Softwr

Developer Tools · head to head

PhpStorm vs WebStorm

PhpStorm logo

PhpStorm

Developer Tools

JetBrains IDE for PHP web development

From
$24/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WebStorm logo

WebStorm

Technology

The JavaScript and TypeScript IDE

From
$12.9/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PhpStorm requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use.; WebStorm jetBrains WebStorm is sold as an annual subscription rather than a one-time purchase: commercial price is $199 per year (USD), and personal price starts at $299 in year one, dropping to $239 in year two and $179 from year three onward with continuous renewal.
  • They diverge on capability: PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance, WebStorm covers Smart JavaScript editor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PhpStorm and WebStorm actually diverge.

Attributes where PhpStorm and WebStorm differ
AttributePhpStormWebStorm
Starting price$24/month$12.9/month
Platformswindows, mac, linuxWindows, Macos, Linux
CategoryDeveloper ToolsTechnology

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), 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 PhpStorm

  • PHP-aware coding assistance
  • Integrated debugger
  • Front-end tooling
  • Database tools
  • Version control integration
  • Docker and remote deployment

Only in WebStorm

  • Smart JavaScript editor
  • TypeScript support
  • Node.js development
  • Modern framework support
  • Built-in debugger
  • Unit testing
  • Version control
  • Live templates

What people use each for

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

PhpStorm

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

WebStorm

  • Web application developmentnot PhpStorm
  • React/Angular/Vue developmentnot PhpStorm
  • Node.js backend developmentnot PhpStorm
  • TypeScript projectsnot PhpStorm
  • Frontend testingnot PhpStorm

Where each one falls short

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

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.

WebStorm

  • JetBrains WebStorm is sold as an annual subscription rather than a one-time purchase: commercial price is $199 per year (USD), and personal price starts at $299 in year one, dropping to $239 in year two and $179 from year three onward with continuous renewal.
  • If the subscription lapses, use of new versions stops; JetBrains grants a fallback license only for the last version used while the subscription was active, per its published buy page.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

WebStorm

$12.9/month
  • Individual$12.9/month
    • Intelligent JavaScript & TypeScript editor
    • Debugging and testing
    • VCS integration
  • Organizations$25.9/month
    • All Individual features
    • Commercial use license
    • Centralized license management

Which should you pick?

Choose PhpStorm if

  • You need php-aware coding assistance.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want integrated debugger.
PhpStorm review

Choose WebStorm if

  • You need smart javascript editor.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want typescript support.
WebStorm review

Questions people ask

Is PhpStorm or WebStorm better?
Neither clearly leads. PhpStorm starts at $24/month and WebStorm at $12.9/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PhpStorm or WebStorm?
PhpStorm starts at $24/month and WebStorm at $12.9/month.
Does PhpStorm or WebStorm run on more platforms?
PhpStorm runs on windows, mac, linux. WebStorm runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
What is PhpStorm best used for?
PhpStorm is most often used for building php web applications with laravel or symfony, debugging php code with xdebug, working across php, html, css, and javascript in one project, managing databases alongside application code. Of those, building php web applications with laravel or symfony and debugging php code with xdebug are not what WebStorm is typically brought in for.
What can PhpStorm do that WebStorm cannot?
PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance, Integrated debugger, Front-end tooling, Database tools. WebStorm covers Smart JavaScript editor, TypeScript support, Node.js development, Modern framework support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
WebStorm: Is there a free version of WebStorm?

Yes, WebStorm is free for non-commercial use and includes access to JetBrains AI with a free tier.

Source
PhpStorm: Is there a free trial?

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

Source
WebStorm: What is the cost of a commercial WebStorm license?

The page references a testimonial mentioning 70 euros as a cost, though specific current pricing requires visiting the dedicated pricing page.

Source
PhpStorm: What platforms does PhpStorm support?

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

Source
WebStorm: How does JetBrains AI licensing work?

Users can pay with JetBrains AI credits, bring their own AI subscriptions and API keys to avoid vendor lock-in, or use the free tier included with WebStorm.

Source
WebStorm: What features does the free tier include?

The free tier includes the smart code editor, navigation tools, integrated developer tools, and customization options.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on PhpStorm

More on WebStorm

Keep looking

Other head to heads