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PHP vs Preact

PHP logo

PHP

Web Development

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Preact logo

Preact

Web Development

3kB alternative to React with the same modern API

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Preact compatibility through preact/compat is good but not total, and some React libraries break in ways that are hard to diagnose
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PHP and Preact actually diverge.

Attributes where PHP and Preact differ
AttributePHPPreact
Pricing modelopen-sourceOpen source, no licence fee

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web), 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 Preact does not also cover.

Only in Preact

  • 3kB runtime
  • preact/compat
  • Same modern API
  • Fast rendering

What people use each for

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

PHP

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

Preact

  • Embedded widgets that load inside someone else’s page and must stay smallnot PHP
  • Marketing and content sites where JavaScript payload affects Core Web Vitalsnot PHP
  • Applications targeting low-bandwidth or low-powered devicesnot 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)

Preact

  • Compatibility through preact/compat is good but not total, and some React libraries break in ways that are hard to diagnose
  • Behavioural differences from React exist in edge cases, particularly around event handling
  • A much smaller community, so unusual problems have fewer existing answers than React

Pricing, plan by plan

PHP

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PHP review.

Preact

Free
  • PreactFree
    • Full library
    • Commercial use permitted
    • No usage limits

Which should you pick?

Choose PHP if

  • You want to start without paying.
PHP review

Choose Preact if

  • You need 3kb runtime.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want preact/compat.
Preact review

Questions people ask

Is PHP or Preact better?
Neither clearly leads. PHP starts at Free and Preact at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PHP or Preact?
PHP starts at Free and Preact at Free.
Does PHP or Preact run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use PHP for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is PHP best used for?
PHP is most often used for server-side web development, content management systems, api backends. Of those, server-side web development and content management systems are not what Preact is typically brought in for.
What can PHP do that Preact cannot?
Preact covers 3kB runtime, preact/compat, Same modern API, Fast rendering.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Preact: Is Preact free?

Yes, open source under the MIT licence.

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
Preact: Can I use React libraries with Preact?

Most, through the preact/compat layer. Compatibility is good but not complete, so libraries relying on React internals can break.

Preact: Why choose Preact over React?

Bundle size, almost always. If payload is not a binding constraint, React’s ecosystem is usually the better trade.

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