"There's no reason to reinvent the wheel."
Not only is reinventing something that already exists time ill spent, it's also usually ill-fated. The same can be said with web development. This is why using a framework can be vital to a project's success.
A framework "is designed to support the development of web applications including web services, web resources and web APIs. Web frameworks aim to alleviate the overhead associated with common activities performed in web development."
So with that, let's look at 20 useful PHP frameworks available on Envato Market.
1. xCRUD - Data Management System (PHP CRUD)
CRUD stands for Create-Read-Update-Delete. Much like a full CMS (Content Management System), managing your data with xCRUD - Data Management System (PHP CRUD) will save you lots of time and resources, as any good framework should.
This offers many different ways to interact with your data and "scaffolding", even for those who are not full programmers.
This CRUD framework uses PHP 5.x and MySQL 5.x and has a lot to offer:
easily integrates with any script, framework or CMS
table joining, subselects, relations
multi-instance system
single-line syntax
and more!
With Bootstrap support and a simple WordPress plugin for simple integration, xCRUD - Data Management System (PHP CRUD) is waiting for you to build something amazing with it.
2. Smart Forms
The sky's the limit with the Smart Forms framework.
Using the latest in web technologies, you'll be able to create clean, professional, responsive forms.
Create multiple steps and use modal popup forms and so much more:
AJAX PHP forms and CAPTCHA
40+ starter form templates
date and time picker
UI sliders
and more!
This form framework is regularly updated, and with the conditional logic, branching, and data export, you may never need another online form web solution.
Smart Forms is smart.
3. Laravel CMS - CRUD Builder - Administrator
Laravel CMS - CRUD Builder - Administrator provides the framework you need to build a CRUD web application CMS.
Transform your MySQL database!
"Introducing, The Real framework environment to Build Backend Administrator & Frontend for real Internet / Intranet web application with tons of additional CMS plugin possibilities."
Features include:
user management and CRUD builder
built in login, users, and groups
front-end and back-end template
Bootstrap 3 based
and more!
Use the Laravel CMS - CRUD Builder - Administrator to build your next Internet or Intranet web app—quicker and easier than ever before.
4. Real Estate Agency Portal
Building a real estate website doesn't have to be difficult. In fact, using the Real Estate Agency Portal offers a framework that can lead to an impressive online real estate portal.
There are several features that you'll enjoy here:
unique menu and page builder with seven color styles
visual energy efficient module
customizable fields
easy to translate
and more!
This offers more than just a way for realtors to display properties, but a full-featured means for listings to be submitted with an ecommerce tie-in.
The Real Estate Agency Portal uses the CodeIgniter framework and is overflowing with real estate agency portal features.
5. Just Forms Full
Just Forms Full is... well... full!
It's an online form framework to help you create a classic, multistep, pop up from menu, pop up from bottom, modal, without footer, or without header form—with client side and server side validation.
This highly compatible responsive form framework works with Bootstrap 3 and includes:
SMTP, Sendmail, and MailChimp support
multistep, modal, and popup forms
110+ AJAX PHP forms
100+ form templates
and more!
Considering the price, Just Forms Full is well worth every penny—especially considering how much time this form framework will save.
6. Contact Framework
There are several contact form frameworks in this roundup, but each instance does a good job of setting itself apart from the crowded field of contact forms (see what I did there?).
The Contact Framework is clean—both visually and code-wise.
Features include:
option to use many shortcodes
multiple upload choices
3 built-in themes
easy to update
and more!
The Contact Framework codebase is super clean without sacrificing features. This contact form framework has plenty of punch.
7. PHP Search Engine
Quickly and easily integrate a search engine with the PHP Search Engine script.
Search the web, images, video, news, and a whole lot more!
It includes three widgets, live pagination without a server load, and a lot of other fantastic features:
search for .doc, .xls, .pdf, and others
highlight searched keyword
customizable design
safe search feature
and more!
PHP Search Engine is the PHP, Bootstrap integrated search engine you've been searching for.
8. HelloVideo - Video CMS
Quickly and easily spin-up a video-centric CMS with HelloVideo - Video CMS.
Unlimited videos, posts, pages, and more!
Features include:
expand usage with PayPal and social login plugins
fully responsive and retina-ready
web stats and analytics
Stripe integration
and more!
HelloVideo - Video CMS is more than just a sexy video CMS; it's also a video membership platform.
9. Easy PHP Contact Form Script
Easily integrate a PHP contact form using the Easy PHP Contact Form Script.
This is another contact form framework worth your attention.
With an option for SMTP authentication or PHP mail, other features you'll find include:
customizable auto-responder email
text and image Captcha
file attachment upload
location detection
and more!
With the four included themes and its ease of use, Easy PHP Contact Form Script is an easy choice.
10. Contact Framework Pro
Contact Framework Pro is the pro version of the aforementioned Contact Framework.
So what's the difference?
The pro version includes the normal contact form and the modal, multistep, side left, side right, and side in contact form frameworks.
If you're considering Contact Framework, ante up with Contact Framework Pro. It's worth it.
11. API Framework
If you know your PHP and OOP knowledge, the API Framework is an excellent resource to begin developing your own API.
This API can be used not just for websites, but for Android and iOS applications as well.
It features:
create XML, JSON, TXT, CSV, or Print_r types, or create your own
object oriented and structured code
modify URL request structure
create multiple API versions
and more!
The API Framework is the perfect starting point for your own API.
12. Frameworx - Bootstrap Powered PHP MySQLi Framework
The Frameworx - Bootstrap Powered PHP MySQLi Framework is an excellent way to develop and launch your next PHP and MySQLi web application.
Using Bootstrap and jQuery, there's hardly a better foundation for your PHP web app.
This PHP web framework features:
easy to build with and well documented
self-registration with email validation
manage all users and accounts
searchable public profiles
and more!
For a faster and easier web application development process, use the Frameworx - Bootstrap Powered PHP MySQLi Framework.
13. Blaze - PHP Framework for Small to Medium Websites
Light a fire under your next business or personal microsite with the Blaze - PHP Framework for Small to Medium Websites.
For microsites, landing pages, and small businesses, there's no need to use a full-featured CMS when there's something this hot.
Some of the features include:
performance boosts
plugin architecture
automatic updates
debug mode
and more!
With its super quick setup, asset compiling (Less, Sass, and more) and minification (JavaScript, CoffeeScript, and more), you can easily see why Blaze - PHP Framework for Small to Medium Websites is blazing fast from start to finish.
14. Flatpanel Backend Framework
The Flatpanel Backend Framework adds another layer between you and WordPress—making control panels to run your own PHP code without disturbing WordPress.
With this back-end framework, you can:
use it with plugins and themes
build your own control panels
add JavaScript and CSS files
replace the dashboard
and more!
The Flatpanel Backend Framework implements server-side validation for every element using callbacks.
15. Codeigniter CMS - CRUD Builder - Administrator
Using Codeigniter CMS - CRUD Builder - Administrator is the key to building a CRUD web application CMS quickly and easily.
Features include:
sort, search, and download grid options
form and grid layout editor
easy to customize
export to Excel
and more!
Use the Codeigniter CMS - CRUD Builder - Administrator to build a back-end and front-end web application with many CMS plugin possibilities.
16. MySQL Database Auto Framework
Take your MySQL database to the next level with the MySQL Database Auto Framework.
"It enables you to avoid writing and re-writing all the repetitive SQL queries and all the fetch arrays, help protect you against SQL injections, and offer you a very robust, but simple way to interact with your MySQL 5 databases."
Here are a few features:
fully object oriented and uses one class file per database table
all functions centralized
prevent SQL injections
fully documented
and more!
MySQL Database Auto Framework supports MySQL5, uses MySQLi, and is ready to rock.
17. LivelyCart - A JQuery PHP Store / Shop
Here's a lively storefront framework that will have you up and running with your ecommerce website using PayPal and orders via email.
LivelyCart - A JQuery PHP Store / Shop uses the CodeIgniter software framework with both Twitter Bootstrap 2 and Twitter Bootstrap 3 themes.
Features include:
unlimited categories and products
a fully customizable shopping cart
product thumbnails
store admin
and much more!
Even with JavaScript disabled, this responsive ecommerce framework is ready to serve your online customers.
If you're looking outside the usual ecommerce solutions, you need to look at LivelyCart - A JQuery PHP Store / Shop.
18. BusinessApp - Ionic iOS/Android Full Application with Powerful CMS
Everyone wants an app for their business or organization, but not everyone needs an app that is looking to solve a problem.
The BusinessApp - Ionic iOS/Android Full Application with Powerful CMS is the kind of solution that will fit most any typical organization's need for a mobile app.
This framework runs on both iOS and Android and delivers several things:
CMS blog: WordPress and Tumblr
social feeds and social shares
image and video galleries
push notifications
search enabled
and much more!
Built with and for some of the most popular technologies, the BusinessApp - Ionic iOS/Android Full Application with Powerful CMS may be the key to getting an app for your organization.
19. MelonHTML5 - Metro UI
Bring the tiles of the Windows 8 Metro UI to the web with the MelonHTML5 - Metro UI.
This is a fully responsive, one-page website using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.
Features include:
uses clean object oriented PHP framework
full HTML5 and CSS3 animations
smart page content caching
responsive UI
and more!
You can easily have a sleek looking, fully customizable one-page website using MelonHTML5 - Metro UI.
20. Ninja Media Script - Viral Fun Media Sharing Site
Creating a media sharing site doesn't get much easier than this.
The Ninja Media Script - Viral Fun Media Sharing Site is a full-featured, out-of-the-box framework.
You'll find plenty of features:
supports YouTube, Vimeo, Vine, GIF, JPG, and PNG
easy to install and customize
user accounts and points
email and social login
and more!
Not only does the Ninja Media Script - Viral Fun Media Sharing Site pack a lot of punch with features, it's good looking, too.
Conclusion
As you can clearly see by this list, PHP frameworks come in many different shapes and sizes. No matter what kind of web project you are facing, there is more than likely some kind of solution or combination of solutions waiting in the Envato Market that will help.
If you're looking to get into more of the nitty-gritty aspects of PHP frameworks, the Envato Tuts+ code tutorials are a great place to dig around.
What are some of your favorite frameworks?