Laravel Vs Codeigniter: Which is the Better Framework in 2022?


Some web development tools and technologies are so powerful and popular that they succeed in withstanding the competition from new contenders without hassles. Take the case of PHP. Even though it has completed more than two decades in this sector, it has not lost its ground by a big margin. Nowadays, most PHP developers make use of frameworks and CMS solutions based on it. While there are several PHP frameworks out there, CodeIgniter and Laravel lead the pack. 

Choosing the right contender among the duo

Both Laravel and CodeIgniter are very capable web development tools powered by PHP, but picking between the two can be far from easy. Both have useful features, have a huge online community, and are used by thousands of businesses worldwide. However, you should learn the basics about both frameworks and compare the features well to figure out which one fits your bill the best.

The basics of Laravel

Developed by Taylor Otwell, Laravel is one versatile open-source PHP framework. This is based on the much-touted model-view-controller architecture. It also borrows some components from another popular PHP framework, Symfony. Laravel was designed to overcome the limitations of the existing PHP framework, and this is a reason the developers often prefer it over others. It ships with many modules and components that help reduce development time. To leverage the advanced feature of Laravel, it is advisable to seek the services of a veteran Laravel web application development company.

The basics of Codeigniter

CodeIgniter is known as an influential minimalistic framework powered by PHP. It is ideal for developing functional web development applications. Generating dynamic PHP-powered websites is a good option. It liberates developers from relying on the MVC pattern. It also scores well on security and data encryption fronts. 

Core features and advantages of using CodeIgniter

  • It deploys a session management module
  • It has robust data encryption features
  • XSS filtering and enhanced security levels
  • It supports data paging
  • A light framework with minimal footprint
  • It generates Search engine friendly URLs
  • It enjoys active community support
  • It supports a wide range of third-party plugins

CodeIgniter is used to make many kinds of web applications. However, it is ideal for developing functional e-commerce websites. 

Core features and advantages of using Laravel

  • Supreme quality session control
  • It comes with an Inbuilt caching mechanism
  • There is a Built-in authentication tool
  • Good integration with third-party libraries
  • Comes with an auto-loading feature
  • Offers good support for the top DBMS platforms like My SQL and SQL Server.
  • It ships with powerful Artisan CLI
  • The framework has Blade templating engine

Laravel is so flexible and user-friendly that it is being used by thousands of companies, including start-ups and big companies. However, to extract the most out of Laravel, you have to hire a suitable Laravel website development agency.

So, what are the differences and similarities between the two frameworks?

There are several similarities between these two frameworks, and there are notable differences too. 

  • CodeIgniter does not enable ORM, but Laravel enables the developers to utilize eloquent ORM.
  • Laravel is fortified with embedded modularity characteristics, but CodeIgniter requires developers to use modular extensions.
  • Laravel is like a full-stack framework, while CodeIgniter is minimalistic. 
  • Laravel comes with a powerful Blade templating engine, while CodeIgniter developers have to use Smarty-which is a third-party templating engine.
  • CodeIgniter lacks inbuilt authentication traits, but Laravel has authentication class traits.
  • Laravel ships with a unit testing tool embedded, but CodeIgniter lacks it.

When it comes to database support, both frameworks perform almost on par. The same can be said about online support and available resources. 

So, which framework to choose for your projects?

It is quite clear that both the frameworks come with their shares of advantages and limitations, and you should choose one according to your project requirements. 

You can choose CodeIgniter when:

  • You can do this with a minimalistic framework that does not ship with many inbuilt tools.
  • You want to develop robust e-commerce sites.
  • You have a plan to develop scalable, simple websites.
  • Speed of development is a key factor.

You can opt for Laravel when:

  • You want to develop complex and large web applications.
  • You want to develop a database-driven web app.
  • You want to create a SaaS-based web application.
  • Developing scalable applications is a priority.

Choosing the right PHP developers 

Whether you choose CodeIgniter or Laravel, it would be necessary to choose the right developer. There are certain things to analyse here. You can hire a capable Laravel framework development company or a freelance developer. You may also choose to hire an agency offering these services through outsourcing. No matter which method you choose, there will be so many contenders. 

When choosing Laravel app development agencies, compare the contenders using the following factors:

  • You should opt for an agency that is a veteran player in the PHP development sector. It is even better if it specialises in any one framework. While new agencies may also offer good services, you will stay on the safe side by hiring a seasoned contender.
  • It is necessary to check the portfolio of an agency offering Laravel or CodeIgniter packages. Check out the websites and applications developed by the entity carefully. Find out if the websites and apps are secure, offer great performance, and feature work as promised. 
  • Before you sign up for the services of an agency offering Laravel or CodeIgniter development services, find out details on its service terms and charges. By hiring freelance developers, you can save a good amount. However, picking a suitable outsourcing agency offering such services can also be useful in this regard. 
  • It is better if you talk about customization and flexibility before hiring any such company. You may want a multilingual PHP app or want a website with database linking. The agency hired should be able to address such needs. 
  • Pay attention to the response you get from agencies offering Laravel or CodeIgniter development services. Top-notch and veteran entities in this arena will resolve client queries with patience. They may offer you a detailed consultation session to address all your queries properly.

Summing it up

 

It is prudent to keep your approach flexible when picking between Laravel or CodeIgniter and any other PHP framework. Hiring a suitable PHP development agency is what you need to do.