Softwr

Developer Tools · head to head

GoLand vs PHP

GoLand logo

GoLand

Developer Tools

JetBrains IDE for developing applications in Go

From
$24/month
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite
PHP logo

PHP

Web Development

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

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only PHP has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: GoLand requires a paid subscription with no permanently free tier for commercial use.; 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 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GoLand and PHP actually diverge.

Attributes where GoLand and PHP differ
AttributeGoLandPHP
Starting price$24/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
Platformswindows, mac, linuxWeb
CategoryDeveloper ToolsWeb Development
Founded2000Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 GoLand

  • Smart code completion
  • Integrated debugger
  • Refactoring tools
  • Version control integration
  • Docker and Kubernetes support
  • Built-in terminal and database tools

Only in PHP

Nothing recorded that GoLand does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

GoLand

  • Developing Go microservices and backend systemsnot PHP
  • Debugging and profiling Go applicationsnot PHP
  • Working with Docker and Kubernetes deploymentsnot PHP
  • Refactoring large Go codebasesnot PHP

PHP

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

Where each one falls short

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

GoLand

  • Requires a paid subscription with no permanently free tier for commercial use.
  • Heavier resource usage than lightweight text editors like Vim or Sublime Text.
  • Primarily optimized for Go, so multi-language teams may prefer a broader IDE like VS Code or IntelliJ Ultimate.
  • License renewal pricing increases after the first year if a subscription lapses.

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

GoLand

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

PHP

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PHP review.

Which should you pick?

Choose GoLand if

  • You need smart code completion.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want integrated debugger.
GoLand review

Choose PHP if

  • You want to start without paying.
PHP review

Questions people ask

Is GoLand or PHP better?
Neither clearly leads. GoLand starts at $24/month and PHP at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GoLand or PHP?
PHP has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $24/month for GoLand and Free for PHP.
Does GoLand or PHP run on more platforms?
GoLand runs on windows, mac, linux. PHP runs on Web.
Can I use PHP for free?
Yes. PHP has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. GoLand starts at $24/month.
What is GoLand best used for?
GoLand is most often used for developing go microservices and backend systems, debugging and profiling go applications, working with docker and kubernetes deployments, refactoring large go codebases. Of those, developing go microservices and backend systems and debugging and profiling go applications are not what PHP is typically brought in for.
What can GoLand do that PHP cannot?
GoLand covers Smart code completion, Integrated debugger, Refactoring tools, Version control integration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

GoLand: How much does GoLand cost?

GoLand is sold as a JetBrains Toolbox subscription starting around $24/month for individuals and $34/month for organizations, with discounts for longer commitments and free licenses for students and open-source maintainers.

Source
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
GoLand: Is there a free trial?

JetBrains offers a free trial period for GoLand before requiring purchase of a Toolbox subscription license.

Source
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
GoLand: What platforms does GoLand run on?

GoLand runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux as a desktop application distributed through JetBrains Toolbox.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on GoLand

More on PHP

Keep looking

Other head to heads