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Best PHP IDEs in 2026

PHP IDEs can support different parts of writing, testing, and debugging PHP projects. Compared on PHP refactoring, unit testing tools, and Xdebug debugging, these entries also cover database tools, Docker support, remote development, and supported platforms. Free-plan availability and “Paid from” help you consider cost as well as development setup. PaizaCloud Cloud IDE, ICEcoder, and Visual Studio Code are among the entries shown. Check which listed capabilities fit your projects and the environments where you work, whether you need database access, container support, or ways to develop remotely.

  1. 1

    Geany

    Free plan Open source LinuxMacWindows

    Geany offers a compact set of editing and terminal features, with plugin support and packages for its listed platforms. Developers who rely on multi-cursor editing should note that it is not included.

    9.0 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    Apache NetBeans

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Apache NetBeans combines a code editor and tools with a modular Swing application framework, at no cost under the Apache License.

    7.6 Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    Bluefish

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Bluefish offers broad language support, project settings, remote-file access, and integrations in a free desktop editor.

    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  4. 4

    CodeLite

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    CodeLite combines a broad set of language and workflow tools in a free, cross-platform IDE. Check the separate Git requirement and configure language servers where needed.

    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  5. 5

    ICEcoder

    Free plan AndroidAPILinux+4

    ICEcoder offers browser-based editing and supporting development tools at no listed cost. Its server prerequisites and lack of user security isolation are important constraints.

    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    IntelliJ IDEA

    Free plan APIExtensionLinux+2

    IntelliJ IDEA combines Java and Kotlin coding assistance with debugging, build, testing, and version-control integrations.

    7.5 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
  7. 7

    Eclipse PHP Development Tools

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    PDT brings PHP editing, debugging, profiling, testing, and remote-project features into an Eclipse framework. It is free, but requires Java and some included code may have different terms.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  8. 8

    Kate

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Kate combines text editing, programming features and plugins at no listed cost. Choose stable packages rather than nightly builds if you want to avoid versions that may be unstable or incomplete.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    PaizaCloud Cloud IDE

    by PaizaCloud Cloud IDE
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    PaizaCloud puts development tools and listed language environments in a browser workspace, with free and paid options.

    7.3 From $9.80/mo Visit site
  10. 10

    OpenIDE

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Choose the free OpenIDE plan if its listed languages, Git client, and plugin marketplace fit your development work.

    7.2 Free plan · pricing on request Visit site
  11. 11

    Visual Studio Code

    Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1

    VS Code offers a broad editor toolkit and optional agent workflows across desktop and web. Consider the web environment’s limits and extension permissions when deciding how to use it.

    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    Zed

    by Zed
    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Zed combines code editing with Git tools, debugging, remote development, extensions, and team collaboration. Check the Personal prediction limit and Pro token overage billing against your needs.

    6.8 Free plan · paid from $10/user/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
  13. 13

    PHP Studio

    Free plan Self-hostedWeb

    Choose PHP Studio for a free, self-hosted browser editor when one server needs to serve PHP access to many lab systems.

    6.6 Free plan Visit site
  14. 14

    NuSphere PhpED

    Free trial LinuxMacWindows

    Choose PhpED if you want an IDE with PHP editing, debugging, profiling, deployment, and database capabilities across Linux, macOS, or Windows.

    6.1 From $99 Visit site
  15. 15

    Scriptcase

    Free trial APILinuxMac+3

    Choose Scriptcase if your team wants to build PHP applications from databases in a browser and distribute the generated applications without royalties.

    6.0 From $499/user · 20-day trial Visit site
  16. 16

    Nova

    Free trial Mac

    Nova combines code editing, debugging, Git, language support, and remote-file tools for macOS.

    5.9 From $99 · 30-day trial Visit site
  17. 17

    PhpStorm

    Free trial LinuxMacWindows

    Choose PhpStorm if PHP work calls for integrated coding assistance, framework support, debugging, testing, databases, and remote development.

    5.9 30-day trial Visit site
  18. 18

    SlickEdit

    by SlickEdit
    Free trial LinuxMacWindows

    Choose SlickEdit Standard for single-file work, scripts and large-file editing, or Pro for complex projects that need analysis, builds, debugging and version control.

    5.8 From $125 · 15-day trial Visit site
  19. 19

    phpDesigner

    Free trial Windows

    phpDesigner 8 combines PHP development tools with front-end editors, debugging, and remote project support.

    5.7 From €29 · 21-day trial Visit site
  20. 20

    PHP Expert Editor

    Free trial Windows

    PHP Expert Editor combines code editing, PHP debugging, script preview, and file transfer in a Windows IDE. Its trial lasts 30 days, after which registration is required.

    5.7 From €35 · 30-day trial Visit site
  21. 21

    Rapid PHP Editor

    Paid Windows

    Rapid PHP Editor combines everyday editing tools with PHP debugging, remote publishing, and previews. Check the license type and Windows version requirements before choosing it.

    5.1 From $59.95 Visit site
  22. 22

    WeBuilder

    Paid Windows

    WeBuilder brings editing, AI assistance, publishing, preview, and debugging tools into a Windows-focused editor.

    4.9 From $69.95 Visit site
  23. 23

    UEStudio

    Paid Windows

    UEStudio offers Windows users debugging and remote-development capabilities with two paid Enterprise choices. Compare install limits, billing terms, and included maintenance when selecting a plan.

    4.3 From $119.95/yr · 7-day trial Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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