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Web Development · head to head

Drupal vs PHP

D

Drupal

Web Development

Open-source CMS for complex, structured content sites

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PHP logo

PHP

Web Development

A popular general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited to web development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Drupal steep learning curve: concepts that are implicit in WordPress are explicit and must be configured; PHP distributed under the Modified BSD License, also called the PHP License version 4, per php.net/license/; there is no paid tier or vendor price to compare
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Drupal and PHP actually diverge.

Attributes where Drupal and PHP differ
AttributeDrupalPHP
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeopen-source
PlatformsWeb, Linux, Self-hostedWeb

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Web Development).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Drupal

  • Structured content modelling
  • Granular permissions
  • Multilingual
  • Views

Only in PHP

Nothing recorded that Drupal does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Drupal

  • Government and university sites with complex content models and strict permissionsnot PHP
  • Multilingual sites where translation is structural rather than a pluginnot PHP
  • Publishers needing custom content types and editorial workflownot PHP

PHP

  • Server-side web developmentnot Drupal
  • Content management systemsnot Drupal
  • API backendsnot Drupal

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Drupal

  • Steep learning curve: concepts that are implicit in WordPress are explicit and must be configured
  • Smaller developer pool than WordPress, and correspondingly higher build costs
  • Major version upgrades have historically been substantial projects, not routine updates
  • Considerably more machinery than a straightforward marketing site needs

PHP

  • Distributed under the Modified BSD License, also called the PHP License version 4, per php.net/license/; there is no paid tier or vendor price to compare
  • PHP 8.2 lost active support on 31 Dec 2024 and enters full end of life on 31 Dec 2026, with only security fixes since, per php.net/supported-versions.php (Aug 2026)

Pricing, plan by plan

Drupal

Free
  • DrupalFree
    • Full functionality
    • Commercial use permitted
    • Community support

PHP

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PHP review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Drupal if

  • You need structured content modelling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Linux, Self-hosted.
  • You also want granular permissions.
Drupal review

Choose PHP if

  • You want to start without paying.
PHP review

Questions people ask

Is Drupal or PHP better?
Neither clearly leads. Drupal starts at Free and PHP at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Drupal or PHP?
Drupal starts at Free and PHP at Free.
Does Drupal or PHP run on more platforms?
Drupal runs on Web, Linux, Self-hosted. PHP runs on Web.
Can I use Drupal for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Drupal best used for?
Drupal is most often used for government and university sites with complex content models and strict permissions, multilingual sites where translation is structural rather than a plugin, publishers needing custom content types and editorial workflow. Of those, government and university sites with complex content models and strict permissions and multilingual sites where translation is structural rather than a plugin are not what PHP is typically brought in for.
What can Drupal do that PHP cannot?
Drupal covers Structured content modelling, Granular permissions, Multilingual, Views.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Drupal: Is Drupal free?

Yes, open source under the GPL. Costs are hosting, development and any commercial modules.

PHP: Is PHP free to use?

Yes, PHP is completely free and open-source software under the PHP Foundation governance. There are no licensing fees or paid tiers.

Source
Drupal: Drupal or WordPress?

WordPress is faster to launch, cheaper to staff and has a much larger plugin ecosystem. Drupal is stronger when the content model is genuinely complex and permissions are strict, which is why institutions favour it.

PHP: Does the PHP Foundation offer paid support?

The PHP Foundation accepts voluntary donations to support long-term development, but donations are optional and not required to use PHP.

Source
Drupal: Why is Drupal common in government and universities?

Structured content modelling, granular access control and multilingual support are core rather than bolted on, and those are exactly the requirements those sectors have.

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