Is PHP dead? What’s really happening with PHP in 2025

When people ask is PHP dead, a server-side scripting language that powers over 75% of websites with known backend technologies, including WordPress, Facebook’s early version, and Wikipedia. Also known as Hypertext Preprocessor, it’s not gone—it’s just no longer the shiny new thing. The truth is, PHP isn’t dying. It’s aging like a good wine: quieter, more stable, and still running most of the web you use every day.

But here’s the real question: why does everyone keep asking if it’s dead? Because Python, a versatile programming language that’s grown rapidly in web development, data science, and automation is everywhere now. You see Python in AI tools, startup apps, and new backend projects. It’s clean, readable, and loved by beginners. But that doesn’t mean PHP got kicked out. Most companies don’t pick one over the other—they use both. WordPress still runs on PHP. Shopify’s backend? PHP. Even big techs keep PHP around because it works, it’s cheap to host, and rewriting it would cost millions.

And let’s not forget backend development, the invisible engine behind every website that handles data, user logins, and server logic. PHP is still one of the most common tools for it. You don’t need to be the hottest language to be the most used. Think of it like a pickup truck: not the fastest, not the fanciest, but still the one you trust to haul heavy loads every day.

What’s changed? The bar’s higher. Back in 2010, you could throw together a PHP site with a few files and call it done. Now, you need security, speed, APIs, and scalability. Modern PHP—thanks to Laravel, Symfony, and Composer—does all that. It’s not the same PHP your uncle used in 2005. It’s faster, safer, and smarter.

So if you’re wondering whether to learn PHP in 2025, the answer isn’t yes or no—it’s when. If you’re fixing an old site, building a small business site, or working with WordPress, PHP is still your best friend. If you’re starting fresh in a startup or AI-heavy project, Python might be the better first pick. But you’ll still run into PHP everywhere. And knowing both? That’s the real advantage.

Below, you’ll find real breakdowns of how PHP stacks up against Python, what companies actually use today, and why PHP isn’t going anywhere—even if the hype has moved on.