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PHPBrew

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted

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PHPBrew's own site

What PHPBrew is

PHPBrew is free software for building and managing multiple PHP versions on Linux, macOS, and self-hosted systems. It can place versions in a user’s home directory, including installations that do not need root permission, or in a system-wide environment. Users can temporarily select a version or change the default, with project version pinning and automatic switching supported. Bash and zsh integration is provided, while setup instructions also cover fish. Build variants simplify PHP configuration, including PDO, MySQL, SQLite, debug, and fpm options. PHPBrew installs extensions from PHP source or PECL and creates configuration files for them. It can compile Apache modules separately for each PHP version and provides PHP-FPM commands when fpm is enabled. Library lookup supports Homebrew, MacPorts, Debian, Ubuntu, or custom paths. Development packages are required, and unsupported older PHP builds may fail.

Who it suits

It suits developers who need several PHP versions locally, including users working without root access. It also fits projects needing shell integration, version pinning, extensions, or CI/CD use.

What it does well

  • Free MIT-licensed software
  • Installs versions in a home directory
  • Supports project pinning and automatic switching
  • Builds extensions from source or PECL
  • Provides PHP-FPM management commands

What to know first

  • Requires development packages to build PHP
  • Older unsupported PHP builds may fail
  • PHP-FPM requires the fpm build variant

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
PHPBrewFree software under the MIT licenseFree

As github.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

PHPBrew focuses on local, flexible PHP version management across supported Unix-like environments. Its build, extension, shell, and FPM controls suit developers maintaining several configurations.

Facts from PHPBrew's own pages

Apache modules
It can compile Apache PHP modules and keep them separate by PHP version. · phpbrew.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
Build requirements
Users need development packages installed to build PHP. · phpbrew.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
Build variants
It simplifies PHP configure options into variants and supports builds with options such as PDO, MySQL, SQLite, and debug. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Download
The installation instructions offer a downloadable phpbrew.phar release and show how to place it in a directory on PATH. · phpbrew.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
Extensions
It installs PHP extensions from PHP source or PECL and creates configuration files to enable installed extensions. · phpbrew.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
Integrations
Its library lookup prefixes include Homebrew, MacPorts, Debian, Ubuntu, or a custom path. · phpbrew.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
Intended users
The project describes use for building and managing multiple PHP versions locally, including without root permission when installing in a home directory. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Older PHP versions
The project says builds of PHP versions unsupported by PHP's official support may not succeed and related issues will not be fixed. · phpbrew.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
PHP FPM
It provides commands to start, stop, inspect, test, and edit PHP-FPM, provided the PHP build has the fpm variant enabled. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Purpose
PHPBrew builds and installs multiple PHP versions in a user's home directory. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Shell support
The setup instructions cover bash, zsh, and fish shell configuration. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
System wide use
PHPBrew can install multiple PHP versions into a system wide environment as well as a user's home directory. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Version switching
It can temporarily use a PHP version or switch the default version, and integrates with bash and zsh. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026

Where PHPBrew stands on Freedom251

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