Today, there are several options for quickly building websites. However, PHP remains the undisputed champion when it comes to building anything substantial and highly customized. PHP has been in use for a while. The acronym, which today stands for Hypertext Preprocessor (formerly known as Personal Home Page), was first used by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994 and has since become widely recognized.

While some PHP professionals choose more recent frameworks like Silex, Slim, Lithium, and Laravel, others prefer the simplicity of long-time favorites like CodeIgniter, Zend Framework, CakePHP, Symfony, and Yii.

However, CodeIgniter and Laravel were the only giants engaged in the final conflict.

Laravel and CodeIgniter are industry standards in the field of PHP application development (even though CodeIgniter may seem like an outdated option to many).

So, which option should you take as a business owner? Web developers very likely have preferences if you ask them. And this could be because, depending on the needs of your project, both of these frameworks can be as valuable.

In this article, we'll explore the differences between Laravel and CodeIgniter and compare them based on functionality and other comparable criteria. Having this knowledge on hand will help you comprehend the benefits and drawbacks of both frameworks, allowing you to choose between Laravel application development and codeigniter application development while considering all variables.

What is Laravel?

Laravel is an open-source PHP framework commonly used to create online apps and assist organizations in growing digitally. Laravel's source code is accessible on GitHub and follows the model-view-controller design. Laravel is a popular PHP framework because it adheres to strict language conventions and rules.

Laravel has grown in popularity in recent years as more developers use it to create simplified web applications.

Applications created using the Laravel framework are extraordinarily scalable and have simple codebases. Laravel has a large collection of web development tools, reusable components, object-relational mapping, and command line interfaces.

What is CodeIgniter?

CodeIgniter is a PHP framework that can be used to create fully-fledged, dynamic websites. It comes with a multitude of libraries for doing frequent and redundant work. To access the array of libraries, the CodeIgniter framework employs a simple interface and logical structure.

Database and session management are excellent in CodeIgniter applications. Full-page caching, customized URL routing,  form and data validation, and error logging are all features of CodeIgniter.

Statistics show that 119,000 websites currently utilize CodeIgniter, while 6,45,000 use Laravel. The Mail and Guardian, Nissan, Buffer, and Creditflux are all popular CodeIgniter websites. Alpha coders, Watchseries, Laracast, and Barchart, among others, are prominent Laravel-built websites.

Let us now evaluate the two.

The Reasons Why Laravel Framework is Winning over CodeIgniter?

1. Unit Testing:

PHPUnit is a built-in unit testing feature in Laravel. PHPUnit enables developers to extensively test application code.

There is no built-in unit testing capability in CodeIgniter. To assure code quality and app effectiveness, CodeIgniter framework developers need to use third-party unit testing techniques.

2. Modularity features:

Laravel includes modules that allow developers to break down large projects into smaller modules. It allows designers to work on them independently.  The CodeIgniter framework does not include built-in components, unlike Laravel. Developers must utilize additional features to create and manage unique packages.

3. Authentication:

Developers in CodeIgniter must create custom CodeIgniter extensions for user authentication and permission.

On the other side, Laravel offers the authentication class functionality for carrying out web app authentication and permission.

4. HTTP routes:

Developers can design custom HTTP routes using the Laravel framework. Developers can also specify a unique URL for each HTTP route.

To create HTTP routes, CodeIgniter employs the response and request mechanism. Paths must be completed by developers to permit data transmission.

5. DBMS support:

Among the databases supported by the Laravel framework are IBM, DB2, Oracle, MYSQL, JDBC, and PostgreSQL OrientDB.

CodeIgniter also supports the aforementioned database management systems, except for IBM and JDBC. MongoDB and Microsoft BI  are also accessible by the CodeIgniter framework.

Why Should You Choose Laravel: The Advantages

6. Exceptional Security:

Numerous cyberattacks take place each year. You need frameworks that secure your web apps in such circumstances. Utilizing Laravel for web app development has several benefits, but one of the most important is its capacity for providing top-notch security. Laravel itself is a safe framework that does not enable malware or security issues to access the online app. This means that your web app development code is secure. If you use Laravel, your web app is safe from unintentional and covert SQL injections.

7. Easy Unit Testing:

Basic unit testing, a sort of testing in which each component of your web application is analyzed to ensure that no portion of your website is damaged, is also supported by the Laravel framework for web development. Before going live, unit testing ensures that your web application is free of errors and problems. You now have a flawless, high-performing application for your users.

8. Database Migration:

Database migrations make it simple for developers to reverse database changes. Developers can conveniently exchange databases with other developers in the project by using migrations.

This was not previously feasible, however many Laravel developers created similar features. Databases are designed and maintained appropriately without having to rebuild them thanks to the pairing of migrations. It helps professional developers on your web app save a lot of time.

9. Enhanced Performance:

The amazing web app performance delivered by Laravel is another persuasive argument in favor of its adoption. On occasion, certain features and functions may have an effect on how well a site performs. However, Laravel offers a number of tools to aid developers in enhancing the functionality of their web apps. When creating online apps, Laravel must use tools like Memcached and Redis since they make it simple for programmers to boost web app speed. That indicates you have the best-performance web app with Laravel.

10. Future-ready Apps:

Every day, the Laravel framework evolves. We first saw the growing popularity of the Laravel PHP framework. This tendency enables developers, businesses, and even the entire Laravel community to deliver remarkable functions that keep on top of technological necessities. This permits you to obtain future-ready apps despite shifting technological requirements.

11. Easy Creating Multi-lingual Apps:

Among the many advantages of choosing Laravel development services is the ability to create multilingual applications. Laravel is an excellent choice for businesses wishing to expand their presence across multiple nations and languages. Using the Laravel framework, you can easily and rapidly create a web application in several languages.

12. Supports Multiple Architectural Patterns:

Laravel supports numerous architectural patterns out of the box, not only MVC. It has LTS support and is significantly more stable than other frameworks because it is largely made up of the greatest components from frameworks such as Symfony. The most recent version of Laravel is intended for the development of enterprise-grade software.

13. Faster Time-to-market:

Today, every organization is striving to accelerate its digital transformation, which is why it is critical to select the correct framework for your web application. Using the Laravel framework speeds up web application development, allowing you to go live considerably faster than with alternative frameworks.

The Bottom line

Laravel was released five years after the CodeIgniter framework. Laravel is an advanced PHP framework that makes upgrades and integration effortless. Laravel has the advantage over CodeIgniter in the Laravel versus CodeIgniter match because of the sleek and advanced features it offers.

However, businesses must a hire dedicated laravel developer based on the needs of the project. Furthermore, to make an informed decision, they must thoroughly analyze the benefits and downsides of each PHP framework.