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Developer Tools · head to head

GoLand vs PhpStorm

GoLand logo

GoLand

Developer Tools

JetBrains IDE for developing applications in Go

From
$24/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PhpStorm logo

PhpStorm

Developer Tools

JetBrains IDE for PHP web development

From
$24/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: GoLand requires a paid subscription with no permanently free tier for commercial use.; PhpStorm requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use.
  • They diverge on capability: GoLand covers Smart code completion, PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GoLand and PhpStorm actually diverge.

Attributes where GoLand and PhpStorm differ
AttributeGoLandPhpStorm

Identical on both: starting price ($24/month), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (windows, mac, linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Developer Tools), founded (2000).

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
  • Refactoring tools
  • Docker and Kubernetes support
  • Built-in terminal and database tools

Only in PhpStorm

  • PHP-aware coding assistance
  • Front-end tooling
  • Database tools
  • Docker and remote deployment

Both cover

  • Integrated debugger
  • Version control integration

What people use each for

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

GoLand

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

PhpStorm

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

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

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

PhpStorm

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

Which should you pick?

Choose GoLand if

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

Choose PhpStorm if

  • You need php-aware coding assistance.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want front-end tooling.
PhpStorm review

Questions people ask

Is GoLand or PhpStorm better?
Neither clearly leads. GoLand starts at $24/month and PhpStorm at $24/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GoLand or PhpStorm?
GoLand starts at $24/month and PhpStorm at $24/month.
Does GoLand or PhpStorm run on more platforms?
Both run on windows, mac, linux, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 PhpStorm is typically brought in for.
What can GoLand do that PhpStorm cannot?
GoLand covers Smart code completion, Refactoring tools, Docker and Kubernetes support, Built-in terminal and database tools. PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance, Front-end tooling, Database tools, Docker and remote deployment. Both handle Integrated debugger, 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
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
GoLand: Is there a free trial?

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

Source
PhpStorm: Is there a free trial?

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

Source
GoLand: What platforms does GoLand run on?

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

Source
PhpStorm: What platforms does PhpStorm support?

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

Source
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