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In the world of custom PHP web development, Symfony and Laravel have been at the top of the list for several years. Streamlining processes and optimizing code are two areas where they can help web developers improve efficiency.
In terms of speedy web development, both frameworks are fantastic choices. They may help in the development of apps that fully match all business requirements while also being easily adaptable to future changes.
Laravel and Symfony offer a strong foundation and tools for building web applications. Their strengths are in the flexibility and the comprehensive features they provide for web development projects.
Developers prefer Laravel for its fast development, performance, and high speed. Whereas, Symfony is effortlessly suitable for developing complex and large-size web applications. We’ve done a complete analysis of the features of each framework’s capabilities, pros and cons, and more.
What is Laravel?
Taylor Otwell created Laravel in June 2011 as the alternative option of CodeIgniter. Laravel is a well-known open-source (free) PHP web framework under MIT license. Laravel framework is developed in qualified MVC (model-view-controller) framework and is built using the Symfony components.
Laravel has a modular packaging system as well as Composer, a PHP language dependency manager that is dedicated to Laravel. Also included a range of methods for accessing relational databases as well as capabilities that help database management and application deployment.
Laravel is a highly utilized PHP framework that is ideal for all types of enterprises. Expert PHP developers all across the world have praised Laravel for its consistent performance, rich features, and adaptability, among other reasons.
As previously stated, it develops using the MVC structure, which makes it significantly easier to start developing and ultimately managing web applications. Additionally, it comes with several useful built-in features, including authentication, sessions, routing, and mail, these are just a few names. When all of these positive characteristics and capabilities are combined, they result in Laravel being an incredibly valuable piece of the framework that all developers should be familiar with and easily able to use.
What is Symfony?
Symfony is a PHP framework and provider of reusable PHP components for web development. Symfony is created by Fabien Potencier in October 2005 under the MIT license. Symfony is open-source, that’s why Symfony may be customized to meet the unique demands of each programmer by implementing any required module on their own. That is exactly how it works.
Due to the scale and support of the Symfony community, each user has an equal number of alternatives. After all, if you can’t find what you’re looking for here, you can always integrate custom components into your framework.
To make the most of the PHP Framework Symfony, it can be structured using the MVC model. However, it is not a true MVC framework like Laravel. The primary concept behind the Symfony Framework is to eliminate the difficulties in coding and save time throughout the web development process. It is founded on the principle that users should be able to design software for their requirements.
Developers’ lives are made easier by the availability of freely available framework components and high-end configurations. To make use of PHP5, the Symfony Framework serves as the foundation of your application. It establishes the overall design and structure of your product. Also, it has 50 stand-alone components that are available for applications.
Let’s take a closer look at a detailed comparison of the two most popular PHP frameworks, Laravel and Symfony.
Laravel vs Symfony Comparison Table
Laravel and Symfony are both good for making websites but in different ways. We made a table to compare both frameworks, this way you can able to choose the best one for your website or web application development.
| Laravel | Symfony | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | June 2011 | October 2005 |
| License | MIT License | MIT License |
| Creator | Taylor Otwell | Fabien Potencier |
| Stable Release | 11 / March 2024 | Video and textual tutorials on Laracast, SitePoint, Treehouse, CodeBright, and GitHub Learning curve (low) |
| Written in | PHP | PHP |
| Speed and Performance | Approx 60 milliseconds | Approx 250 milliseconds |
| Server Requirements | PHP >= 7.2.5 BCMath PHP Extension Ctype PHP Extension Fileinfo PHP extension JSON PHP Extension Mbstring PHP Extension OpenSSL PHP Extension PDO PHP Extension Tokenizer PHP Extension XML PHP Extension | PHP >= 8.1 JSON Extension ctype Extension Your php.ini needs to have the date. timezone setting |
| Modularity & Scalability | High performance Faster development with minimal coding Advanced scalability options Easily extensible Easy data migration and data management | Slow performance for complex websites. Easy scalability options are available Easily extensible Optimal performance and adaptability |
| Modularity | Uses MVC-based apps with plenty of pre-built dependencies. This makes the framework slightly less flexible but is easier to use if you’re using MVC- apps. | Utilizes reusable components, which ensures more robust modularity. The code is well-organized. |
| Database Support | Employs ORM for data access through Eloquent. Laravel supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and SQLServer. | Uses ORM for data access through Doctrine. Symfony supports Drizzle, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, SAP Sybase SQL Anywhere, SQLite, SQLServer. |
| Database Migrations | Manual database migrations; but do not require defining fields. | Automatic data migrations; requires simple definitions for fields within the model. |
| Data Modeling | Requires strong knowledge of SQL. Eloquent usually ties your application to the DB schema design, which makes it less flexible in that regard. | Does not require strong SQL knowledge, however, you need to create a repository for each call. |
| GitHub Star Ratings | 76.4K Stars | 29.2K Stars |
| Number of Contributors | 647 | 2967 |
| Community | Large | Large Community of 600,000 developers from more than 120 countries |
| Popularity | Very Popular (1M+ websites built on Laravel) | Less Popular (33,000 websites built on Symfony) |
| Features | Support multi-user system ORM on Eloquent Low installation capacity HTML, templating on Blade Multilingual support REST API compatibility | Support multi-user system ORM on Doctrine Low installation capacity HTML, templating on Twig Multilingual support REST API compatibility (with FOSRestBundle) |
| Documentation, Learning Curve | Video and textual tutorials on Laracast, SitePoint, Treehouse, CodeBright, GitHub Learning curve (low) | Basic documentation on Symfony Community Learning curve (middle) |
Usage Statistics and Market Share
Laravel
- There are over 1.2 million websites built using the PHP Laravel framework.
- You can already see in the below pie chart that out of 100% of the industry that uses Laravel 5.38% is used by the IT industry, followed by Science & Education which consists of 3.22%, and then Art & Entertainment, and Law & Government which is 2.17% and 2.15% respectively and every other industry is counted in others.
- USA uses Laravel the most across the globe.
Symfony
- There are thousands of websites developed using Symfony.
- Already, you can see in the below pie chart that the Science & Education industry accounts for 9.04% of all industries that use Symfony, followed by the IT industry at 3.66%, Vehicles at 3.93%, and Health at 2.51%, with every other industry being counted in the “others” category as well.
- Symfony is most popular in the United States.
Speed and Performance
| Testing | Laravel(seconds) | Symfony(seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| Apache(10 requests, 1 user) | 6.50 | 15.35 |
| Apache(1,000 requests, 10 user) | 202.66 | 638.56 |
| NginX(10 requests, 1 user) | 202.66 | 7.53 |
| NginX(1,000 requests, 10 user) | 211.85 | 658.73 |
A fun fact is that Laravel uses parts of Symfony to work, and it gets even more interesting because Laravel can work faster compared to Symfony.
According to ThinkMobiles test results, websites built with Laravel are claimed to load in approximately 60 milliseconds, but websites built with Symfony are estimated to load in approximately 250 milliseconds.
The task at hand was as follows:
- Get 1,000 records from a database using the following formula: (each with a unique title, price, and stock).
- Place a total of 1,000 orders for all of them.
- Stock counts in the database should be updated.
- Obtain an estimate for the entire price of the purchase order.
So now let’s compare more, Laravel vs Symfony and see who wins here.
Server Requirements
Laravel requires:
- PHP >= 7.2.5
- BCMath PHP Extension
- Ctype PHP Extension
- Fileinfo PHP extension
- JSON PHP Extension
- Mbstring PHP Extension
- OpenSSL PHP Extension
- PDO PHP Extension
- Tokenizer PHP Extension
- XML PHP Extension
Symfony requires:
- PHP >= 8.1
- JSON Extension
- ctype Extension
- Your php.ini needs to have the date.timezone setting
Installation
Laravel
The quickest and most straightforward method of installing Laravel is through Composer, which requires first downloading Laravel:
composer global require “laravel/installer”
#Once installed, the laravel new command will create a fresh Laravel installation in the directory you specify.
laravel new blog
#Creating a new Laravel installation using this command in Composer:
composer create-project –prefer-dist laravel/laravel blog
Either of these will result in the creation of a new Laravel installation in a directory named blog. That is the simplest version.
Symfony
# Downloading Symfony installer
sudo curl -LsS https://symfony.com/installer -o /usr/local/bin/symfony
# Granting permissions to execute installer
sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/symfony
# Creating new Symfony project
symfony new symfony_project
# Launching built-in server
cd symfony_project/ && php bin/console server:start
Also, one more thing is that By default, both Laravel and Symfony use the same localhost port (8000), which means that they cannot run concurrently. Before launching the Laravel server, be sure to stop the Symfony server by running php bin/console server: stop.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding involves having a tool develop the basic code necessary to CRUD (create, read, update, and delete) data from your database automatically, effectively using the templates as a “scaffold” upon which to develop the application.
Although Laravel does not provide a scaffolding tool by default, several tools can be integrated with it, including Yeoman via the generator-Laravel package, InfyOm’s Laravel Generator, or the Scaffold generator for Laravel 5.x. If you’re not able to figure out how to use Scaffolding in Laravel then I suggest you should Hire an experienced Laravel developer or consult with the best Laravel development company, who can help you to get more understanding about Scaffolding.
Symfony comes with a pack called SensioGeneratorBundle that offers you all the commands you need for Scaffolding the bundles, forms, controller, and even CRUD-based backends. However, you are under no obligation to do so; if you prefer, you can use the generator-Symfony or generator-sf packages, which use Yeoman to develop a Symfony PHP application that includes Browsersync, a variety of CSS preprocessors, jspm, webpack, browserify, and Service Worker.
Template Engine
Laravel
Laravel makes use of Blade, a lightweight yet powerful template engine that is optimized for performance. Blade, in contrast to other PHP templating engines, allows you to utilize plain PHP code in your view.
All Blade views compiled into standard PHP code are cached indefinitely until they are modified. Because of these, the Blade templating engine has only a small impact on the overall performance of your application.
Symfony
Symfony makes use of Twig, which was developed by Fabien Potencier. When compared to PHP templates, Twig allows you to develop more compact, legible templates that are more web designer-friendly and powerful in a variety of ways.
You are also not confined to this. Twig may be used in Laravel using the TwigBridge project, which allows for seamless integration of Twig into Laravel 5.
Thus, when it comes to Symfony vs Laravel, the choice between Twig and Blade boils down to two points for many developers. For starters, you are easily able to use the standard PHP code in Blade. Some of the Laravel developers appreciate this since it simplifies development.
Furthermore, Blade has a number of features that Twig does not have. Unlike Blade, which permits code reuse and direct injection into the template, Twig does not allow for such functionality. Lumen is a sub-framework included with Laravel that facilitates the construction of microservices and APIs
Modularity and Scalability
The Symfony framework includes an extensive library of reusable components, which results in increased modularity. It elegantly organizes the code, allowing it to be used for larger, more sophisticated applications without difficulty. One of the reasons why professionals choose Symfony over Laravel is because of this.
Even though Laravel’s strength is in MVC-based applications, once you deviate from MVC principles. Laravel is unable to assist you. Because of its versatility and flexibility, Symfony wins the lead for this criteria.
Database Support and Migration
Both Symfony and Laravel make use of object-relational mapping, also known as ORM. When compared to Laravel, Symfony makes use of the Doctrine Object-relational mapping (ORM). The database support provided by Symfony outperforms that provided by Laravel. Laravel supports the databases: MySQL, SQLite, PostgreSQL, SQLServer, and many more. Whereas, Symfony does support the databases supported by Laravel and also supports other databases like Drizzle, Oracle, SAP Sybase, and SQL Anywhere.
Migrations of data from one database to another are automatic in Symfony, while they must be done manually in Laravel. Fields must be defined in order for Symfony’s automatic migrations to work properly. As a result of its automated nature, Symfony appears to have a distinct advantage in this area. To be sure, unlike the manual technique used by Symfony, Laravel’s manual approach is not unduly difficult because the fields do not require any specification.
Data Modelling
Laravel requires a more in-depth knowledge of SQL. With Symfony, this is not the case, despite the fact that each call needs the development of a repository function. Using a complex database structure extensively in your application will require the employment of a large number of repository functions in your application.
Eloquent, on the other hand, has a tendency to tie your application to the design of your database schema. It is possible that changing the name of a column will result in modifications throughout your codebase. Doctrine, and Symfony, make use of the mapper design in order to allow for the separation of your database schema from your business objects and business logic.
Pros and Cons of Laravel and Symfony
Pros of Laravel:
- Laravel framework’s primary characteristic is its simplicity of use. The user documentation is comprehensive and written in the simplest possible language. PHP screencasts make this easy to understand.
- It implements the MVC or Model View Controller pattern. It avoids any illogical architectural patterns in which all PHP and HTML code is contained in a single file.
- The blade template engine makes it simple to incorporate any type of logic into an HTML file. It has become incredibly simple to extend the functionality of programs without modifying the core.
- The Routing mechanism has become extremely simple to control and abstract. It has simplified all processes and the offered abstraction eliminates all levels of complexity. Additionally, the framework supports a reverse routing function.
- Queue management – Laravel provides an outstanding abstraction process for abstracting unneeded operations and queueing them behind the scenes, resulting in a significantly faster user response time.
- Ready to use CLI, LTS, and Cron jobs.
Cons of Laravel:
- Because Laravel is a lightweight framework, it comes with less built-in support than Django and Ruby on Rails. This issue can be resolved by integrating third-party applications, but the chores might become lengthy and complicated for large or customized websites.
- The development is slower than that of Ruby on Rails.
- It is quite slow and presents developers with a novel platform to work with.
- Amateur developers frequently encounter difficulties when extending codes and classes.
Pros of Symfony:
- Symfony bundles are libraries that are exceptionally easy to install and utilize.
- You can learn it quickly if you’re already comfortable with PHP, and because the community is large, you can easily find experts to help you with any problems that you may be having with the language.
- Its community and key developers are always working on new components and features to keep it up to date with the latest technology.
- As a PHP framework, Symfony includes all of the features that a PHP framework should have; as a result, it may effectively act as a one-stop shop for the lower-level components required for developing a PHP application.
- Symfony enables network debugging, has a sizable community, and plug-in packages.
Cons of Symfony:
- When optimizing for high traffic, the default database ORM concept is not clearly defined and has a steep learning curve.
- It is reliant on other technologies, which implies that certain applications may run more slowly than others because there are no origin elements.
- Due to the requirement to pre-build code for numerous purposes, it necessitates additional testing time, resulting in a slower development process.
Popularity, Learning Curve, and Documentation
If you’re solely looking for the best PHP framework based on its popularity, you’re making an error. But there are certainly benefits to using a framework with a large user base. It should come as no surprise that Laravel is a well-known framework for PHP development. Symfony, on the other hand, is the preferred framework for more complex and extensive web applications.
Laravel has a plethora of training, tutorials, and support information available online because of its popularity. Among other things, Laravel provides training and knowledge via the Laracasts discussion forum, Codebright, Treehouse, and Sitepoint. However, there isn’t much information available about Symfony right now. Symfony’s documentation is fantastic but it is complex so you need to hire a Symfony developer or a Symfony web development company.
According to Google Trends, Laravel has been the most widely used PHP framework during the past 12 months. Symfony is the runner-up in this category. While this is true, it does not imply that Laravel is the ideal choice for your specific project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both Laravel and Symfony offer a rich feature set. Both frameworks are ideal for a wide range of web development projects. The functionalities of both PHP Laravel and PHP Symfony make them capable of developing innovative and powerful applications.
If you’re looking for rapid development, performance, and speed, then you should reach out to one of the professional Laravel development companies. If you’re planning to build complex, large-scale web applications, then you should go with Symfony development services. You must choose a framework that fits your web project well. Just make sure you choose the right framework that is suitable for your web apps.PHP frameworks are one of the best frameworks for web development due to their scalability, development speed, code reusability and organization, and several other reasons. Two of PHP’s most popular frameworks are Laravel and Symfony.
Both Laravel and Symfony are caching views. Symfony is also caching source code. Traditionally, Laravel’s performance has been significantly better, but with the updated Symfony 4+, its performance has also improved and is at par with Laravel. However, websites built on Laravel also have a much faster loading time than those built on Symfony.
When it comes to scalability, Symfony has a better edge.PHP supports microservices architecture, and it is evident that Laravel and Symfony support microservices architecture as well. How do they do it?
Laravel is broken down modularly into small building blocks, each with its function and responsibility. Symfony supports microservices through the Microkernel attribute. It helps the framework load the application with fewer lines of code, making the deployment faster.
Laravel’s functions communicate with each other using language-agnostic APIs, and as a result, the app becomes compatible with the microservices architecture. The kernel in Symfony helps to create service containers that have individual functions. So, each time a user interacts with the app, these services execute functions according to the application logic.
For the past few months, the need to use Laravel with microservices architecture was so intense that a developer came up with a framework – Lumen. It serves a similar purpose and is a leaner, smaller, and lighter version of Laravel. Amongst other advantages, this change means the overhead of running an individual application is much smaller, making Symfony more attractive for use in a microservice architecture.
Besides Laravel and Symfony, there are several other PHP frameworks including Codeigniter, Zend Framework, Phalcon, FuelPHP, CakePHP, Yii, PHpixie, and Slim.
Got More Questions Related to Laravel or Symfony PHP Framework? Contact us for more details.
The first and the most important thing to know about Laravel is that this framework is developed on Symfony components. Laravel also uses Symfony as its frame; however, supplements it with its logic and vision to write software using PHP language.
Laravel use some Symfony components - but not all. It has many of its own components (such as Eloquent, Blade, Cashier, etc), and other 3rd party components. Or to think of it in another way - whilst there is an overlap in components - the way those components are "glued" together sets them apart.
Who will Win? Laravel vs Symfony
As previously said, both Laravel and Symfony are frameworks with a large number of features. Both can be used for a wide variety of web development projects, and they are both free.
Laravel is a very popular choice because of its speed and performance. With Symfony, you can quickly and easily build complex, large-scale online applications. But, if you ask me and my personal opinion I would prefer to choose Laravel because it is very flexible and widely used among all top-tier companies.
To put it another way, select the option that is most suitable for your project. When it comes to developing web apps, make sure to choose the best PHP framework with which you are most comfortable. If you’re still confused about making the selection between Laravel vs Symfony then Contact our expert developers, they will help you to provide the best web development solutions.
