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PHP vs SolidJS

PHP logo

PHP

Web Development

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SolidJS logo

SolidJS

Web Development

Reactive JavaScript framework with no virtual DOM

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; SolidJS much smaller ecosystem than React, so many problems have no off-the-shelf library
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PHP and SolidJS actually diverge.

Attributes where PHP and SolidJS differ
AttributePHPSolidJS
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 SolidJS does not also cover.

Only in SolidJS

  • No virtual DOM
  • Components run once
  • JSX syntax
  • Small bundles

What people use each for

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

PHP

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

SolidJS

  • Interfaces where update performance is the binding constraintnot PHP
  • Teams comfortable with React syntax who want finer-grained reactivitynot PHP
  • Applications where bundle size directly affects the businessnot 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)

SolidJS

  • Much smaller ecosystem than React, so many problems have no off-the-shelf library
  • The React-like syntax is misleading: components run once, and React habits produce subtle bugs
  • Smaller hiring pool and fewer learning resources than the mainstream frameworks

Pricing, plan by plan

PHP

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PHP review.

SolidJS

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

Which should you pick?

Choose PHP if

  • You want to start without paying.
PHP review

Choose SolidJS if

  • You need no virtual dom.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want components run once.
SolidJS review

Questions people ask

Is PHP or SolidJS better?
Neither clearly leads. PHP starts at Free and SolidJS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PHP or SolidJS?
PHP starts at Free and SolidJS at Free.
Does PHP or SolidJS 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 SolidJS is typically brought in for.
What can PHP do that SolidJS cannot?
SolidJS covers No virtual DOM, Components run once, JSX syntax, Small bundles.

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
SolidJS: Is SolidJS 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
SolidJS: Is SolidJS just React without the virtual DOM?

The syntax is similar but the model is not. Solid components run once and reactivity is fine-grained, so patterns that are correct in React can be wrong in Solid.

SolidJS: Why is SolidJS fast?

It compiles away much of the framework and updates individual DOM nodes directly, rather than re-rendering components and diffing a virtual DOM.

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