Despite the noise around newer languages, PHP continues to thrive — and JetBrains’ 2025 Developer Ecosystem Report proves it. With insights from over 1,700 PHP developers worldwide, this year’s report highlights how PHP is modernizing, what tools developers love, and where the ecosystem is heading next.
Let’s break down the most important trends.
🚀 PHP Is Still a Top Web Language
PHP remains one of the most-used server-side languages, especially for web development. While its popularity has plateaued, its stability and massive install base keep it relevant.
- WordPress, Laravel, Symfony still dominate
- PHP powers millions of websites and SaaS platforms
- Most developers use PHP alongside JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python
🧠 AI Is Changing How PHP Developers Work
The biggest shift in 2025? AI-assisted development.
- 62% of PHP devs use AI coding assistants like Copilot or JetBrains AI
- 85% use AI tools regularly for debugging, refactoring, or documentation
- AI is now part of the daily workflow, not just a novelty
This means faster prototyping, fewer bugs, and more time for creative architecture.
🧰 Laravel Leads the Framework Pack
Laravel continues to be the most popular PHP framework, with strong developer satisfaction.
- Blade templating, Eloquent ORM, and Artisan CLI remain favorites
- Laravel’s Cloud, Forge, and Vapor tools are gaining traction
- Microservices and API-first apps are driving Laravel adoption
Symfony and CodeIgniter still have loyal followings, but Laravel’s DX wins hearts.
🧪 Testing, Tooling & IDEs
JetBrains found that PHP developers are investing more in testing and tooling:
- PHPUnit is still the top testing framework
- Pest is growing fast among Laravel devs
- PHPStan and Psalm are widely used for static analysis
- PhpStorm remains the most-loved IDE, followed by VS Code
This reflects a maturing ecosystem focused on quality and maintainability.
🌍 Global Developer Trends
The report shows PHP’s strongest communities in:
- India, Japan, USA, Russia, and France
- Many PHP developers are now full-stack, using React, Vue, or Alpine.js
- Remote work and freelance PHP development are on the rise
🔮 What’s Next for PHP?
JetBrains and community experts predict:
- More AI-native tooling baked into IDEs
- Better performance in PHP 9.x
- Continued growth in Laravel-based SaaS and headless CMS
- A shift toward typed, test-driven development
🧵 Final Thoughts
PHP isn’t dying — it’s evolving. With AI, modern frameworks, and a global developer base, PHP in 2025 is leaner, smarter, and more resilient than ever.
If you’re building in Laravel, exploring AI workflows, or launching a SaaS, this report is a must-read.
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Sources:
JetBrains Developer Ecosystem 2025
State of PHP 2025 – JetBrains Blog