This era is an era of change and evolution. And in this ever-changing world of tech, new programming languages emerge almost every year. Here, it won’t be wrong to think that PHP now only remains in the backdrop, close to being ignored.

However, it’s still the quiet powerhouse behind nearly 75% of active websites in 2025, according to one report by W3Techs. But the real question isn’t “Is PHP still relevant?” — it’s “Which PHP framework makes it shine the brightest?”

That’s where two long-standing rivals come into play: CakePHP and Laravel. One is the classic baker of fast, no-fuss web apps. The other is the modern craftsman, designed for ambitious, scalable, and future-ready projects.

As businesses look forward to rapid success and growth, choosing between CakePHP and Laravel has never been more important. Let’s explore which one truly deserves the crown in 2025 — and why the answer might depend on what you’re building next. 

What is CakePHP: The Basics 

Launched in 2005, CakePHP was among the first frameworks that brought structure to PHP development. It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern, separating logic, data, and design for better organization.

CakePHP emphasizes “convention over configuration.” This means developers don’t have to waste time setting up endless files or configurations. It’s the framework that handles most of that automatically. It’s often used for small to medium projects, internal dashboards, and fast prototypes that value simplicity and stability the most.

In 2025, CakePHP is known for: 

• Fast setup and low learning curve. 
• Built-in security tools (CSRF protection, form validation, and input sanitization). 
• Excellent performance for smaller applications. 
• Convention over configuration approach. 
• Stable backward compatibility ensures smooth upgrades between versions. 
• Strong ORM (Object Relational Mapping) simplifies database interactions. 

Pros and Cons of CakePHP 

What is Laravel: The Basics 

Laravel is another PHP-based framework, introduced in 2011 by Taylor Otwell. Since then, it has quickly become the go-to framework for PHP developers. Its flexibility, ecosystem, and elegant syntax make it one of the most popular frameworks worldwide.

In fact, according to one survey by JetBrains, 61% of PHP developers actively used Laravel for their projects in 2024 — indicating its dominance in modern web development.

Laravel also follows MVC, but it adds powerful tools like: 

• Artisan CLI for automation 
• Eloquent ORM for handling databases 
• Blade templating engine for clean UI logic 
• Built-in API support and scalability features 

Laravel suits medium to large applications, especially where growth, performance, and modern features are priorities. 

Pros and Cons of Laravel 

CakePHP vs Laravel: Key Comparison  

Let’s explore how these frameworks differ across key development areas — from performance to ease of use. This will help in making the right pick for your next software development project. 

1. Performance and Speed 

CakePHP’s lighter architecture gives it a speed advantage, particularly in smaller projects. It features a minimal setup, which means pages load quickly, making it great for internal tools or simple apps.

Laravel, on the other hand, gives you more features and flexibility, but it can be a bit heavier to set up. For big projects, its built-in tools for caching, task queues, and performance tuning help keep everything fast and running smoothly, even as your app grows. 

2. Learning Curve and Ease of Use 

CakePHP is built for simplicity. Due to its less-steep learning curve, developers can start coding almost instantly after installation. Moreover, the “convention over configuration” model further aids in the framework’s ease of use.

Laravel offers more freedom, but that comes with a slightly steeper learning curve. Beginners may find it a bit complex, but once learned and mastered, it’s incredibly helpful and rewarding. 

3. Features and Functionality 

CakePHP focuses on simplicity and speed, with its Bake console for quick code generation and strong built-in validation. It makes the framework perfect for small to mid-sized business applications.

Laravel offers advanced tools like authentication, APIs, queues, and Blade templating for scalable, dynamic apps. Therefore, Laravel is ideal for complex systems. 

4. Community and Ecosystem 

CakePHP’s community is smaller but dedicated. Updates for the framework are stable and focused on maintaining simplicity rather than adding complexity.

Laravel has a massive global community. It’s updated frequently, with countless third-party packages, tutorials, and plugins available. 

5. Scalability and Future Readiness 

CakePHP handles moderate growth but may need manual optimization for large or enterprise-level workloads.

Laravel is designed with scalability in mind. It supports microservices, cloud integration, and modern architecture easily. 

Which One Should You Choose? 

The answer depends on your project’s size, budget, and future goals.

Choose CakePHP if: 

• You need a simple, quick-to-build app. 
• Your project scope is small or medium-sized. 
• You prefer straightforward, structured coding. 

Choose Laravel if: 

• You’re building something scalable, like an enterprise app or an API. 
• You need modern features like queues, real-time events, and APIs. 
• You value community support and long-term maintainability. 

Summing Up

Both CakePHP and Laravel prove that PHP is still popular in 2025. CakePHP wins when you need speed, simplicity, and quick results. Laravel shines when your goal is long-term growth, scalability, and modern features.

The right choice depends on your project’s size, goals, and team skills. For instance, if you want something fast and lean, go with CakePHP. If you’re planning to build big and grow fast, Laravel is the smarter pick.

Frequently Asked Questions