Laravel and Symfony are two popular PHP frameworks, each with their mix of strengths and limitations. Instead of trying to decide which framework is more powerful, developers need to realize that they are better suited for different purposes and types of projects. Learning common use cases of these frameworks can help you better understand which one is more suitable for your unique project needs and make a more informed selection between Laravel vs Symfony. In this article, experts provide a detailed overview of two frameworks and their common use cases.
A brief overview of Laravel and Symfony
Before proceeding to the use cases, let’s briefly review both frameworks to better outline the difference between them. These may not be obvious at first glance, since Laravel and Symfony share many core characteristics: both are full-stack frameworks, both use PHP programming language, both follow model-view-controller (MVC) architectural patterns, and more. However, if we carefully compare these frameworks side by side, we can uncover many distinctions, for instance:
Philosophy and approach
Prioritizing ease-of-use, simplicity, and speed, Laravel has elegant syntax that makes it easier to read and maintain code, pre-set configurations that reduce writing boilerplate code, and a range of developer-friendly tools that automate common development tasks. In turn, Symfony promotes code modularity and reusability, which is achieved through its modular architecture and robust dependency management tool sets allowing for a clear separation of concerns, as well as customizable PHP components which can be reused in different apps.
Development speed
As mentioned earlier, fast enablement enablement is one of Laravel’s key advantages. Its built-in features, such as the Artisan CLI, Eloquent ORM, and Blade Template Engine, help teams optimize repetitive and time-consuming development tasks such as asset compilation, database management, and UI creation, streamlining the development process. Laravel’s simple syntax also contributes to developer productivity and speed.
Although Symfony also offers a range of automated tools for code and URL generation, debugging, and many other tasks, the framework typically requires more upfront configuration needed to integrate components and define their interactions within a specific app, which can extend overall development duration. On the other hand, as teams can repurpose Symfony components within a single app or even in multiple apps, the use of the framework can significantly contribute to delivery speed in large, complex projects.
App scalability
Both frameworks can be used to build scalable web solutions. Laravel provides tools such as caching and database optimization that can be used to quickly scale small and medium-sized applications. However, the integrated nature of Laravel’s opinionated architecture can make it more challenging to split apps into microservices. When it comes to enabling app scalability, Symfony is a more suitable option, since its modular architecture, advanced caching mechanisms, and support for microservices give developers complete control over how an app handles increased load.
Size of developer community
Although both frameworks are widely used among developers, Laravel is now more popular than Symfony. 64% of respondents to the State of PHP 2025 survey by JetBrains stated they regularly use Laravel, compared to 23% of those who use Symfony. Laravel also has 80,000+ stars on GitHub, compared to Symfony’s 30,000+ stars, which means it attracts increased attention from users. For companies, this can indicate that it’s easier to find developers experienced in Laravel than those skilled in Symfony and to accelerate their PHP project delivery speed, they should look for Laravel developers.
3 use cases for Laravel
Laravel is typically used for quickly creating small to mid-sized websites and apps, including MVPs used to validate business ideas. Here are several types of projects where Laravel is most suitable:
- CRUD web solutions
Create, Read, Update, and Delete (CRUD) are the four basic operations of any website or app, whether it’s a content management system or a social media platform. Building applications with standard CRUD functionality is one of the most common uses for Laravel, as the framework provides a powerful set of features that simplify the development of CRUD functionality, including Eloquent ORM, which simplifies the definition of relationships between database tables during the database design phase, and Artisan CLI, which provides commands to generate controllers and other foundational components required for CRUD operations.
- Basic ecommerce websites
Laravel can also empower the development of relatively simple ecommerce websites containing essential features such as on-site search, product browsing, and checkout. For example, Laravel’s Blade Template Engine can be used to create dynamic web pages with product listings, individual product pages, and checkout pages. Development teams can also leverage Laravel’s ecosystem of libraries specifically designed for building ecommerce functionalities, such as shopping carts and payment gateway integrations.
- Small and mid-sized internal business tools
Last but not least, Laravel can be used for quick and cost-effective development of small and middle-sized business apps, such as those designed for one specific function, whether it’s accounting, project, or inventory management. The framework allows development teams to avoid spending time on upfront setup and configurations and instead focus on building core business logic and other essential elements of an app.
3 use cases for Symfony
Symfony is often used for building large, multifunctional web apps, such as enterprise business systems designed to support complex workflows. Here are the examples of projects where it’s better to opt for the Symfony framework:
- Complex ecommerce platforms
As was mentioned, Symfony’s modular architecture allows web development teams to organize code into self-contained, reusable modules, which is critical for large ecommerce projects, as it allows for the effective creation of many different functionalities, such as product management, order processing, or payment processing. The framework is also suitable for developing large ecommerce platforms which are highly scalable and can handle high traffic, providing a smooth user experience even under high loads.
- Scalable microservices-based apps
Symfony’s modular architecture is ideal for developing web solutions based on the microservices architectural pattern. Teams can use Routing, HTTPFoundation, Dependency Injection, and other pre-made components from Symfony’s extensive library to efficiently create easy to maintain microservices for an app. Teams using Symfony can also encapsulate the logic, configuration, and resources of existing microservices within reusable units called bundles, which facilitates code reuse across other services within the same web solution or even across projects.
- Solutions for highly regulated industries
The framework’s modular architecture along with reusable components and packages can enhance readability of app code, which can make it easier to ensure that the solution complies with all relevant standards, which can be critical in highly-regulated industries, such as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and others. Symfony also provides robust tools for unit, functional, and other types of testing, which can also be vital in regulated industries where the cost of even a single bug or error can be high.
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Final thoughts
Choosing between Laravel and Symfony is a fundamental decision that many companies face when starting PHP projects. This choice can be daunting, as none of these frameworks can be considered objectively the best. Due to their specifics, strength, and limitations, both Laravel and Symfony can be useful in different business scenarios and web projects. To understand which one can better suit your type of project, you can study common use cases for both frameworks, which are listed in this article.
If you still cannot decide whether you should choose Laravel over Symfony or vice versa, consider turning to a PHP development company with experience in both frameworks. PHP experts can study your project requirements to help define the best suited technology for your unique needs and assist you in building a user-friendly, secure, and scalable app with its help.
