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Laravel PHP Framework vs Zend Framework comparison

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Laravel PHP Framework
Ranking in PHP Frameworks
1st
Average Rating
8.4
Number of Reviews
12
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Zend Framework
Ranking in PHP Frameworks
4th
Average Rating
9.0
Number of Reviews
1
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the PHP Frameworks category, the mindshare of Laravel PHP Framework is 30.2%, up from 26.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zend Framework is 16.3%, down from 16.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
PHP Frameworks Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Laravel PHP Framework30.2%
Zend Framework16.3%
Other53.5%
PHP Frameworks
 

Featured Reviews

AB
Goldloan at IIFL
Open source optimization and security level complemented by potential enhancement in module development
Apart from Drupal, I work with other technologies including PHP, MySQL, React, Bootstrap, and CSS. With PHP, I use the Laravel PHP Framework. I have experience using Eloquent ORM in the Laravel PHP Framework in a LAMP stack. In the database, I exclusively use MySQL. I have utilized the Blade templating engine with MariaDB. The impact of Laravel's modular packaging system on development processes is significant as it requires setting up your web server and PHP installation, with Apache executing the code in the view root directory. The robust set of security features like protection against CSRF and SQL injections is critical in ensuring application security. In my development process, SQL injection attacks on the database are protected by storing all data in encrypted format. Additionally, I focus on proper database design, indexing with PostgreSQL, and creating stored procedures, ensuring that data is validated and checked every time a form is submitted before being inputted into the database. From a security point of view regarding database security against SQL injections, my first priority is to check what types of data are being sent to the table, ensuring that data is always executed in encrypted format before being stored. I chose to stay with Laravel because it is built on the Symfony framework, which provides good security as a foundation. On a scale of 1-10, I rate the Laravel PHP Framework a 7.
it_user220542 - PeerSpot reviewer
Database Engineer at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
We consolidated PHP code into a single set of modules and libraries but it needs integration improvements from the security perspective.
Ease of use Documentation Community Its hard to tell, but Zend Framework allowed us to consolidate PHP code into single set of modules and libraries, which are simple to share between different projects. It requires enterprise integration improvements from the security, and audit perspective…

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"What I find beneficial in the Laravel PHP Framework is that it is open source, and the code optimization is executed programmatically by default, its built-in tools and levels allow for quick application development, and its security features are good, requiring very little maintenance, while multiple tools and executing plugins are readily available."
"Everything in Laravel PHP Framework is perfectly tailored."
"Laravel PHP Framework has positively impacted my organization by leading to good productivity and efficiency."
"The most valuable feature is how the framework minimizes the need to use redundant code."
"What I find beneficial in the Laravel PHP Framework is that it is open source, and the code optimization is executed programmatically by default, its built-in tools and levels allow for quick application development, and its security features are good, requiring very little maintenance, while multiple tools and executing plugins are readily available."
"Laravel PHP Framework has positively impacted my organization because it is very easy to use and master while providing incredible control over everything."
"Laravel is one of the most complete and well-thought-out PHP frameworks available today, and if you are building any kind of web backend, REST API, or enterprise application, Laravel will save you an enormous amount of time and give you a solid production-ready foundation."
"Since we started with Laravel PHP Framework, our product development time has been very efficient, and our team is very efficient and comfortable."
"Zend Framework allowed us to consolidate PHP code into a single set of modules and libraries, which are simple to share between different projects."
 

Cons

"Most users who are not conversant with setting up databases may have a challenge because Laravel requires a working database, whether it is MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL, or another option."
"One thing that is not so good about this solution is that the implementation process is quite complex."
"Regarding room for improvement, there are various things at the code level such as Eloquent relationships, including has one and has many, which we can optimize a bit more so that we can get the data faster."
"First, the learning curve for advanced features is steep; features such as broadcasting for real-time updates, Horizon for queue monitoring, or Sanctum for API token authentication are powerful but require a fair bit of setup and understanding."
"Maybe since the community size, I am not sure about how the community is fast."
"​V.3 was nice to get the tool going, but it was limited."
"V.3 was nice to get the tool going, but it was limited."
"The implementation process is quite complex and needs to be simplified and more automated."
"It requires enterprise integration improvements from the security, and audit perspective (AD integration etc.). Also, integration into existing BI tools is not present."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The open-source version of the product is free to use."
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Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business12
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise1
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Laravel PHP Framework?
I do not have any pricing associated with Laravel PHP Framework. Most of the features I use are free and come by default with Laravel.
What needs improvement with Laravel PHP Framework?
I would really love it if Laravel PHP Framework could, the same way Spring Boot allows for easy SOAP implementation, come with fast features and native features for SOAP implementations, specifical...
What is your primary use case for Laravel PHP Framework?
I use Laravel PHP Framework for most of my developments in e-commerce and FinTech solutions and banking solutions. When it comes to the initial setup of Laravel PHP Framework, I find it straightfor...
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Overview

 

Sample Customers

bugsnag, PhpStorm, LaraJobs, Vehikl
BBC, AutoTrack, Centroy, Cisco WebEx, Netrail Holding