What is PhpStorm used for?

PhpStorm is a JetBrains IDE for PHP and web projects, combining PHP, JavaScript and SQL editing with debugging and framework support. It is a good fit for developing Laravel or Symfony applications, maintaining legacy PHP codebases, and WordPress plugin and theme development.

Yes. PhpStorm has a free plan. Commercial IDE with a free 30-day trial; subscriptions are listed on JetBrains' purchase page.

Is PhpStorm open source?

No. PhpStorm is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to PhpStorm include Visual Studio Code, code-server and VSCodium.

What are some alternatives to PhpStorm?

PhpStorm competes with Cursor, Sublime Text and Nova. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source PhpStorm alternatives.

PhpStorm: features, pricing and alternatives

About PhpStorm

PhpStorm is a commercial IDE from JetBrains for PHP development. It is aimed at developers building web applications and includes support for PHP, JavaScript, TypeScript and SQL without requiring additional installation.

The IDE provides intelligent code editing, project and symbol navigation, and refactoring across an entire codebase, including help with moving to newer PHP versions and frameworks. It recognizes popular technologies such as Laravel, Blade, Symfony, WordPress and Tailwind CSS, and integrates with Git. AI features can draw on models from several providers or a local model, with next edit suggestions and a choice between JetBrains credits and your own subscriptions.

PhpStorm is proprietary software. The vendor offers a free 30-day trial that does not require a credit card, and subscriptions are sold through its buy page.

Key features

Smart PHP code completion and editing
Codebase-wide refactoring tools
Laravel, Symfony and WordPress support
JavaScript, TypeScript and SQL built in
Navigation across files and symbol usages
Git integration and AI assistance

Good fit for

→Developing Laravel or Symfony applications
→Maintaining legacy PHP codebases
→WordPress plugin and theme development

Tags: ide; php; jetbrains; laravel; symfony; wordpress; web-development

PhpStorm: questions and answers

What is PhpStorm used for?: PhpStorm is a JetBrains IDE for PHP and web projects, combining PHP, JavaScript and SQL editing with debugging and framework support. It is a good fit for developing Laravel or Symfony applications, maintaining legacy PHP codebases, and WordPress plugin and theme development.
Is PhpStorm free?: Yes. PhpStorm has a free plan. Commercial IDE with a free 30-day trial; subscriptions are listed on JetBrains' purchase page.
Is PhpStorm open source?: No. PhpStorm is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to PhpStorm include Visual Studio Code, code-server and VSCodium.
What are some alternatives to PhpStorm?: PhpStorm competes with Cursor, Sublime Text and Nova. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source PhpStorm alternatives.