational Portals: Creating interactive and intuitive e-learning web apps.

Before you are thrilled enough to know its use cases and get straight to hiring a Laravel developer in India, let’s understand what popular apps are using Laravel as a backend programming language.

4. Popular Applications Using Laravel

Laravel is quite popular in various countries like the US, India, and UK. But who is putting trust in this programming language, let’s check it out:

  • Asgard CMS,
  • Barchart,
  • Laracasts,
  • World Walking

So now you must have a fair idea about both tech stacks Core PHP and Laravel. Now before you compare them on various important parameters, let’s evaluate their similarities.

Core PHP Vs Laravel: Understanding the Similarities

There are several differences between Core PHP and Laravel which makes them good options for web app development. So by hiring a full-stack developer in India, you can harness the power of both PHP and Laravel. So above all, let’s take a sneak peek at the similarities between Core PHP and Laravel:

  • PHP Foundation

Whether we’re talking about Laravel or Core PHP, it’s important to know they’re both built using PHP as their foundation. This means they inherit PHP’s functionalities and follow its syntax.

MVC Architecture

Both of these frameworks adhere to the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architectural pattern. This approach helps in organizing the code neatly by separating different concerns, making the development process easier and hassle-free.

  • Server-Side Rendering

Both Laravel and Core PHP allow for server-side rendering. Essentially, when a user requests a page, the web server processes that request and creates the HTML response, which is then sent back to the user’s browser.

  • Database Support

When it comes to databases, both Laravel and Core PHP are quite versatile. They support a range of databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and more. Moreover, they provide tools like data abstraction layers and query builders, simplifying interactions with databases.

  • Templating

Both frameworks offer a templating system. In the case of Core PHP, it utilizes PHP’s inbuilt templating engine. On the other hand, Laravel employs the Blade templating engine, which not only separates the presentation layer and the business logic but also brings additional features like template inheritance and control structures.

With these similarities, it is clear that both languages are powerful. But when it comes to choosing the best programming language for web app development, the selection of the tech stack will be made on a few major parameters. So let’s compare Core PHP Vs. Laravel on various parameters in detail.

Core PHP Vs Laravel: Comparison in Detail

Core PHP vs. Laravel, which one will be the best choice for web app development? When comparing these two backend development tech stacks, you will get an in-depth analysis of each technology and be able to make a precise decision between Core PHP vs Laravel.

Let’s get started with a detailed comparison of Core PHP vs. Laravel:

1. Laravel vs. Core PHP: Who Ensures Better Performance?

App’s performance is one such parameter that no business can afford to compromise. No matter which software development company you pick to hire mobile app developers in India, the ultimate success of any app is depending upon the choice of tech stack.

Now the question is how will you evaluate whether Core PHP ensures better performance or Laravel?

Well, the simple way is to consider the “request handling attribute of the programming language”.

As per the tests conducted by various open-source communities, it is observed that Core PHP has an edge over Laravel. PHP has a score of processing 35,560 instructions regularly while Laravel is far behind it.

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2. Core PHP Vs Laravel: Who Provides Better Architectural Support?

Laravel employs the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, allowing efficient collaboration between front-end and back-end developers. This structure offers enhanced control over the application, enabling customization of routes and boosting SEO. Moreover, integrating external APIs and reusing application logic is seamless with Laravel’s MVC design.

In PHP, various frameworks like Ubiquity, Zend, Laravel, Codeigniter, and CakePHP offer MVC architectures. By hiring Indian app developers you can effectively use these frameworks but they separate business logic from the representation layer.

So overall, Laravel has the winning point when it comes to choosing the best tech stack with architectural support.

3. Core PHP Vs Laravel: Better Security

Ensuring robust data security is a priority for any organization to avoid potential losses resulting from data breaches. Laravel, with its solid foundation, offers enhanced data integrity and confidentiality, making it a more secure choice compared to Core PHP.

In Core PHP applications, security against cyber threats and unauthorized access requires developers to integrate third-party APIs and establish custom protocols.

On the other hand, Laravel comes equipped with built-in security measures to mitigate SQL injection and cross-site request forgery attacks. Additionally, it implements access control and authentication systems by default, verifying user identities and allowing legitimate users access to resources.

4. Core PHP Vs Laravel: Database Compatibility

Databases are fundamental for efficient applications, organizing, and processing data per user requests. That’s where Core PHP is considered as a highly versatile, easily linking to various databases like DB2, MySQL, Oracle, MongoDB, and more. It ensures smooth switching between databases with its incorporated modules and functions.

By leveraging its features like API reusability, prepared statement support, and OOPS-based syntax, migrating user data becomes simple, ensuring a consistent relationship between the application and the database for smooth data transactions.

On the other hand, Laravel supports popular databases like SQL, SQLite, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. Laravel enables seamless communication between the application and these databases.

5. Core PHP Vs Laravel: Security

Core PHP and Laravel both prioritize data security, a crucial aspect for any organization. Let’s break down their approaches:

In Core PHP, ensuring data security and protecting against cyber threats requires developers to integrate third-party APIs and define security protocols. While it offers flexibility, the responsibility for security largely falls on the developers.

On the other hand, Laravel is designed with security in mind. It comes with built-in features to mitigate common threats like SQL injection and cross-site request forgery. Additionally, it offers default access control and authentication systems, which automatically verify user identities and grant access only to legitimate users.

In a nutshell, Laravel provides a more structured and comprehensive approach to security, while Core PHP offers flexibility but requires additional effort from developers to ensure robust security measures.

Core PHP vs. Laravel: What To Choose When?

With the above-detailed comparison, it is clear that both technologies are empowering web app development. But which tech stack is best suited for what type of project?

Before you hire software developers in India, you need to evaluate which language is more appropriate to your project’s needs. So here is a conclusion for you to refer to:

  • If you need a quick, lightweight solution with more control and expertise in PHP, Core PHP is a suitable choice for smaller projects.
  • For larger, complex projects, or if you prioritize security, organized development, and a vast ecosystem, Laravel emerges as a strong contender with its pre-built features and robust security.

Ultimately, the choice between Core PHP and Laravel depends on the project’s scale, complexity, development speed, and your team’s expertise.

Conclusion: Core PHP Vs Laravel: Who Will Be The Winner?

Well, with this blog guide, we have practiced putting fair facts about each technology to help you make wise decisions for your next web app development project without getting biased. It is fair enough to say that both Core PHP and Laravel are the ultimate choices for web app development. But you can choose to hire an app developers in India to understand what language better suits your app requirements. The ultimate choice will greatly vary on the needs of your app development and team’s expertise.

So if you have any query regarding what type of projects you can develop with Core PHP or Laravel, or want to migrate your existing app from PHP to Laravel, or just want to know the estimation then you can drop a query below or contact us for more details.

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Emma Cuthbert
Nerd For Tech

Sr. Business Analyst — www.appsdevpro.com/ | Senior Tech Writer | Sr. IT Consultant. 11+ Years of Exp.