Side by side
PHPBrew vs plenv
Both stand on runtime version managers. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted
PHPBrew offers source builds, version switching, extensions, and project pinning for users managing PHP locally. Account for development-package prerequisites and the stated limits on older PHP versions.
Visit PHPBrew Free plan LinuxMac
Choose plenv if you need project-specific Perl versions on Linux or macOS and want shell-based switching. Its local version file and shims provide per-project selection, while plugins extend installation and module workflows. Look elsewhere if you need to keep using perlbrew, which is incompatible with plenv.
Visit plenvThe facts
| PHPBrew | plenv | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted | Linux, Mac |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | phpbrew.github.io | github.com |
| On runtime version managers | #14 of 30 | #18 of 30 |
PHPBrew: what it does well
- Builds multiple PHP versions in a home directory
- Switches versions through bash and zsh
- Supports project version pinning
- Installs extensions from PHP source or PECL
- Free and MIT-licensed
What to know first
- Development packages are required before building
- Unsupported older PHP builds are not guaranteed
- Issues for versions older than 5.4 will not be fixed
plenv: what it does well
- A `.perl-version` file can pin Perl to a project directory.
- Local project versions take precedence over the global selection.
- Optional Bash and Zsh shell integration and autocompletion are documented.
- Plugins add installation and local::lib integration commands.
- The module migration command can move modules between Perl environments.
What to know first
- plenv is incompatible with perlbrew.
- The listed dependencies include Perl 5.8.1+ and Bash.
- Module migration may produce different module versions.
- curl is needed for `plenv install-cpanm`.
Alternatives to PHPBrew Alternatives to plenv The whole list