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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
19
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 June 2026, in the PHP Frameworks category, the mindshare of Laravel PHP Framework is 28.2%, up from 25.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zend Framework is 16.8%, up from 14.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
PHP Frameworks Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Laravel PHP Framework28.2%
Zend Framework16.8%
Other55.0%
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

"Laravel PHP Framework brings in fast development for developers or for a development team, and from idea to the actual working solution, Laravel reduces the development timeline, as opposed to other frameworks like Java Spring Boot."
"Laravel PHP Framework's best features include the ORM model, which allows me to create database tables by writing schema files or using ORM without needing to write queries in simple SQL format."
"It keeps up-to-date with major releases of common tools, like PHP and SQL databases."
"Laravel PHP Framework has positively impacted my organization by allowing us to switch from developing the same project using Java, which took much longer, to Laravel and PHP, saving a lot of time."
"Everything in Laravel PHP Framework is perfectly tailored."
"Laravel PHP Framework has positively impacted my organization because our main framework of choice is Laravel."
"When I come to Laravel PHP Framework, it compiles most of the items, most of the development required items and compiles it as a single toolbox."
"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."
"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

"Laravel PHP Framework can be improved in terms of speed. It is not really fast when you need to use it for a long batch process; it takes a lot of time."
"​V.3 was nice to get the tool going, but it was limited."
"One thing that is not so good about this solution is that the implementation process is quite complex."
"The implementation process is quite complex and needs to be simplified and more automated."
"I did not find Laravel PHP Framework to be AI compatible because for API, Python is more comfortable, and I think it is not working well with AI models currently."
"Laravel PHP Framework needs to be constantly updated and modernized because it is now considered legacy, and there are many more modern programming languages that are coming and becoming more famous, easier, and more attractive for today's programmers."
"Maybe since the community size, I am not sure about how the community is fast."
"Currently, AI features are not available in Laravel PHP Framework, and it is not interactive with AI models very well."
"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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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
14%
Construction Company
9%
Healthcare Company
7%
University
7%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business16
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise3
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Laravel PHP Framework?
My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for Laravel PHP Framework is that it is completely free and open source, so it is zero cost.
What needs improvement with Laravel PHP Framework?
Currently, AI features are not available in Laravel PHP Framework, and it is not interactive with AI models very well. If it improves for AI models, then it will be the best for us. Regarding Larav...
What is your primary use case for Laravel PHP Framework?
My main use case for Laravel PHP Framework is developing web applications. I have recently developed an admin panel for a gaming app using Laravel PHP Framework. I have implemented some business lo...
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Overview

 

Sample Customers

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