2024 Best Micro Frameworks for PHP

Introduction

Well it's August 2024 and it's time for another framework comparison! In the world of web development, PHP micro frameworks have become a popular choice for developers looking to create lightweight, efficient, and fast applications. These frameworks offer the core functionalities required to build web applications without the overhead of full-stack frameworks. Many projects developed with this frameworks are for creating RESTful APIs and they have been optimized to cater to these projects. This article will compare five popular PHP micro frameworks: Slim, Flight, Fat-Free, Silex, and Lumen. We'll examine them based on their community level, simplicity, performance, and ease of use to help you decide which one is the best fit for your project.

Slim Framework

Community Level

Slim has one of the most active communities among PHP micro frameworks. With a large number of contributors and extensive documentation, it's easy to find support, resources and example projects out there.

Simplicity

Slim is designed to be simple and intuitive. It follows a straightforward approach, allowing developers to quickly set up routes and middleware. For a light weight framework it does have several dependencies which can turn away some developers. It also needs additional package configuration out of the box to get it to handle the requests and responses in a way that is useful for most developers.

Performance

Slim is highly performant compared to full stack frameworks, thanks to its lightweight nature. Despite it not including unnecessary features, it is one of the heavier micro frameworks in terms of performance.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is one of Slim's strongest points. Its clear documentation and examples make it easy to get started. The framework also supports PSR-7 and PSR-15 standards, making it compatible with various middleware and components.

Flight Framework

Community Level

Flight has a smaller, but dedicated community. While not as large as Slim's, it still offers good support through chat and GitHub.

Simplicity

Flight prides itself on being minimalist. Its API is clean and concise, which allows developers to build applications quickly without getting bogged down by complexity. It's documentation has recently been revamped and is now more user friendly than ever.

Performance

Flight's performance is solid, given its minimalistic design. It avoids adding overhead, ensuring fast response times for applications. Out of all the frameworks here, according to the TechEmpower benchmarks, Flight is consistently the fastest beating out the next leading competitor (Slim) by an average of 50% and beating out Lumens by an average of 125%!

Ease of Use

Flight is user-friendly, with a gentle learning curve. It is meant for a newer developer just breaking into the framework world or for the seasoned developer that wants control over more aspects of their project. Its simplicity makes it accessible to new developers, while its power appeals to experienced ones looking for a straightforward solution. There is also a page dedicated to help compare Flight to other frameworks to help you make a decision.

Fat-Free Framework (F3)

Community Level

Fat-Free Framework has a moderately active community. There are sufficient resources available, including documentation and community support.

Simplicity

Fat-Free Framework aims to be both simple and powerful. It includes a range of features out of the box, which can sometimes complicate its simplicity. However, it provides a good balance between functionality and ease of use.

Performance

F3 is known for its high performance. Its efficient design and minimalistic core ensure that applications run smoothly and quickly.

Ease of Use

Fat-Free Framework is relatively easy to use, though the abundance of built-in features can be overwhelming for beginners. Once familiar with its capabilities, developers can take full advantage of its robust functionality.

Silex Framework

Community Level

Silex had a robust community, largely due to its association with Symfony. Although Silex itself has been discontinued, the community support and resources are still available through Symfony channels.

Simplicity

Silex is simple and elegant, designed to leverage the power of Symfony components without the bloat. Its design makes it easy to create powerful applications with minimal effort.

Performance

Performance is not one of Silex's strengths, however it does benefit from the optimization of Symfony components. It provides a lightweight yet powerful foundation for web applications.

Ease of Use

Silex is user-friendly for those in the Symfony ecosystem. Its integration with Symfony components makes it easy to extend and enhance applications as needed.

Lumen Framework

Community Level

Lumen probably has the largest and most active community, supported by Laravel. This ensures abundant resources, documentation, and community support.

Simplicity

Lumen is designed to be simple and "fast". It strips down Laravel to its essentials, providing a streamlined framework for building microservices and APIs.

Performance

Lumen is built for performance, optimized for speed and efficiency. Despite that, it consistently is nearly dead last in most benchmarks.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is a hallmark of Lumen, particularly for developers familiar with Laravel. Its clear documentation and extensive resources make it easy to get started and build robust applications. However, it now no longer recommended to use Lumen and to use Laravel instead which highlights that it's very likely to be discontinued in the future.

Comparison Table

This table provides a summary of the key features of each PHP micro framework, but it is important to note that this is weighted against the frameworks in this article for new users and not against all PHP frameworks.

*Ease of use for Silex is rated low for being discontinued and not actively maintained. Users are asked to move to Symfony.

FAQs

What is the best PHP micro framework for beginners?
Slim is generally considered the most popular for beginners due to its simplicity and extensive documentation. The best framework for you will depend on your specific needs and familiarity with PHP. For those starting out in PHP, Flight is also a great choice due to its minimalist design and ease of use.

Which PHP micro framework has the best performance?
Flight is known for its exceptional performance, making it a top choice for building fast and efficient applications.

Is Silex still a good choice for new projects?
While Silex is no longer actively maintained, it is still a viable option for new projects due to its simplicity and integration with Symfony components.

How does Flight compare to Slim in terms of ease of use?
Flight is slightly more feature-rich than Slim containing a few helpful tricks out of the box. Flight also has no dependencies, which can make it easier to get started with.

Can I use Fat-Free Framework for complex applications?
Yes, Fat-Free Framework includes a range of features that make it suitable for complex applications, although architectural discipline to make sure the project is structured correctly might be overwhelming for beginners at first.

Which framework should I choose if I'm already familiar with Laravel?
Lumen is the best choice for developers familiar with Laravel, as it retains the core functionality of Laravel while being optimized for microservices and APIs.

Conclusion

Choosing the right PHP micro framework depends on your project's specific needs and your familiarity with the frameworks. Slim is ideal for beginners and those looking for simplicity and ease of use. Flight offers a performant minimalist approach that appeals to developers who prefer a straightforward framework that gives them more control. Fat-Free Framework strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality, making it suitable for more complex applications. Silex, despite being discontinued, remains a robust choice due to its integration with Symfony. Lumen stands out for its performance and ease of use, especially for developers already familiar with Laravel.

In summary, all five frameworks have their strengths and can be the right choice depending on your requirements. Evaluate your project's needs and choose the framework that aligns best with your goals. Happy coding!