Which platform will you pick for your project in 2022? PHP or ASP.NET? That’s a complex question to answer. Isn’t it?
Knowing that both of the platforms possess great business values and are widely used, selecting one of them over the other one is challenging.
Both of the platforms can fulfill your needs but in different directions. If you are browsing the Internet, chances are that you have seen many websites built on both of those platforms. No doubt, each platform has its unique pillars and downfalls, but the focus should be: which is more beneficial for you?
Additionally, there is a demand to own a progressive web application that not only provides user engagement but also offers services in the development process. In this situation, most businesses hire .net programmers for their web application development, which provides most of the required features to create the application gradually.
Let’s take a deep dive into the basics, keys, and detailed comparison of these two popular technologies so you’ll be able to decide which one is best for you: PHP or ASP.NET!
A Brief Overview of PHP
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The Hypertext Processor, which is often known as PHP, was created to advance the web development process in 1994. PHP is used in web CMSs (content management systems) and frameworks by utilizing a command-line interface translated into HTML code.
Other than these programming functions, PHP is also used in drone technology and Web applications. Facebook, MailChimp, Yahoo! Wikipedia, and WordPress.com are some of the well-known companies that often use PHP as their programming language.
The Advantages of Using PHP
- Supports almost every database
- An open-source programming language
- No requirement exists for any additional code
- Increase the speed of custom Web application development
- Due to its independent nature, it works on many platforms
- Cost-effective in development and maintenance, along with high performance and reliability
A Brief Overview of ASP.NET
Developed in 2002, ASP.NET is a Microsoft technology that is widely known as a server-side web development framework. This Web framework provides the best possible guidance in creating web applications, dynamic web solutions, and web-based scripts.
ASP.NET is mainly written in server-side scripting languages, which include.NET and Visual Basic. ASP.NET works as a robust foundation for several websites like Microsoft, GoDaddy, StackOverflow, Visual Studio, DELL, TacoBell.com, Diply.com, WildTangent, and so much more.
The Advantages of Using ASP.NET
- Ideal server-side technology performs at an increasing pace rather than interpreting code.
- Desktop applications are simple to translate.
- It offers complete support for CSS, XML, and many other stable Web standards.
- Safety and protection can be guaranteed because it combines in-built window validation and per-app presentation.
- It enables you to benefit from selecting the scripting language that best suits your app.
- ASP.NET and HTML are combined to create smooth dynamic websites.
- With its common language runtime, every development process can be easily maintained and observed.
Comparison Table: PHP and ASP.NET
| COMPARISON | PHP | ASP.NET |
| First release | June 1995 | January 2002 |
| Community | 5 Million+ developers | 60,000+ developers |
| Support Company | Community and Zend Technologies | Microsoft technology |
| Code type | Interpreted code | Compiled code |
| Scalability | Horizontal | Vertical |
| Security | Less efficient in creating features. | It has a large number of in-built features. |
| Cost-effectiveness | Less maintenance cost | High hosting expenses |
| Solution | Small and medium size | Medium and large sizes. |
Why do they both perform so well in Web application development?
To build a reputation in the market, managing and maintaining a digital presence is very essential after the post-pandemic phase.
Yes, social media drives some attention, but building your brand image without creating your brand’s official website is certainly not possible, and if you do this, no factor can stop you from gaining digital popularity at the global level.
Starting from web design, programming, server-side and user-side scripting, network security tasks, and content creation, this is what web development is actually about.
Check also, How to make money as a php or asp.net web developer?
Here are some major factors where PHP and ASP.NET prove more suitable for web application development:
- To gain the user’s interest, quick loading speed on a website is very essential, so PHP and ASP.NET have the features to make it happen and provide better performance along with native optimization and caching services.
- Making it into this competitive era is not that simple. Therefore, most PHP development companies underline the cost of web development and time.
- The PHP and ASP.NET languages have active support from the community, which features experienced, skilled, and dedicated developers.
- Because of the decipherable syntax included in PHP and ASP.NET, the code can be customized and modified without facing any complications.
- They both prevent hackers from getting their hands on any type of unauthorized access to your web data by using some security strategies and validating user input.
Major Differences
PHP vs ASP.NET—speed & performance
A common fallacy about the speed and performance of a website is that the language you select to code describes your website’s overall performance. Interestingly, you will find a very thin line when you compare the performance of PHP and ASP.NET websites.
It is a fact that both languages contain several similar features like accessing filing systems, displaying pages on web browsers, and finding images. In both technologies, the database server, bandwidth, and the end user’s computer are some of the factors on which speed and performance are based.
PHP VS ASP.NET—Scalability and Support
Both of the languages are extremely scalable. If you want to work on building with Drupal (CMS), then PHP is the most suitable language for it. In the case of ASP.NET, you can manage a large volume of traffic. All you have to do is hire a skilled team of .NET developers for your successful project.
When the matter of support comes up, ASP.NET is always on the table! If you require guidance about development projects, then you should opt for ASP.NET. Microsoft Technology offers complete support packages for ASP.NET, while there is a small developer community that runs PHP.
PHP VS ASP.NET—Server
ASP.NET is available on Windows servers, while PHP is available on several platforms. That is, you can have more flexibility if you pick PHP over. NET.
Moreover, Microsoft is working hard to build ASP.NET available on different platforms and will become dedicated to open-source development strategies.
PHP VS ASP.NET—Security
Comparing both languages, ASP is overall more safe than PHP. ASP has several solid safety features. From the start, it has been created in such a way that it must include several preventive features that protect your data from attackers.
PHP does not have the same level of safety features built-in, but there are third-party solutions that can be utilized to increase security measures.
PHP VS ASP.NET—Learning difficulty
There’s no easy shortcut to learning any of the programming languages. Both PHP and ASP.NET are equally difficult to learn, but with equal endeavours and dedication, you can learn thoroughly either of the terminologies.
Additionally, ASP demands a higher level of expertise compared to PHP. If you are starting from the base, it will take a longer time to become skilled in .NET but it will all be worth it eventually.
PHP VS ASP.NET—Code libraries and Robust frameworks
In terms of code libraries and robust frameworks, both technologies contain so many options to choose from. However, ASP gets the benefit here, as it has a greater number of reliable and developed options to choose from.
PHP does have several options, but its low-quality developed code libraries and frameworks are certainly of low quality compared to those of ASP.NET.
check also, JavaScript vs python: which is better?
PHP VS ASP.NET—Expense
With ASP.NET, developing applications can turn out to be more expensive than developing with PHP technology. The reason behind this is that ASP requires significant tools and software, whose licenses are costly.
On the other hand, PHP is an open-source language, which makes it comparatively less expensive to use for developing applications. Furthermore, there is one extra factor to consider: If ASP.NET requires less time, then the labor expense is easily greater than the ASP.NET license.
PHP VS ASP.NET—Fixing Problems
PHP works like magic when it comes to handling errors. Whenever you develop a Web application, you generally face several errors or bugs. The question is, how will you manage to overcome those errors that arise at the time of completing the project?
If you select the PHP framework to fix your errors, you might find it getting entangled and reloading to help developers start things over. Moreover, an issue with one single request will never get complicated with another, which means working on multiple requests simultaneously is possible.
When you use ASP.NET, you will find the source of the error easily and the way to get rid of that error, but for that, you will require assistance from an extensive community.
PHP VS ASP.NET—Tools and Editors
Experts have observed that rather than implementing a full-fledged Integrated Development Environment, PHP developers mostly work on text editors like VIM and Notepad++. When you choose to work with an IDE while using PHP technology, you are guaranteed to get solid support from other editors like Eclipse, which is available at no cost.
Moreover, PHP web development is simple to understand as it includes a few keystrokes of compiled code that you need to work upon. Whereas ASP.NET is anchored by a wide range of IDEs but it requires to be combined with Microsoft Visual Studio. Also, it is partially free but contains sufficient features.
PHP VS ASP.NET—Popular Websites
| Websites created by PHP | Websites created by ASP.NET |
| Microsoft | |
| MailChimp | GoDaddy |
| Wikipedia | Visual Studio |
| WordPress.com | StackOverflow |
| Flickr | TacoBell.com |
| Tumblr | Diply.com |
| Yahoo! | DELL |
| iStockPhoto | WildTangent |
Check also, Java Vs JavaScript: Which Is Better?
The Decision Factor
ASP.NET and PHP, are both technologies with their unique pros and cons. What you have to do as an individual or as a company is to highlight those from a different point of view. Further, make sure to distinguish between your requirements in business and technical aspects.
The final decision is always determined as per the company’s or individual’s sources and highlighted requirements like scalability, security, rapid performance, smooth functionality, ability to fix errors, seamless integration, and lastly, cost-effectiveness.
Determine the needs you require in the development of your Web application, and you will know what to choose.
