PHP frameworks come and go, but finding the right framework for your project needs can be challenging. While Laravel has dominated the PHP landscape with its elegant syntax and rich feature set, many developers are exploring Laravel alternatives for various reasons.
Maybe you need something lighter for microservices, or perhaps you’re looking for better performance in high-traffic applications. From Symfony framework with its powerful components to CodeIgniter with its minimal learning curve, the PHP ecosystem offers diverse options.
This guide explores practical backend frameworks that provide similar functionality to Laravel’s Blade templating, Eloquent ORM, and Artisan command tooling. We’ll examine frameworks that support modern development practices like Docker containers and RESTful APIs while maintaining strong community support.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand which web development frameworks best fit different project requirements and how to evaluate them for your next web app.
Laravel Alternatives: A Developer’s Guide
Django
What Is Django?
Django is a high-level Python web framework that promotes rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. Unlike Laravel’s PHP foundation, Django leverages Python’s versatility to deliver a “batteries-included” approach to web application development, providing a comprehensive set of tools and patterns for building robust web solutions.
Key Features
- Python-based MVC architecture that differs from Laravel’s PHP implementation while maintaining similar structural concepts
- Admin interface automatically generated from your models—something Laravel doesn’t offer out of the box
- ORM system comparable to Eloquent but with Python’s syntax advantages
- Built-in authentication and security features that rival Laravel’s guards system
- Robust template engine similar to Blade but with Python’s templating philosophy
Pros Over Laravel
- Performance optimization for data-heavy applications and scientific computing thanks to Python’s ecosystem
- Machine learning integration capabilities that PHP frameworks typically lack
- Extensive documentation and mature community support similar to Laravel
- Better suited for data analysis projects where Python excels
- Cross-platform development capabilities that extend beyond typical web applications
Limitations
- Steeper learning curve for developers without Python experience
- Less flexible routing compared to Laravel’s expressive route definitions
- Monolithic architecture that can feel restrictive compared to Laravel’s modular approach
- Slower development speed for simple CRUD applications where Laravel shines
Who Uses It
Instagram, Pinterest, Mozilla, and National Geographic rely on Django for its scalability and security features. It’s particularly popular in industries requiring data analysis, scientific applications, and content management systems where backend performance is critical.
Rails
What Is Rails?
Ruby on Rails is a server-side web application framework written in Ruby that follows the model-view-controller (MVC) pattern. Compared to Laravel, Rails takes convention over configuration to an extreme, with an opinionated approach that prioritizes developer productivity and rapid application development.
Key Features
- Ruby language provides elegant syntax that many developers find more expressive than PHP
- Convention over configuration philosophy more rigid than Laravel’s flexible approach
- Active Record ORM conceptually similar to Eloquent but with different syntax patterns
- Testing environment built-in from the start, more integrated than Laravel’s PHPUnit setup
- Action Cable for WebSockets, offering real-time features that Laravel implements through separate packages
Pros Over Laravel
- Faster prototyping capabilities for startups and MVPs
- More consistent code across projects due to strict conventions
- Mature ecosystem with gems (packages) for almost anything
- Better support for API development out of the box
- Community emphasis on testing and code quality
Limitations
- Performance concerns at scale compared to PHP frameworks
- Less flexibility for developers who prefer to structure applications their way
- Steeper learning curve for the Ruby language if coming from PHP
- Deployment complexity compared to Laravel’s simpler PHP hosting requirements
- Fewer hosting options than PHP-based frameworks
Who Uses It
Airbnb, GitHub, Shopify, and Twitch have built their platforms using Rails. It’s especially popular among startups and businesses focused on rapid development where time-to-market is crucial and the template engine efficiency matters more than raw performance.
ASP.NET
What Is ASP.NET?
ASP.NET is Microsoft’s web development framework for building modern web applications and services. Unlike Laravel’s open-source PHP foundation, ASP.NET uses C# and the .NET ecosystem to provide enterprise-grade solutions with strong typing and compilation advantages.
Key Features
- Strongly-typed C# language offers compile-time checking unlike PHP’s runtime checks
- Visual Studio integration provides developer tools Laravel can’t match
- Entity Framework as an alternative to Eloquent with LINQ query capabilities
- Windows authentication integration for enterprise environments
- Razor view engine comparable to Blade but with C# instead of PHP
Pros Over Laravel
- Superior performance particularly for compute-intensive applications
- Enterprise support from Microsoft with service-level agreements
- Better typing system reducing runtime errors
- More robust for large teams with stronger encapsulation
- Seamless Azure integration for deployment and services
Limitations
- Windows-centric ecosystem though cross-platform options have improved
- Higher licensing costs compared to Laravel’s free open-source model
- Steeper learning curve for C# and .NET concepts
- Less appealing for startups due to perceived complexity and costs
- Slower development cycle for simple applications
Who Uses It
Stack Overflow, Microsoft sites, GoDaddy, and many enterprise-level applications rely on ASP.NET. It’s commonly found in financial services, healthcare, and government sectors where security features, cross-platform development requirements, and long-term support are critical considerations.
Spring Boot
What Is Spring Boot?
Spring Boot is an open-source Java-based framework used to create microservice-ready applications with minimal configuration. Compared to Laravel, Spring Boot provides Java’s enterprise capabilities with convention-over-configuration principles aimed at reducing boilerplate code.
Key Features
- Java or Kotlin based offering strong typing and JVM performance advantages
- Dependency injection built into core architecture unlike Laravel’s service container
- Extensive enterprise integrations for various data sources and services
- Production-ready monitoring and health checks out of the box
- Microservices-oriented from the ground up, more so than Laravel
Pros Over Laravel
- Superior concurrency handling for high-traffic applications
- Better suited for microservices architecture
- More mature for enterprise environments with decades of patterns
- Stronger type safety reducing potential bugs
- Excellent database migrations tools comparable to Laravel’s migrations
Limitations
- Verbose Java syntax compared to PHP’s accessibility
- Steeper learning curve especially for developers without Java background
- More resource-intensive than Laravel for simple applications
- Slower development speed for basic CRUD operations
- More complex deployment requirements
Who Uses It
Netflix, Amazon, Google, and many financial institutions use Spring Boot for mission-critical applications. It’s particularly common in enterprise environments, financial services, and large-scale applications where backend performance, scalability, and MVC architecture robustness are non-negotiable requirements.
NestJS
What Is NestJS?
NestJS is a progressive Node.js framework for building efficient, reliable, and scalable server-side applications. Similar to Laravel’s structure but built on TypeScript and Express.js, NestJS brings Angular-inspired architecture to backend development.
Key Features
- TypeScript-first development with strong typing unlike Laravel’s PHP
- Modular architecture similar to Laravel but with dependency injection at its core
- Express.js foundation with optional Fastify adapter for performance
- Decorators for clean code organization unlike Laravel’s more traditional approach
- WebSockets and Microservices support built into framework architecture
Pros Over Laravel
- JavaScript/TypeScript ecosystem access (npm) is larger than PHP’s Composer
- Better typing system with TypeScript reducing bugs
- Easier frontend integration with Angular, React or Vue
- Isomorphic code possibilities between frontend and backend
- Modern async/await patterns for handling asynchronous operations
Limitations
- Younger ecosystem compared to Laravel’s mature community
- Steeper learning curve for developers new to TypeScript
- Less documentation and resources compared to Laravel
- Fewer hosting options specialized for Node.js applications
- Database ORM options less mature than Laravel’s Eloquent
Who Uses It
Adidas, Autodesk, and various startups use NestJS for their backend services. It’s gaining popularity in companies with TypeScript frontend teams, microservices architectures, and those looking for consistent development patterns between frontend and backend with emphasis on code maintainability.
AdonisJS
What Is AdonisJS?
AdonisJS is a Node.js web framework with a focus on developer ergonomics and speed. Directly inspired by Laravel, it brings many of Laravel’s beloved features to the Node.js ecosystem while maintaining the JavaScript runtime advantages.
Key Features
- Laravel-inspired syntax but with JavaScript/TypeScript instead of PHP
- Built-in authentication system similar to Laravel’s
- Lucid architecture comparable to Laravel’s service providers
- Template engine (Edge) inspired by Blade’s simplicity
- ORM (Lucid) that feels familiar to Eloquent users
Pros Over Laravel
- JavaScript ecosystem benefits while keeping Laravel’s elegant syntax
- Better asynchronous handling with Node.js event loop
- Familiar territory for Laravel developers moving to JavaScript
- TypeScript support for type safety not available in PHP
- Potentially better performance for I/O-bound applications
Limitations
- Smaller community than Laravel’s massive ecosystem
- Fewer plugins and packages available compared to Laravel
- Less mature with fewer production-tested patterns
- Documentation gaps in some advanced areas
- Fewer deployment options than Laravel’s ubiquitous PHP hosting
Who Uses It
Various startups and mid-sized companies use AdonisJS, though it hasn’t reached the adoption level of Laravel or Express yet. It’s particularly popular among Laravel developers transitioning to Node.js and companies seeking rapid application development in JavaScript with familiar patterns.
Phoenix
What Is Phoenix?
Phoenix is a web development framework written in Elixir that runs on the Erlang VM. Unlike Laravel’s PHP foundation, Phoenix leverages Elixir’s functional programming paradigm and Erlang’s concurrency model to deliver exceptional performance and fault tolerance for real-time applications.
Key Features
- Functional programming approach differs from Laravel’s object-oriented design
- LiveView for real-time UI without JavaScript (ahead of Laravel’s Livewire)
- Extraordinary concurrency capabilities through BEAM virtual machine
- Built-in WebSockets support more integrated than Laravel Echo
- Channel-based communication model for real-time features
Pros Over Laravel
- Unmatched performance for concurrent connections and real-time features
- Better fault tolerance with “let it crash” philosophy and supervision
- More efficient resource usage handling millions of connections
- Built for distributed systems from the ground up
- Functional programming benefits including immutability and pattern matching
Limitations
- Steep learning curve for Elixir and functional programming concepts
- Smaller ecosystem of packages compared to Laravel
- Fewer developers familiar with Elixir in the job market
- Different programming paradigm requiring mental shift from OOP
- Less conventional deployment compared to PHP applications
Who Uses It
Discord, Pinterest, and Bleacher Report use Phoenix for handling massive concurrent loads. It’s especially valuable for applications requiring real-time features, chat platforms, gaming servers, and high-concurrency situations where PHP frameworks traditionally struggle.
FastAPI
What Is FastAPI?
FastAPI is a modern, fast web framework for building APIs with Python based on standard type hints. Unlike Laravel’s full-stack approach, FastAPI focuses exclusively on high-performance API development with automatic documentation.
Key Features
- Python 3.6+ with type hints unlike Laravel’s PHP typing system
- Automatic OpenAPI documentation generation surpassing Laravel’s API docs
- Pydantic data validation more integrated than Laravel’s form requests
- Asynchronous support built-in, unlike Laravel’s primarily synchronous model
- Incredibly fast performance thanks to Starlette and Pydantic
Pros Over Laravel
- Much faster execution for API-focused applications
- Automatic interactive documentation without additional packages
- Type safety through Python’s type hints system
- Better suited for data science integrations with Python ecosystem
- Lower memory footprint for microservices architecture
Limitations
- Not a full-stack framework like Laravel
- Python dependency management can be less straightforward than Composer
- Fewer built-in features for complete applications
- Less mature than established frameworks
- Backend-only requiring separate frontend solutions
Who Uses It
Netflix, Uber, and Microsoft have adopted FastAPI for various microservices. It’s particularly popular for machine learning APIs, microservices, data-intensive applications, and situations where performance and automatic documentation are priorities.
Express
What Is Express?
Express is a minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework that provides a robust set of features for web and mobile applications. In contrast to Laravel’s comprehensive approach, Express provides a thin layer of fundamental web application features without dictating architecture.
Key Features
- Minimalist philosophy unlike Laravel’s batteries-included approach
- Middleware-based architecture for request processing
- JavaScript/TypeScript instead of PHP for server-side logic
- Pluggable components requiring more manual integration than Laravel
- Router system that’s lightweight but requires more manual work
Pros Over Laravel
- Lightweight and flexible for custom architectures
- Lower memory footprint for microservices
- JavaScript throughout stack possibility for full-stack developers
- Higher raw performance for simple API endpoints
- Easier to understand completely due to smaller codebase
Limitations
- Much less built-in functionality than Laravel
- Requires manual integration of many essential features
- No standard way of doing things unlike Laravel’s conventions
- More boilerplate code for common tasks
- Security features must be manually added
Who Uses It
IBM, Accenture, and countless startups use Express as their Node.js framework of choice. It’s perfect for lightweight microservices, APIs, and applications where developers want complete control over their architecture and appreciate its template engine flexibility and routing mechanisms.
FAQ on Laravel Alternatives
Why would I consider switching from Laravel to another PHP framework?
You might consider alternatives if you need better performance for high-traffic applications, a lighter footprint for microservices, different database abstraction tools, or simpler architecture. Some developers switch due to specific project requirements, team expertise with other MVC architecture systems, or when seeking more framework flexibility for custom solutions.
Which frameworks offer similar features to Laravel’s Eloquent ORM?
Several PHP frameworks provide robust ORM systems. Symfony uses Doctrine ORM with powerful entity mapping. CakePHP includes its own ORM with similar conventions. Yii framework offers Active Record implementation. CodeIgniter has a simpler but effective database layer. Each provides different approaches to database integration while maintaining good developer productivity.
What are the lightest Laravel alternatives for small projects?
For small projects, consider Slim PHP framework or Lumen microframework (Laravel’s own lightweight option). CodeIgniter remains popular for its small footprint. These lightweight frameworks offer faster loading times and reduced overhead, making them ideal for API development or simple applications where framework performance matters more than extensive features.
How does Symfony compare to Laravel?
Symfony, created by Fabien Potencier, offers more flexibility but with steeper learning curve. It’s highly modular, excels at enterprise frameworks usage, and powers many other frameworks (including parts of Laravel). Symfony provides excellent dependency injection, robust security, and strong community support. It’s often preferred for complex, long-term projects requiring maximum customization.
Which Laravel alternatives work best with modern JavaScript frameworks?
Most modern backend frameworks work well with JavaScript frameworks. Symfony and Express.js offer excellent RESTful APIs capabilities for Vue.js integration or React integration. Node.js frameworks like Express can eliminate the need for separate backend/frontend languages. Consider frameworks with good JSON Web Tokens support for seamless JS framework authentication.
Are there any Laravel alternatives that don’t use PHP?
Yes! Consider Django framework (Python), Ruby on Rails (Ruby), or Express.js (JavaScript/Node.js frameworks). These non-PHP alternatives provide similar MVC architecture with their own template engines and ORM systems. Switching languages means accessing different ecosystems while maintaining familiar web development patterns and controller structure.
What’s the easiest Laravel alternative to learn for beginners?
CodeIgniter framework remains the most beginner-friendly with straightforward documentation and minimal configuration. It handles basic CRUD operations simply and has gentle learning curve. CakePHP follows conventional patterns making it intuitive. Both frameworks prioritize developer experience over complex features, making the path from concept to working application shorter.
Which Laravel alternative has the strongest community support?
Symfony framework boasts exceptional community support with extensive documentation, regular framework updates, and backing from SensioLabs. CodeIgniter maintains an active, helpful community despite being older. Both have robust ecosystems of plugins, extensions, and composer packages. Strong communities ensure better code maintenance and longevity for your projects.
How do Laravel alternatives handle API development?
Most modern alternatives excel at API development. Slim and Lumen are purpose-built for lightweight APIs. Symfony offers powerful API components with flexible routing mechanisms. Phalcon framework delivers exceptional performance for API-heavy applications. All modern frameworks support RESTful APIs with JSON Web Tokens and various authentication options for secure endpoints.
Can I migrate gradually from Laravel to another framework?
Yes! Consider incremental framework migration. Start by implementing new features in your target framework while maintaining existing Laravel code. Use Docker containers to run both simultaneously. Many frameworks support similar middleware implementation patterns and service containers. Focus on converting one component at a time (models, controllers, views) while maintaining functionality throughout the transition.
Conclusion
Choosing among Laravel alternatives means weighing your specific project needs against each framework’s strengths. The PHP programming language ecosystem continues to evolve, offering robust options for developers seeking different paths.
Consider these key factors when selecting your next framework:
- Framework scalability for future growth
- Available testing frameworks and quality assurance tools
- Package management efficiency with Composer
- Availability of ready-to-use middleware implementation
- Strength of documentation and learning resources
Remember that frameworks like Zend or Phalcon might excel at framework performance, while Django or Express.js offer escape from PHP altogether. Your team’s familiarity with specific controller structure patterns should influence your decision.
The best choice ultimately depends on your specific requirements. Whether prioritizing development speed, database abstraction, or server-side rendering, the perfect backend solution exists beyond Laravel’s boundaries.
If you liked this article about Laravel alternatives, you should check out this article about Angular alternatives.
There are also similar articles discussing PHP alternatives, Ruby alternatives, Redux alternatives, and Express alternatives.
And let’s not forget about articles on Spring alternatives, Flask alternatives, TypeScript alternatives, and Python alternatives.
With over a decade in the tech field, Bogdan blends technical expertise with insights on business innovation in technology.
A regular contributor to TMS Outsource's blog, where you'll find sharp analyses on software development, tech business strategies, and global tech dynamics.
- What Is Gitignore? Understand It in 5 Minutes - May 22, 2025
- Why Embedded Systems Are Crucial for Modern Product Success - May 22, 2025
- What Is MVC? Understanding the Classic Software Pattern - May 21, 2025
