PHP vs JavaScript: Strangely Friends or Friendly Strangers? How To Choose Between the Two?

You’re planning your next big web development project, but one crucial decision keeps holding you back: PHP or JavaScript? Both languages have stood the test of time, powering millions of websites and applications. 

PHP, the backbone of server-side scripting, has been a go-to for web development for decades. Meanwhile, JavaScript has transformed from a simple client-side tool into a full-stack powerhouse with multiple frameworks released. 

But here’s the challenge — choosing the wrong language could mean performance bottlenecks, scalability issues, or unnecessary development costs. 

And our experts at Mavlers state that “Picking a programming language isn’t just about syntax—it’s about efficiency, ecosystem support, and future-proofing your project.” 

So, how do you decide which one fits your needs best? 

Mavlers has a team of 250+ highly experienced developers who have built 9000+ websites. They know the drill of choosing the right programming languages and platforms based on the business requirements and goals they want to achieve. 

In this blog, we’ll break down the strengths and limitations of PHP and JavaScript, helping you make an informed decision based on your project’s requirements. Whether you’re building a dynamic e-commerce site, a scalable SaaS application, or a robust API, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s the Table of Contents we’ll explore:

• PHP and JavaScript – Evolution and significance 
• Core differences between PHP and JavaScript 
• Pros and cons of PHP 
• Pros and cons of JavaScript 
• When to choose PHP and JavaScript? Final verdict 
• Wrapping up 

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of how these two languages compare and which one aligns best with your goals. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of PHP vs. JavaScript and settle the debate once and for all.

PHP and JavaScript – Evolution and significance  

PHP has been a cornerstone of web development for decades, powering everything from small blogs to massive platforms like Facebook and WordPress. 

• In 1994, PHP was created by Rasmus Lerdorf as a set of tools to manage his personal homepage (hence the name Personal Home Page).
• In 2004, PHP 5.0 brought object-oriented programming (OOP) support, revolutionizing how developers built applications. (This is what we will stress upon more when we talk about the upper hand.) 
• In 2020, PHP 8.0 introduced JIT (Just-In-Time) compilation, significantly improving performance. 

JavaScript started as a simple scripting language for adding interactivity to web pages. Today, it’s a full-stack powerhouse driving modern web development. 

• In 1995, Brenan Eich created JavaScript in just 10 days as an interactivity feature to Netscape Navigator. 
• In 2005, AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) revolutionized web development by adding dynamic, real-time updates on web pages without even reloading it. 
• In the 2020s, frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js dominate front-end development, while Node.js continues to thrive on the back end.

Now, let’s head straight to the core differences between PHP and JavaScript. 

Core differences between PHP and JavaScript 

Here are some key differences between PHP and JavaScript based on their use cases and features. 

1. On the basis of execution environment

PHP	JavaScript
PHP runs on the server, generating HTML that’s sent to the client’s browser.	JavaScript runs in the browser, enabling dynamic, interactive web pages. With Node.js, JavaScript can also run on the server, making it a full-stack language.
Ideal for backend tasks like database interactions, form processing, and dynamic content generation.	Front-end interactivity (e.g., animations, form validation) and back-end APIs (e.g., Express.js).

2. On the basis of syntax and language features 

PHP	JavaScript
Syntax is similar to C and Perl, with a focus on simplicity for server-side tasks. Example: <?php echo “Hello, World!”; ?>	Syntax is influenced by Java and C, with a focus on flexibility and versatility. Example: console.log(“Hello, World!”);
Primarily object-oriented (OOP) with support for classes, inheritance, and interfaces. Functional programming is possible but less common.	Supports both OOP and functional programming (FP). FP features like higher-order functions and closures are widely used.

3. On the basis of performance and scalability

PHP	JavaScript
Optimized for server-side tasks, with fast execution for dynamic content generation.	Highly performant for client-side tasks due to modern browser engines (e.g., V8).
Performance can vary based on the framework (e.g., Laravel vs. plain PHP).	Node.js excels in handling asynchronous tasks, making it ideal for real-time applications.
Scales well for traditional web applications, especially with frameworks like Laravel and Symfony.	Scales exceptionally for real-time applications (e.g., chat apps, gaming platforms) and SPAs.
Best suited for content-heavy sites, eCommerce platforms, and CMS-driven projects.	Node.js’s event-driven architecture makes it ideal for handling high concurrency.

Now, let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both PHP and JavaScript.

Pros and cons of PHP 

Advantages of PHP	Disadvantages of PHP
PHP has been around since 1995, resulting in a vast library of resources, documentation, and community support.	PHP’s long history means there’s a lot of outdated code and practices still in use, which can lead to inconsistencies.
Almost every web hosting provider supports PHP, making it easy to deploy and maintain PHP-based applications.	Critics argue that PHP’s design lacks the elegance and consistency of newer languages like Python or JavaScript.
PHP powers some of the most popular CMS platforms, including WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla.	PHP traditionally struggles with asynchronous tasks, though newer tools like ReactPHP are addressing this.
Frameworks like Laravel and Symfony provide modern, structured approaches to PHP development, offering features like routing, ORM, and templating.	While PHP can scale well with the right architecture (e.g., Laravel with Redis), it may not be as naturally suited for high-concurrency applications as Node.js.

Pros and cons of JavaScript 

Advantages of JavaScript	Disadvantages of JavaScript
JavaScript powers dynamic, interactive web pages, enabling features like animations, form validation, and real-time updates.	The sheer number of frameworks, libraries, and tools can be overwhelming, especially for beginners.
With Node.js, JavaScript can handle back-end tasks, making it a full-stack language.	JavaScript’s flexibility can lead to vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting (XSS) if not handled carefully.
React, Angular, and Vue.js dominate front-end development, offering powerful tools for building user interfaces.	Mastering both front-end and back-end development with JavaScript requires a broad skill set, including knowledge of frameworks, databases, and deployment strategies.
Node.js and its ecosystem (e.g., Express.js, Nest.js) provide robust solutions for server-side development.	Setting up and maintaining a JavaScript project can involve complex tooling (e.g., Webpack, Babel) and configuration.

So, are you ready to make a decision and choose between PHP and JavaScript now? Let’s find out.

When to choose PHP and JavaScript? Final verdict

When to choose PHP?

PHP has been a reliable partner of web developers for decades. And it’s not because it was the only choice for a long time but because of its usability and accessibility in –

• Building traditional web applications for e-commerce platforms, online community forums, blogs, etc. 
• Establishing building blocks for most popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, etc. 
• Offering extensive hosting support to build and showcase prototypes quickly. 
• For example, popular websites like WordPress and Wikipedia are built on PHP. Facebook, in its early days, was built on PHP, but later, they developed a PHP derivative called Hack to scale the platform. And the rest is history. 

When to choose JavaScript? 

JavaScript’s versatility is a powerhouse for modern web development. If you want to create an interactive website with real-time applications, you know your calling. 

Here are a few ideal scenarios where JavaScript becomes the default choice. 

• Building single-page Interactive web applications using frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js.
• You can create real-time data applications like chatting apps and gaming platforms using Node.js. 
• You can also handle both front-end and back-end web development using Node.js. That makes JavaScript a one-stop solution for full-stack web development projects. 
• For example, popular platforms like Netflix, LinkedIn, Trello, etc., use React and Node.js to ensure a seamless user experience while maintaining high performance for a large number of users. 

Neck-and-neck until now, right? That’s because it’s unfair to pick one over the other, given that both play significant roles in a website’s success. That’s why we need to find a middle ground. Like a hybrid approach – where you leverage the strengths of both PHP and JavaScript.

So, here is what our experts suggest. 

• For dynamic, interactive user interfaces, you can use Javascript frameworks like React or Vue.js for front-end development. 
• You can handle server-side tasks like database interactions and business logic using PHP for back-end development. 

Wrapping up 

The choice between PHP and JavaScript isn’t just about technology—it’s about aligning your tools with your goals, team, and target audience. By understanding their strengths and weaknesses, you can make informed decisions that set your project up for success. 

So, whether you’re building a WordPress site with PHP or crafting a real-time app with JavaScript, the future is yours to shape. 

Ready to dive deeper? Let’s fold excuses into airplanes and throw them into the future. 

Here are some more similar reads if you’d like to consider. 

Transitioning Your WordPress Website to PHP 8 from 7.4: Everything You Must Know 

From Code to Clicks: Essential JavaScript SEO Best Practices for Higher Rankings