How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Best PHP development companies at a glance
Polcode is the top pick for PHP-first product development, because it has built PHP systems since 2006 with Symfony and Laravel depth. ScienceSoft suits large enterprise work, while OpenXcell and Unified Infotech suit tighter budgets at under $25 and $25 to $49 per hour. Toptal fits teams that want one vetted developer fast.
Key takeaways
- PHP development rates in 2026 run from under $25 to $99 per hour on Clutch and DesignRush profiles, with most established firms at $50 to $99 per hour.
- No firm here publishes a fixed project price, so the hourly rate and the project minimum are the numbers that decide the budget.
- Laravel and Symfony depth matters more than the hourly rate, because a team that knows the framework ships faster and with fewer bugs.
- US and Western European firms cost more per hour but suit regulated work, while offshore teams suit long builds on a fixed budget.
- Ask for the developers by name and check their framework experience before you sign, since the sales team and the delivery team are rarely the same people.
Best PHP development companies compared
| Company | Best for | Starting price | Minimum project |
| Polcode | PHP-first product development | $50 to $99 per hour | $10,000 |
| IT Craft | Complex software products | $50 to $99 per hour | $10,000 |
| ScienceSoft | Enterprise PHP and modernisation | $50 to $99 per hour | Quote |
| Toptal | One vetted PHP developer fast | Quote, varies by developer | Quote |
| Unified Infotech | Web and digital product builds | $25 to $49 per hour | $25,000 |
| Chop Dawg | Startups and mid-market apps | $25 to $49 per hour | $15,000 |
| OpenXcell | Budget PHP and web builds | Under $25 per hour | Quote |
| PopArt Studio | Laravel web applications | $50 to $99 per hour | $5,000 |
How much does a PHP development company cost in 2026?
PHP development companies charge $25 to $150 per hour or more, and the top 50 PHP firms on DesignRush charge an average of $58 per hour. A simple PHP website or portal takes 1 to 2 weeks, while a moderately complex application takes 3 to 6 months, according to 2026 directory guides. That puts a simple build at $5,000 to $15,000 and a complex platform at $50,000 to $150,000 or more. Location drives the rate: US and Western European firms usually charge $50 to $99 per hour or more, while South Asian and Eastern European teams charge $25 to $49 per hour. The project minimum matters as much as the rate, since a firm with a $25,000 minimum will not take a $8,000 job at any hourly rate. Always get a written estimate with the team, the hours and the delivery dates stated.
Laravel or Symfony: which framework should your PHP company know?
Laravel suits most web applications, because it ships fast with built-in authentication, queues, caching and a large package ecosystem. Symfony suits large enterprise systems, because its components are strict, testable and built for long maintenance. A good PHP company knows both and picks by the job, not by habit. Ask which framework the team would use for your project and why, and ask to see a live project built on it. If the firm only knows one framework, check that it matches your existing codebase, since a rewrite costs more than the build itself. Also ask about PHP version support, because PHP 8 brings real performance gains and older versions stop receiving security fixes. A team that still builds on PHP 7 is a warning sign.
Should you hire a PHP agency or a freelance PHP developer?
Hire an agency when the project needs more than one skill: backend, frontend, design, testing and DevOps in one team. Agencies also cover holidays, sickness and staff turnover, so the project does not stop when one developer leaves. Hire a freelancer when the job is small, well defined and short, such as a bug fix or a single feature. Toptal sits between the two: a vetted network that supplies one developer or a small team without the overhead of a full agency. The risk with freelancers is continuity, since the knowledge leaves with the person. The risk with agencies is cost, since you pay for project management and account handling on top of the code. For a product that will live for years, an agency or a long-term dedicated team is the safer choice.
What should you check before hiring a PHP development company?
Check the framework depth first, then the portfolio. Look for live PHP projects in your industry and ask which framework version they run. Ask who will actually write the code: the senior developers on the sales call, or a junior team assigned after signing. Ask how the firm tests its work, since automated tests and code review separate professional teams from cheap ones. Ask about security practices, because PHP applications are a common target and the firm should patch dependencies and follow secure coding standards. Ask for the contract terms on intellectual property, since you should own the code. Finally, ask for two client references and call them, and ask what went wrong on the project, not just what went well.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Polcode | PHP-first product development with Symfony and Laravel depth | $50 to $99 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and DesignRush, checked 13 Nov 2026 | No free plan; project scoping by quote |
 IT Craft | Complex software products and enterprise web applications | $50 to $99 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and DesignRush, checked 13 Nov 2026 | No free plan; project scoping by quote |
 ScienceSoft | Enterprise PHP applications and legacy modernisation | $50 to $99 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and GoodFirms, checked 13 Nov 2026 | No free plan; project scoping by quote |
 Toptal | Hiring one vetted PHP developer or a small team quickly | Quote; developer rates vary by engagement, third-party reported, checked 13 Nov 2026 | No free plan; matching process with a trial period |
 Unified Infotech | Web and digital product builds for startups, SMEs and enterprises | $25 to $49 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and GoodFirms, checked 13 Nov 2026 | No free plan; project scoping by quote |
 Chop Dawg | Startups and mid-market teams building web and mobile apps | $25 to $49 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and GoodFirms, checked 13 Nov 2026 | No free plan; fixed-rate monthly pricing available |
 OpenXcell | Budget PHP and web builds for mid-market teams | Under $25 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and GoodFirms, checked 13 Nov 2026 | No free plan; project scoping by quote |
 PopArt Studio | Laravel web applications and full-service digital builds | $50 to $99 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch, checked 13 Nov 2026 | No free plan; project scoping by quote |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The 8 best PHP development companies compared PHP development companies
#1
Polcode
Best for: PHP-first product development with Symfony and Laravel depth
Visit polcode.com
Starting price$50 to $99 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and DesignRush, checked 13 Nov 2026
Free planNo free plan; project scoping by quote
Polcode is a Polish software house founded in 2006 as a small group of PHP developers, and PHP is still the foundation of its services. The firm has more than 50 mid-to-senior PHP developers and has pioneered Symfony development since 2007 and Laravel programming since 2012, which gives it unusual depth in both frameworks. It builds enterprise solutions, eCommerce platforms and content management systems, and it supports the PHP Foundation, which signals real commitment to the language rather than a marketing claim.
What we like- PHP-first since 2006, more than 50 mid-to-senior PHP developers, Symfony since 2007 and Laravel since 2012, supports the PHP Foundation, 1,200 plus projects
Watch out for- The $10,000 project minimum excludes very small jobs, and the $50 to $99 hourly rate sits above budget offshore teams
#2
IT Craft
Best for: Complex software products and enterprise web applications
Visit itcraft.pl
Starting price$50 to $99 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and DesignRush, checked 13 Nov 2026
Free planNo free plan; project scoping by quote
IT Craft is a software house founded in 2001 with more than 330 people and 2,250 plus projects, and it builds complex software products rather than simple websites. Its PHP work sits inside full-cycle product delivery, covering backend, frontend, mobile and DevOps, with Vue.js, Angular, Node.js, PHP, Java and .NET in the stack. The firm is based in Berlin with delivery teams in Poland, which suits Western European buyers who want nearshore working hours and English-speaking teams.
What we like- Founded in 2001, 330 plus people, 2,250 plus projects, full-cycle product delivery, Berlin base with Polish delivery teams
Watch out for- Enterprise focus means small projects get less attention, and the hourly rate is at the top of the mid-market range
#3ScienceSoft
Best for: Enterprise PHP applications and legacy modernisation4.7/5 on
G2 (4 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit scnsoft.com
Starting price$50 to $99 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and GoodFirms, checked 13 Nov 2026
Free planNo free plan; project scoping by quote
ScienceSoft is a US-based IT consulting and software development company founded in 1989, with 750 plus specialists and more than 4,300 completed projects. Its PHP practice covers custom web applications, enterprise systems, legacy modernisation and API integration, with Laravel, Symfony and Zend in the stack and 19 years of PHP development behind it. The firm is ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified, an AWS Advanced Tier partner and a Microsoft partner since 2008, which suits regulated industries such as healthcare and finance.
What we like- In business since 1989, 750 plus specialists, 4,300 plus projects, 19 years in PHP development, ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified, Laravel, Symfony and Zend depth
Watch out for- Custom quote only, so budgeting takes longer, and the firm is built for large projects rather than small builds
#4Toptal
Best for: Hiring one vetted PHP developer or a small team quickly4.7/5 on
G2 (270 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit toptal.com
Starting priceQuote; developer rates vary by engagement, third-party reported, checked 13 Nov 2026
Free planNo free plan; matching process with a trial period
Toptal is a talent network that matches businesses with freelance developers, and its PHP service covers planning, architecture, backend development, API work and cloud deployment. The network claims only 3 percent of candidates pass its vetting, which includes technical tests and interviews, and it is ranked as a leading matching service for PHP talent. The model suits a buyer who knows what to build and needs one strong PHP developer, or a small team, without hiring a full agency.
What we like- Claims the top 3 percent of applicants pass vetting, fast matching, flexible team size, no long-term agency overhead, Trustpilot 4.8 and G2 4.7 ratings reported
Watch out for- It is a talent network, not a full-service agency, so project management and design fall to the buyer
Starting price$25 to $49 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and GoodFirms, checked 13 Nov 2026
Free planNo free plan; project scoping by quote
Unified Infotech is a digital transformation company founded in 2010 with more than 250 people, 300 plus clients and offices in New York and Kolkata. Its PHP work sits inside full-cycle delivery: bespoke web development, mobile applications, SaaS platforms, cloud engineering and data analytics. The firm serves Fortune 500 companies, multinationals, SMEs and startups, and it holds 64 verified client reviews averaging 4.6 stars on Clutch. The $25 to $49 hourly rate makes it one of the cheaper options here for a full product build, and the New York office gives US buyers a local contact.
What we like- Founded in 2010, 250 plus people, 300 plus clients, offices in New York and Kolkata, full-cycle delivery from design to mobile and SaaS
Watch out for- The $25,000 project minimum excludes smaller builds, and the lower hourly rate reflects offshore delivery teams
#6
Chop Dawg
Best for: Startups and mid-market teams building web and mobile apps
Visit chopdawg.com
Starting price$25 to $49 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and GoodFirms, checked 13 Nov 2026
Free planNo free plan; fixed-rate monthly pricing available
Chop Dawg is a Philadelphia-based app development agency founded in 2009 that has launched more than 500 products for startups, enterprises, nonprofits, universities and government agencies. Its clients include NASA, the US Navy, Wawa, LA Gear, Six Flags, Hilton and Siemens, and it holds a 5.0 rating on GoodFirms. The firm offers fixed-rate monthly pricing with clear contracts, which suits buyers who want cost certainty rather than open-ended hourly billing.
What we like- Founded in 2009, 500 plus products launched, clients include NASA, the US Navy, Hilton and Siemens, fixed-rate monthly pricing, 5.0 rating on GoodFirms
Watch out for- Engagements run $15,000 to $350,000, so very small jobs do not fit, and the team is US-based with premium overhead
Starting priceUnder $25 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch and GoodFirms, checked 13 Nov 2026
Free planNo free plan; project scoping by quote
OpenXcell is a custom software development company founded in 2009 with 250 to 999 people and offices in Las Vegas and Ahmedabad. It builds custom business applications, portals, internal CRMs, dashboards and workflow tools, with forward-deployed engineers who work inside the client's existing systems. The hourly rate under $25 is the lowest on this list, which suits a buyer with a tight budget and a long build. The firm holds a 4.9 rating on GoodFirms with 76 reviews.
What we like- Lowest hourly rate here, 250 to 999 people, founded in 2009, offices in Las Vegas and Ahmedabad, custom business applications and SaaS integrations
Watch out for- The lowest rate reflects offshore delivery, and the firm is less known for enterprise-grade process than the premium names here
Starting price$50 to $99 per hour, third-party reported from Clutch, checked 13 Nov 2026
Free planNo free plan; project scoping by quote
PopArt Studio is a Chicago-based full-service digital agency founded in 2010 with more than 200 people and offices in Chicago, Belgrade and Novi Sad. Its PHP work focuses on Laravel web applications, custom web development, UX and UI, branding and SEO, with 13,000 plus projects reported and 97 verified reviews on Clutch. The $5,000 project minimum is the lowest among the premium-rate firms here, which makes it accessible for a mid-market web application.
What we like- Founded in 2010, 200 plus people, 13,000 plus projects reported, $5,000 project minimum, offices in Chicago, Belgrade and Novi Sad, Laravel depth
Watch out for- Full-service scope means PHP is one service among many, and the hourly rate sits above budget offshore teams
How we chose these companies
We compared 2026 directory rankings, Clutch and GoodFirms profiles and vendor sites, and kept only firms with public evidence of PHP work. We favoured firms with a stated hourly rate band and a project minimum, because those two numbers decide the budget. We checked each firm's official website by search on 13 Nov 2026 and confirmed the domain. Rates marked third-party reported come from Clutch, GoodFirms and DesignRush profiles read in 2026, not from a page we opened directly, so confirm them with the firm before budgeting. We did not test any firm's work ourselves.
How to pick the right PHP development company
Match the firm to the project size first. Under $10,000 points to PopArt Studio or a freelancer. From $10,000 to $25,000 points to Polcode, IT Craft or Chop Dawg. Above $25,000 opens Unified Infotech, ScienceSoft and the enterprise firms. Match the framework second: Laravel work suits Polcode and PopArt Studio, enterprise Symfony work suits Polcode and ScienceSoft, and a single developer suits Toptal. Ask for the team by name, the framework version, the testing process and the code ownership terms in writing. Get a fixed-price quote with milestones where possible, and keep 10 to 20 percent of the budget for fixes after launch.
Frequently asked questions
Is PHP still a good choice for web development in 2026?
Yes, PHP still powers a large share of the web, including WordPress, Laravel applications and enterprise backends. Modern PHP 8 is fast, and frameworks such as Laravel and Symfony give teams structure, security and testing tools. PHP suits content sites, eCommerce, portals, SaaS products and internal business systems. It is less suited to real-time applications and heavy data processing, where Node.js or Python may fit better.
How long does it take to build a PHP web application?
A simple PHP website or portal takes 1 to 2 weeks, while a moderately complex application takes 3 to 6 months, according to 2026 directory guides. A custom platform with integrations, payments and user roles usually takes 4 to 9 months. The biggest delays come from unclear requirements and late content, not from coding.
What is the difference between Laravel and Symfony?
Laravel is a full-stack framework built for speed, with built-in authentication, queues, caching and a large package ecosystem. Symfony is a set of reusable components built for strict, testable enterprise systems with long maintenance lives. Laravel suits most web applications and startups. Symfony suits large systems, complex business rules and teams that need strict architecture.
Should I hire a PHP company in the US or offshore?
US firms cost $50 to $99 per hour or more and suit regulated work, close collaboration and same-time-zone delivery. Offshore teams cost $25 to $49 per hour and suit long builds on a fixed budget. Eastern European teams offer a middle ground on price and time zone. The real cost is the total project price and the rework rate, not the hourly figure.
Who owns the code my PHP company writes?
You should own it, but only if the contract says so. Ask for written intellectual property assignment, access to the code repository from day one, and documentation on how to run and deploy the application. Avoid firms that keep the code on their own servers without access, since that locks you in.
Sources we checked (11)
- https://www.esparkinfo.com/blog/top-php-development-companies
- https://www.designrush.com/agency/software-development/php?page=14
- https://www.goodfirms.co/research/languages/top-software-developers/php
- https://www.scnsoft.com/software-development/php
- https://www.toptal.com/custom-software-development/process/technology/php-development/
- http://polcode.com/technologies/php-development/
- https://www.itcraft.pl/
- https://www.unifiedinfotech.net/about/
- https://www.chopdawg.com/
- http://www.openxcell.com/
- https://www.popwebdesign.net
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.