Web Development · head to head
PHP vs Django
PHP
Web Development
A popular general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited to web development
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Django
Web Development
The web framework for perfectionists with deadlines
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 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; Django does not fully support asynchronous database access
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which PHP and Django actually diverge.
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 PHP
Nothing recorded that Django does not also cover.
Only in Django
- Model-View-Template (MVT)
- Object-relational mapping
- Automatic admin interface
- URL routing
- Template engine
- Form handling
- Authentication system
- Internationalization
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
PHP
No use cases recorded yet. See the PHP review.
Django
- Web application developmentnot PHP
- Content management systemsnot PHP
- E-commerce platformsnot PHP
- API developmentnot PHP
- News websitesnot PHP
- Social networksnot PHP
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal 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
- 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)
Django
- Does not fully support asynchronous database access
- Monolithic design can feel restrictive for small-scale or lightweight applications
- Batteries-included approach adds overhead if features are not needed
- Slower framework evolution due to backward compatibility requirements
Pricing, plan by plan
PHP
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the PHP review.
Django
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full web framework
- Admin interface
- ORM system
Which should you pick?
Choose Django if
- You need model-view-template (mvt).
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
- You also want object-relational mapping.
Questions people ask
- Is PHP or Django better?
- Neither clearly leads. PHP starts at Free and Django at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, PHP or Django?
- PHP starts at Free and Django at Free.
- Does PHP or Django run on more platforms?
- PHP runs on Web. Django runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.
- Can I use PHP for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What can PHP do that Django cannot?
- Django covers Model-View-Template (MVT), Object-relational mapping, Automatic admin interface, URL routing.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Django: What databases does Django support?
Django natively supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite3, and Oracle databases through its ORM, allowing developers to switch databases without rewriting code.
SourceDjango: How does Django handle database schema changes?
Django includes a built-in migration system. Developers use makemigrations to create migration files and migrate to apply changes to the database schema.
SourceDjango: Does Django support asynchronous programming?
Django added basic async/await support, but full asynchronous database access remains limited. The framework does not fully support asynchronous programming, which can be a limitation for real-time applications.
SourceDjango: Is Django free and open source?
Yes, Django is free and open-source software maintained by the Django Software Foundation, founded in June 2008.
Source