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Design · head to head

Framer vs PhpStorm

Framer logo

Framer

Design

Design and publish stunning sites

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit FramerFull review
PhpStorm logo

PhpStorm

Developer Tools

JetBrains IDE for PHP web development

From
$24/month
Free plan
No
Visit PhpStormFull review

The short version

  • Framer is a web design tool.
  • Framer has a free plan, then $10/mo; PhpStorm starts at $24/mo.
  • Only Framer lists visual design editor; only PhpStorm lists PHP-aware coding assistance.
  • Where Framer falls short: free tier limited to 500 credits and 1 GB bandwidth.
  • Where PhpStorm falls short: requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Framer and PhpStorm actually diverge.

Attributes where Framer and PhpStorm differ
AttributeFramerPhpStorm
Starting priceFree$24/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, macOSWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryDesignDeveloper Tools
Founded20132000

Not yet recorded: pricing model for Framer.

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 Framer

  • Visual design editor
  • Interactive components
  • Responsive design
  • CMS integration
  • SEO optimization
  • Custom code
  • Team collaboration
  • Version control

Only in PhpStorm

  • PHP-aware coding assistance
  • Integrated debugger
  • Front-end tooling
  • Database tools
  • Version control integration
  • Docker and remote deployment

What people use each for

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

Framer

  • Marketing websitesnot PhpStorm
  • Landing pagesnot PhpStorm
  • Portfoliosnot PhpStorm
  • SaaS productsnot PhpStorm
  • E-commerce sitesnot PhpStorm

PhpStorm

  • Building PHP web applications with Laravel or Symfonynot Framer
  • Debugging PHP code with Xdebugnot Framer
  • Working across PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in one projectnot Framer
  • Managing databases alongside application codenot Framer

Where each one falls short

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

Framer

  • Free tier limited to 500 credits and 1 GB bandwidth
  • CMS collections capped at 10 on Pro tier; unlimited only on Enterprise
  • Free tier does not include custom domain support
  • Paid editor slots cost extra at $20/month per additional editor

PhpStorm

  • Requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use
  • Heavier and slower to start than lightweight code editors
  • Some advanced framework-specific tooling requires additional configuration or plugins
  • Renewal pricing rises for lapsed subscriptions after the grace period

Pricing, plan by plan

Framer

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 500 credits
    • Free Framer domain
    • 1 GB bandwidth
  • Basic$10/mo
    • Custom domain
    • 2 CMS collections
    • 50 GB bandwidth
  • Pro$30/mo
    • All Basic features
    • 10 CMS collections
    • 100 GB bandwidth
  • EnterpriseOn request
    • Custom limits
    • Unlimited editors
    • 99.99% uptime guarantee

PhpStorm

$24/month
  • Individual$24/mo
    • Personal use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Free for students and open-source maintainers
  • Organization$34/mo
    • Business use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Volume and renewal discounts

Which should you pick?

Choose Framer if

  • You need visual design editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS.
  • You also want interactive components.
Framer review

Choose PhpStorm if

  • You need php-aware coding assistance.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want integrated debugger.
PhpStorm review

Questions people ask

Is Framer or PhpStorm better?
Neither clearly leads. Framer starts at Free and PhpStorm at $24/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Framer or PhpStorm?
Framer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Framer and $24/month for PhpStorm.
Does Framer or PhpStorm run on more platforms?
Framer runs on Web, macOS. PhpStorm runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Framer for free?
Yes. Framer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PhpStorm starts at $24/month.
What is Framer best used for?
Framer is most often used for marketing websites, landing pages, portfolios, saas products. Of those, marketing websites and landing pages are not what PhpStorm is typically brought in for.
What can Framer do that PhpStorm cannot?
Framer covers Visual design editor, Interactive components, Responsive design, CMS integration. PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance, Integrated debugger, Front-end tooling, Database tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Framer: What's included in Framer's free tier?

The Free plan provides 500 credits to try the platform, a free Framer domain, and 1 GB bandwidth for exploring the builder.

Source
PhpStorm: How much does PhpStorm cost?

PhpStorm is sold via JetBrains Toolbox subscription starting around $24/month for individuals and $34/month for organizations, with free licenses for students and open-source maintainers.

Source
Framer: Can I use my own custom domain with Framer?

Custom domains are included in Basic ($10/month) and higher plans. Free tier is limited to a free Framer domain.

Source
PhpStorm: Is there a free trial?

JetBrains offers a free trial of PhpStorm so developers can test it before subscribing.

Source
Framer: What AI features does Framer offer?

Framer includes an AI design agent that works on the canvas to generate and refine designs in real-time, plus a CMS agent for managing content directly on the canvas.

Source
PhpStorm: What platforms does PhpStorm support?

PhpStorm is a desktop IDE available on Windows, macOS, and Linux via JetBrains Toolbox.

Source
Framer: How many CMS collections can I create on different plans?

Basic ($10/month) includes 2 CMS collections, Pro ($30/month) includes 10 CMS collections. Enterprise plans offer custom limits.

Source
Framer: Does Framer support staging environments and previews?

Staging environments and branching with previews are included on the Pro plan ($30/month). Standard plan includes published-only access.

Source
Framer: What uptime guarantee does Framer provide?

Framer offers 99.99% uptime guarantee on paid plans. Enterprise plans include dedicated support and custom SLAs.

Source
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