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Pedro M.
PHP developer Pedro M.

Senior software developer / team lead with passion for IT since early youth.  ...

$45/hour | Technologies:
  • PHP
  • Python
  • JavaScript
  • css
  • MySQl
  • jQuery
Swetang K.
PHP developer Swetang K.

I am senior Software Engineer, proficient in WordPress, WooCommerce, Angular, Javascript, jQuery, Opencart, MySQL, GIT, ...

45 USD/hour | Technologies:
  • PHP
  • Javascript
  • WordPress
  • Angular 7
  • CSS
  • HTML, HTML5
Nicolas M.
PHP developer Nicolas M.

Nicolas is a Senior Web and Mobile Developer specialized in Wordpress, PHP, React and ...

Technologies:
  • React.js
  • React Native
  • Wordpress
  • CSS
  • HTML
  • JavaScript

Currently available PHP Developers

Pedro M.
Senior full-stack developer (PHP, Python, JavaScript, MySQL, CSS) Pedro M. Campinas, SP, Brasil 15 years $45/hour

Senior software developer / team lead with passion for IT since early youth. He has led multiple teams, developed in many environments, from startups to major, SOx-regulated companies.  Show more

  • #PHP
  • #Python
  • #css
Swetang K.
Web developer Swetang K. Hayes, United Kingdom 6 years 45 USD/hour

I am senior Software Engineer, proficient in WordPress, WooCommerce, Angular, Javascript, jQuery, Opencart, MySQL, GIT, svn. I believe in quality of work, dedication, self learning and upskilling, teamwork as well as client on the 1st place approach. Show more

  • #PHP
  • #WordPress
  • #Angular 7
Nicolas M.
Senior Software Developer Nicolas M. Brazil 5+ years

Nicolas is a Senior Web and Mobile Developer specialized in Wordpress, PHP, React and React Native. He has also an experience with technologies such HTML, CSS, Javascript, MySQL, GraphQL, TypeScript or Angular.js. Show more

  • #React.js
  • #Wordpress
  • #CSS
Ji J.
Senior Blockchain developer Ji J. Hong Kong, SAR 5 years

I have been working as a web developer for 10 years. I am a full-stack web software engineer .I'm a professional who is easy to talk to and easy to work with. Sometimes I make jokes and Show more

  • #Laravel
  • #PHP
  • #MySQL
Gary L.
Senior PHP & Javascript Developer Gary L. Remotely (meetings possible) 9 Years $45/hour

I am a Senior Web Developer specializing in both back-end and frontend development, experienced with all stages of the development cycle for dynamic web projects such as PHP, MEAN and MERN Stack and well-versed in numerous programming languages Show more

  • #PHP
  • #Laravel
  • #Symfony
Veronica D.
Backend PHP developer Veronica D. Remotely (meetings possible) 10+ Years

I am a results-oriented, resourceful and problem-solving software engineer professional specializing in large scale software design and development for a wide variety of companies. I have a high level of involvement in the advancement of the industry and Show more

  • #PHP
  • #Java/J2EE
  • #HTML
Jamie G.
PHP Full Stack Developer Jamie G. Remotely (meetings possible) 8 Years

Experienced PHP Full Stack Developer with demonstrable proficiency in an array of software and programming languages, developed through studies and extensive self-learning. Outcome-focused with a keen eye for detail; seeks to foster greater efficiency and ROI by refining Show more

  • #Ajax
  • #CSS3
  • #HTML5
Alireza G.
Senior React / PHP developer Alireza G. Vilnius, Lithuania 5 years

I have more than 13 years of experience in Software Development, both web and mobile application. From 2018, I enjoy to use ReactJS and React Native in Front End and PHP in the backend. I also have self-studies and Show more

  • #React.js
  • #PHP
  • #HTML
Lucas C.
Senior Software Engineer Lucas C. Brasil 6+ years

Passionate about PHP and Software Architecture. Experienced in: PHP 7, Symfony 2, Laravel, Eloquent, Docker, Github CI, AWS, Blade, Doctrine, Docker, Git, Platform.sh and MySQL, WordPress, HTML5, Javascript, jQuery, Twig Template, SASS, React.js., Python, Flask and Show more

  • #PHP
  • #Laravel
  • #HTML
Povilas B.
PHP Developer Povilas B. Litva 4+ years

Participant of web development projects in teams across EU as freelancer economist. Studying Economics and Finance, coding web applications as freelancer. Awarded several economics and business contests prizes, adhering to ECMA6 and PSR1-17 guidelines. At the moment looking for Show more

  • #PHP
  • #jQuery
  • #MySQL
Leonardo Ardila Osorio
Senior Shopify developer Leonardo Leonardo Ardila Osorio Colombia 8

Leonardo’s programming skills are enhanced by his curiosity and imagination. The goal of his work isn’t just to complete a project. He wants to understand the process inside and out and maximize efficiency, dreaming of better Show more

  • #Node.js
  • #Vue 2
  • #Vue 3
Andrey P.
Senior Wordpress & PHP developer Andrey P. Kharkov, Ukraine 4 years

Andrey is a senior developer with 5 years of software engineering experience. His tech stack includes: Wordpress, PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, MySQL, jQuery, Elementor and others.   Show more

  • #Wordpress
  • #PHP
  • #jQuery
Nikola P.
PHP Web Developer & Web Design Lecturer Nikola P. Croatia 10+ years

I code for fun. I am still fascinated with the fact that you can write a couple of lines of code and the computer will print results on the screen. My last job was to work as a Web developer Show more

  • #PHP
  • #Wordpress
  • #Magento
Janis T.
Janis T. Riga, Latvia 6 years

I am a skilled web developer specializing in digital marketing and have 6+ years of experience with WordPress website development. That includes full-stack development of custom themes and plugins, technical SEO audits and improvements, multi-language and multi-site Show more

  • #WordPress
  • #PHP
  • #HTML
Johnny P.
Johnny P. Prague, Czech Republic 13 years $65/hour

Show more

  • #Symfony
  • #PHP
  • #Twig

Find PHP developers and programmers

Looking for PHP developers? With our AI sourcing you can find up to 50 PHP developers who match your project, test their skills and hire them, all in one place and with no commission on their rate.

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With senior resources from EliteBrains, we are able to drive our digital harmonization agenda: Migration of different reporting platforms to QlikSense analytics and Harmonization of different digital detailing systems into Veeva CLM.

Jiri Matousek, Head of CRM at Hexal AG Jiri Matousek, Head of CRM at Hexal AG
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EliteBrains provided us with a top PHP developer who has been working for us for more than 4 years. Jan became indispensable part of our team within few weeks.

Dave Etchells, CEO at Imaging-resource.com Dave Etchells, CEO at Imaging-resource.com
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Each time we are in a need of new software developer, we just contact the guys from EliteBrains. Their network is huge so they provide us with demanded sources very quickly.

Martin Svach, CEO at Starkys club Martin Svach, CEO at Starkys club

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Cheating on online hiring tests more than doubled in 2025. See the latest data on candidate fraud, interview fraud and AI in recruitment. More

29. 10. 2026 . 7 min read

  • #IT Recruiters
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Grok vs ChatGPT Comparison 2026: How Many People Use Each One, Market Share, and Growth

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ChatGPT has roughly 8x as many users as Grok. But Grok's user base grew almost 95% in a single quarter - nearly triple ChatGPT's pace. Here's how the two AI giants compare in 2026. More

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Find PHP developers and programmers

Looking for PHP developers? With our AI sourcing you can find up to 50 PHP developers who match your project, test their skills and hire them, all in one place and with no commission on their rate.

PHP runs about 3 out of 4 websites whose server language is known, from small company sites to large online shops. That means there are a lot of PHP developers and programmers to choose from, but their skills vary a lot. A developer who builds WordPress themes is not the same as one who builds a Laravel app used by thousands of people every day.

This page helps you find the right type of PHP developer for your project, check their skills before you hire and avoid the most common mistakes. Already have a PHP developer in mind? You can skip the search and use EliteBrains only to test their skills, sign the contract and pay them.

Want PHP rates by country, salaries and hiring tips?

Read our guide to hiring PHP developers →

Which PHP developer do you need?

Most PHP work today is done with a framework or a platform. Ask for the one your project uses.

Pick the PHP developer for your project
Your projectLook forSkills to ask about
A web app or SaaS productLaravel developerLaravel, Eloquent, queues, APIs, PHPUnit or Pest
A large business systemSymfony developerSymfony, Doctrine, clean architecture, testing
A company website or blogWordPress developerThemes, plugins, speed, security updates
An online shopE-commerce PHP developerWooCommerce, Magento (Adobe Commerce), Shopware, payments
An older PHP appSenior PHP developer for upgradesMoving from PHP 5 or 7 to PHP 8, refactoring, tests
A product with a modern front endFull-stack PHP developerLaravel + Vue or React, Inertia.js

Not sure what your project is built with? Ask whoever built it, or look for a file called composer.json in the code. It lists the framework, for example laravel/framework or symfony. If it says symfony, you can hire a Symfony developer with many years of Symfony work behind them.

How senior should your PHP developer be?

  • Junior (0–2 years): small changes and bug fixes, with someone more senior checking the work.
  • Mid-level (3–5 years): new features in an app that already works. A good fit for most teams.
  • Senior (5+ years): building a new app from scratch, upgrading old code, or working alone without a technical lead.

If you don’t have anyone technical on your team, hire a senior developer. They cost more per hour, but they need less help and make fewer expensive mistakes.

What to check before you hire a PHP programmer

A CV full of PHP keywords doesn’t tell you much. Almost every PHP programmer lists Laravel, MySQL and Git. These six things show you who can really do the work:

  • Current PHP. They work with PHP 8 and know what changed since PHP 7 (types, enums, readonly properties).
  • The right framework. Real projects in the framework you use, not just a course.
  • Databases. Good SQL, MySQL or PostgreSQL, and knowing how to make slow queries fast.
  • Security. Safe handling of user input, passwords and logins.
  • Tests and Git. They write tests and work in a team with pull requests.
  • A small real task. One hour of real work tells you more than any CV. Our AI skills assessment does this for $14.90 per candidate.

Also watch how they talk about your project. Good PHP developers ask questions before they promise anything, explain their choices in simple words and say so when they don’t know something.

Affordable PHP developers without the risk

PHP developers are some of the most affordable developers to hire, because there are so many of them. That also makes quality uneven. The cheapest developer is rarely the best deal. Test a few candidates, then hire the one who passes, wherever they live.

What you pay depends mostly on where the developer lives and how senior they are. A senior freelance PHP developer typically charges $60–$120 an hour in the US and $30–$70 in Eastern Europe and Latin America.

A cheap developer who writes messy or unsafe code often costs more in the end, because someone has to fix or rewrite the work later. To keep costs low without that risk:

  • Test before you hire. A short task shows quality much faster than an interview.
  • Look beyond your own country. Many great PHP developers live in Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia. Just make sure your working hours overlap for a few hours a day.
  • Start small. Begin with one small paid project before you agree on months of work.
  • Avoid hidden markups. Many marketplaces add 15–50% on top of the developer’s rate. With EliteBrains you pay the developer’s own rate.

What PHP developers build

PHP is behind a large part of the web. Typical projects for a PHP developer are:

  • Online shops: WooCommerce, Magento (Adobe Commerce) or Shopware stores, payments and stock systems
  • Company websites and blogs: WordPress sites, custom themes and plugins
  • SaaS products and web apps: customer portals, booking systems, dashboards, usually built with Laravel or Symfony
  • APIs: the server behind a mobile app or a JavaScript front end
  • Internal tools: admin panels, reports, connections between your systems
  • Upgrades of older apps: moving old PHP code to PHP 8 and a modern framework

When you talk to candidates, tell them which of these your project is and ask them to show you something similar they built. A developer who has already built an online shop or a booking system will be faster and make fewer mistakes on yours.

PHP vs Node.js vs Python: is PHP right for your project?

All three are good choices for the back end. The best one is usually the one your project already uses.

PHP, Node.js and Python side by side
PHPNode.jsPython
Best forWebsites, online shops, CMS, classic web appsReal-time apps, APIs, JavaScript teamsData, AI features, automation
Popular toolsLaravel, Symfony, WordPressExpress, NestJS, Next.jsDjango, FastAPI
HostingCheap and available everywhereEasy on modern cloud platformsEasy on modern cloud platforms
Developers to hire fromVery many, often affordableVery manyMany, more expensive for AI work

Pick PHP if you run WordPress or an online shop, already have a PHP app, or want to build a web app fast with Laravel. Pick Node.js if your team already writes JavaScript or you need real-time features. For more options, see our backend developers page.

PHP interview questions

These questions show quickly how much real PHP experience someone has. You don’t need to be a developer to use them: compare what you hear with the right column. Good answers are specific and come with examples from real projects.

Questions to ask a PHP developer and what a good answer shows
QuestionA good answer shows
What changed in PHP 8 that you use every day?They work with current PHP: types, enums, match, named arguments, readonly properties.
How do you stop SQL injection?Prepared statements or the framework’s query builder, never user input glued into SQL.
How do you store passwords?password_hash() and password_verify(), never plain text or MD5.
A page is slow. How do you find out why?They check database queries first (indexes, too many queries in a loop), then caching.
When would you use Laravel and when Symfony?They know both have strengths and pick based on the project, not only habit.
How do you test your code?PHPUnit or Pest, tests for the important parts, and running them before every release.
What is Composer and why does it matter?It manages packages and versions, so the app works the same on every computer.
How do you update an old PHP 5 or 7 app?Small steps, tests first, tools like Rector, and checking libraries that are no longer updated.

Example tasks to test PHP developers

A short real task tells you more than any interview. Pick one that matches your project and give 1–2 hours:

  1. Laravel API: build an endpoint that lists and adds products, with input checks and one test.
  2. Slow query: here is a page that loads in 8 seconds. Find out why and make it fast.
  3. WordPress bug: a plugin breaks the checkout page. Find the cause and fix it safely.

With the EliteBrains AI skills assessment you can send tasks like these to all your candidates. Our AI checks the answers and the code, so you only interview the ones who pass.

When you look at the result, check four things: does it work, is the code easy to read, did they write a test, and can they explain what they did and why. If a task takes more than an hour, pay for it. It’s fair, and good developers are more likely to say yes.

Common mistakes when hiring PHP programmers

Most bad PHP hires come from the same few mistakes. Avoid these and you avoid most of the risk:

  • Hiring for old PHP. A lot of PHP experience out there is from PHP 5. Ask about PHP 8 and look at recent code.
  • Not checking the framework. A good WordPress developer is not automatically a good Laravel developer, and the other way round.
  • Choosing on price alone. PHP has many cheap developers. Test first, then compare prices.
  • Skipping security. Ask how they handle user input, passwords and updates. Many PHP security problems come from careless code.
  • No real task. A CV and a nice talk are not enough. One hour of real work shows the difference.

FAQ

On talent marketplaces, job boards and in developer communities, or with EliteBrains, where our AI finds PHP developers who match your project and you test them before you hire.

They build the server side of websites and web apps: the logic, the database and the APIs, usually with Laravel, Symfony or WordPress.

Yes. Many PHP developers work as freelancers or contractors and are happy to start part-time and grow into full-time work.

No. EliteBrains acts as Contractor of Record for $199 a month and handles the contract and payments.

Yes. PHP is one of the most used languages on the web, so there are many PHP developers in every region. The hard part is finding good ones, which is why testing matters.

A WordPress developer is a PHP developer who specializes in WordPress themes and plugins. For a custom web app, look for Laravel or Symfony experience instead.

Many can. Look for a full-stack PHP developer with Vue or React experience if you want one person for the whole app.

You get up to 50 matching candidates right after you describe the role. Most companies test the best ones and sign a contract within one to two weeks.

Are you looking for a specific skill set?

The EliteBrains network consists of developers whose software development skills are listed below:

Our Developers

Need a help with choosing the right person?
Let us know. We’ll contact you.

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