stackstash

JavaScript vs PHP

JavaScript and PHP are free.

JavaScript logo: The language browsers run, and the language Node uses on the server.
JavaScript logo: The language browsers run, and the language Node uses on the server.

JavaScript

Free

The language browsers run, and the language Node uses on the server.

Try it

Pros of JavaScript

  • One language for the UI and the API

  • The libraries in this catalog mostly assume it

  • You can ship without a compile step

Cons of JavaScript

  • Loose types let mistakes wait until runtime

  • Older patterns and modern ones show up in the same codebase

PHP logo: The language behind WordPress and a huge share of the web.
PHP logo: The language behind WordPress and a huge share of the web.

PHP

Free

The language behind WordPress and a huge share of the web.

Try it

Pros of PHP

  • Cheap hosting is everywhere

  • Huge library of existing apps

  • Simple to get a page online

Cons of PHP

  • Older codebases can be messy

  • Less common in new startup stacks