Python vs PHP vs JavaScript: Which is the Best Programming Language for web app development?

Ved Raj
Predict
Published in
10 min readMay 20, 2021

Are you looking forward to developing a leading web or mobile app but confused in picking the best one among Python vs PHP vs JavaScript?

If yes, you have come to the right page as reading this blog; you will be able to pick the best and suitable technology for your upcoming or running business projects.

Developing a website or mobile app is not a bigger task, but choosing the right technologies for app development is quite challenging. If you opt to spend in an old, out-of-date programming language, you might put all your endeavors at peril. You may not be as successful as others who are adopting the updated and new versions.

Python, JavaScript, and PHP are the three leading programming languages, or you can say scripting languages in the globe. Let’s move further and start with knowing some essential things about Python, PHP, and JavaScript.

What is Python?

Image Source: DataFlair

Python is one of the best scripting languages, compatible with the Linux platform. Several industries made servers using it as it is so flexible. Guido van Rossum created Python. The creator worked on it between 1985 and 1990 years.

The source code to Python is accessible under the GNU General Public License (GPL) for use. This high-level programming language is general-purpose, object-oriented, and interactive. Using Python, you can work on back-end development, software development, data science, writing system scripts, etc. Sometimes you face issues while working with Python, so to overcome this sort of hurdle, you can hire Python developers.

-Python with 37.5K GitHub stars and 18.6K GitHub forks

-Uber, Netflix, Google, and 7250 more corporations reportedly utilize Python in their tech stacks.

Image Source: StackShare

Benefits of using Python

  • Easy to write, read and learn
  • Enhanced Productivity
  • Interpreted Language
  • Dynamically Typed
  • Free and open-Source
  • Limitless libraries Support
  • Portability

Disadvantages of using Python

  • Slow speed
  • Runtime error
  • Higher memory consumption
  • Limited data access

What is PHP?

Image Source: Javatpoint

PHP is the short form of Hypertext Preprocessor and is earlier known as Personal Home Page. In 1994, Danish-Canadian programmer Rasmus Lerdorf originally created PHP. This server-side language is also the strength of backend processing.

It is such an ideal platform for creating interactive and dynamic web pages. PHP is widely used and free, which includes C-like syntax. It is easy to execute on MySQL server and Apache. If you are not from a technical background, then I recommend hiring PHP developers to make adequate use of it.

-PHP with 30.5K GitHub stars and 6.6K GitHub forks

-Facebook, Slack, Lyft, and 44230 companies reportedly use PHP in their tech stacks.

Image Source: StackShare

Benefits of using PHP

  • Speed up custom web app development
  • Writing additional codes is not required.
  • Work efficiently with databases
  • Offers top-level security
  • Perform unit testing

Disadvantages of using PHP

  • Not suitable for large content-based web apps
  • Including PHP framework and tool features leads to poor performance of the web app.
  • PHP does not allow the modification in the core behavior of the web apps.

What is JavaScript?

Image Source: Coders Daddy

JavaScript is one of the most popular scripting languages for web pages. It is mainly used for developing network-centric apps. This is one of the best open, cross-platform compatible and is simple to integrate as it can be united with HTML.

Well, there are several popular browsers like Safari, Chrome, Mozilla Firefox in which JS is already installed. This means using JS; you do not require any special setup. If, while using Javascript, you are facing any issue or unable to debug the issue, then simply hire Javascript developers.

Airbnb, Instagram, Slack, and 12328 companies reportedly use JavaScript in their tech stacks.

Image Source: StackShare

Benefits of using JavaScript

  • High Speed
  • Extended functionality
  • Reduced server load
  • Rich interfaces

Disadvantages of using JavaScript

  • Code is always visible
  • Incompatibility with few older browsers

You might be thinking — why have I mentioned Javascript, Python, and PHP about details here? In order to help you know the crucial factors and stats related to these three technologies, here I have stated about JavaScript vs Python vs PHP.

If you want to make efficient use of these three technologies in app development, I will recommend you hire Python coders, JavaScript developers, and PHP experts. Now, let’s move further and talk about some essential factors related to JavaScript, Python, and PHP; this will help you pick the best technology for app development.

Python vs PHP vs Javascript: Choose The Right Tech For Your Next Project

Here I have talked about various factors that will help you choose the best programming language for mobile and web app development.

Image Source: Hackernoon

Performance and Speed

PHP older versions are a little bit slow in comparison with PHP 7 as it is three times faster than PHP 5. PHP is a synchronized platform, so it cannot work in the second line until you fix the error of the first line. This thing makes PHP slower than JavaScript.

JavaScript performs programs on the client-side, so the performance of the app will rely on the client. Moreover, if you incorporate a tough code on an iPad, it will not work so seamlessly as on the gaming machine. Using JS language can constantly help in improving the performance by using a constant server connection, callback functions, and a V8 engine.

If I talk about Python, then it is slower than the other two programming languages PHP and JavaScript. It is slower because it does not include multi-threading inclination like Node.JS.

Final Statement: So if I talk about performance and speed sort of thing, then JavaScript is better for app development than PHP and Python.

PHP vs Python vs JavaScript Points: PHP — 0 | Python — 0 | JavaScript — 1

Community Support

Python is new technology if I relate it with PHP and JavaScript, but then too, it is very popular and continuously recommended by developers for Python app development and Python web development. This ultimately means that there is tremendous community support for Python.

We know that JavaScript is an open-source programming language. Still, it has a lot of followers on GitHub with around 20% of pull requests. This technology is famous because it is usable everywhere, can help build appealing front-end and clear back-end.

PHP is also an open-source technology with a good reputation in the market for quite a long time. Several mobile & web app developers prefer using PHP for developing leading mobile and web applications. This results in building huge community support for PHP.

Final Statement: Here, if I talk about community support, then all three technologies, whether it is PHP, Python, or Javascript, all have broad community support.

Javascript vs PHP vs Python Points: PHP — 1 | Python — 1 | JavaScript — 2

Universality

Python can be used for both front-end and back-end cross-platform development. It is one of the robust programming languages for web and desktop development and moreover is a part of various operating systems such as macOS and Linux. But if I talk about mobile app development, then it is not suitable for it.

JavaScript is one of the best full-stack development languages. Using it, you can develop a complete web or mobile application without adopting other technologies.

PHP is mainly used as a back-end development language. It is a part of the LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and Python/ Perl/PHP) stack. In order to make efficient use of this technology, you need to learn four syntax systems, which may waste your time, effort, and money. Even using PHI switching between languages can be challenging.

Final Statement: Talking about the final outcome considering the Universality factor, Javascript is preferred over Python and PHP. If I talk from a scoring point of view, Javascript score will increase by 1 point, and Python score will increase by 0.5 points.

Javascript vs PHP vs Python Points: PHP — 1 | Python — 1.5 | Javascript — 3

Expansibility

Python can be easily extended with different frameworks like Flask, web2py, Django, and others. It can help to work on web products and full-stack development projects. Additionally, you can also use features from the C/C++ programming language, utilizing an API accessible in the C source file.

JavaScript can be combined with XML, HTML, Ajax, and more and can be extended simply. Both Javascript and Python are good at app development, so if you want, you can hire a Python developer or Javascript developer to form the leading application.

Where; PHP can only be combined with HTML. Mainly PHP is used for creating content management systems like Drupal or WordPress. PHP can be only extended with LAMP stack technology and server solutions such as MySQL or PostgreSQL.

Final Statement: If I talk about the Extensibility factor, then Python wins the PHP vs Python vs Javascript race.

Python vs PHP vs Javascript Points: PHP — 1.5 | Python — 2.5 | Javascript — 3

Python vs Javascript vs PHP: Comparison Table

Here I have mentioned the Python vs Javascript vs PHP comparison table; seeing this, you will get an idea that in what terms technology is good.

In order to make efficient use of PHP, Python, or Javascript, hiring Python developers or PHP developers or Javascript developers will be the better option. This will support you make comprehensive use of programming language using its extraordinary features and functionalities.

PHP vs Javascript vs Python War Final Result: Which Programming Language Is Best?

If I talk about the best programing language considering the above factors, then Javascript is the best programming language as it earned 0.5 more points than Python and 1.5 more points than PHP.

But seeing the above few factors, we can’t make a final decision as there are so many other things that can influence the Javascript vs Python vs PHP war result so let’s talk about that also.

Worldwide, Python is one of the most popular programming languages and has mainly become popular in the last 5 years. According to GitHub and Google trends, Python remains the most popular programming language in 2020, surpassing Java and JavaScript in popularity.

Image Source: Statista

Whereas around 1.8 billion websites worldwide mean 95% of them use JavaScript. According to Github’s 2020 October Report, JavaScript is one of the most used programming languages.

As per the W3Techs’ data, PHP is employed by 78.9% of all websites. So about 8 out of every 10 websites that you mainly visit on the Internet are using PHP directly or indirectly.

Considering the additional pointers 1 extra pointer goes to Python, which means now the scoreboard says that; Javascript : 3 | Python: 3.5 | PHP: 1.5.

Seeing the final result, I can say that Javascript and Python are giving the neck-to-neck competition, whereas PHP is completely out of the race. So if you talk about my point of view, then I will recommend Python as a first priority and Javascript as a second priority as both the programming languages are having good quality features and functionalities that help businesses build top-notch web and mobile apps.

Ending Words

I hope this write-up helped you choose the best among Python vs PHP vs JavaScript. If yes, then please like, comment, and share the blog.

Well, in the end, I just want to tell you that no technologies are entirely reliable as all have some good and bad traits as we have. So, choosing the suitable and best programming language for app development totally relies on the project requirements.

If you want to make the correct use of Python, Javascript, and PHP in web or mobile app development, then I recommend hiring Python coders, Javascript coders, and PHP coders working with the best IT outsourcing company.

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Ved Raj
Predict

I am Tech Blogger with 10+ years of experience in Content Writing. Follow me for latest tech related blogs.