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Interactive technology comparison · 32 languages & frameworks

PHP vs. Kotlin

Two technologies, one match-up: live job market from real jobs, suitability per use case, profile, strengths and weaknesses.

Python vs. Java Python vs. JavaScript Python vs. TypeScript React vs. Angular React vs. Vue React vs. Next.js
Active jobs
253
Since
1995
Typing
dynamisch (graduell typisiert)
VS
Active jobs
116
Since
2011
Typing
statisch

Kotlin leads in 6 of 8 use cases.

Live from 7,804 jobs

Who wins on the job market?

Real figures from all IT jobs currently published on Jobriver – not estimates. Every number states its basis.

Open positions

PHP is sought in 2.2 times as many job ads.

Remote or hybrid

PHP 40 %
Kotlin 46 %

Basis: 253 and 116 jobs respectively

Senior & lead

PHP 19 %
Kotlin 39 %

Junior jobs: 30 and 6 respectively

Salary according to job ads

PHP €49,500n = 227
Kotlin €57,500n = 87

Editorial assessment

Suitability by use case

0 to 100 per use case. Hover over an axis for the values – everything is listed as a table below.

1:6use cases ahead · 1 tied

Web backend 1 Frontend & dashboards 2 Data science & ML 3 Mobile apps 4 Systems programming 5 Scripting & automation 6 Game development 7 DevOps & cloud 8
Suitability per use case
Use casePHPKotlin
1Web backend 88excellent fit 80good fit
2Frontend & dashboards 25less suitable 30less suitable
3Data science & ML 20less suitable 45suitable
4Mobile apps 15less suitable 95excellent fit
5Systems programming 10less suitable 45suitable
6Scripting & automation 55suitable 55suitable
7Game development 15less suitable 55suitable
8DevOps & cloud 40suitable 60suitable

Profile

Side by side.

PHPKotlin
1995 Year released 2011
Multiparadigma (OOP, prozedural) Paradigm Multiparadigma (OOP, funktional)
dynamisch (graduell typisiert) Typing statisch
Performance
Popularity
Learning curve (lower = easier)

PHP treibt einen Großteil des Webs an (u.a. WordPress, Laravel). Modernes PHP 8 ist schnell und typisiert; ideal für klassische Web-Backends.

Kotlin ist eine pragmatische, statisch typisierte JVM-Sprache. Offizielle Sprache für Android und zunehmend im Backend (Ktor, Spring) beliebt.

Market demand is based on real, active IT job ads on Jobriver. The 1-5 ratings are editorial assessments.

Strengths & weaknesses

What speaks for which?

PHP

Pros

  • Extrem einfache Bereitstellung im Web
  • Modernes PHP 8 ist schnell und typisiert
  • Riesige Verbreitung (WordPress, Laravel)
  • Sehr produktiv für Web-Backends

Cons

  • Historisch inkonsistente Standardbibliothek
  • Ruf leidet unter Altlasten-Code
  • Nur im Web-Kontext relevant
View PHP jobs

Kotlin

Pros

  • Moderner und kompakter als Java
  • Offizielle Sprache für Android
  • Voll interoperabel mit Java/JVM
  • Null-Sicherheit im Typsystem

Cons

  • Kleinere Community als Java
  • Längere Build-Zeiten
  • Außerhalb von Android/JVM wenig verbreitet
View Kotlin jobs

Finder

Which one suits you?

What do you want to build?
What matters to you?
Type

How we calculate: average suitability for your use cases, +15 % weight per selected priority (learning curve, performance, jobs relative to the leader). Tie → alphabetical.

    More match-ups

    How else does PHP fare?

    vs PHP vs. Python Die lesbare Allzwecksprache für Data & Web Compare vs PHP vs. Java Der robuste Enterprise-Klassiker Compare vs PHP vs. JavaScript Die Sprache des Web - überall lauffähig Compare vs PHP vs. TypeScript JavaScript mit statischen Typen Compare vs PHP vs. C# Microsofts vielseitige .NET-Sprache Compare vs PHP vs. C Die Mutter der Systemsprachen Compare

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions about the technology comparison

    Salary comparison by role · IT skill trends

    How is the suitability per use case determined?

    For each technology we editorially assess how well it fits typical use cases (e.g. web backend, frontend, data science). The values are meant as guidance, not absolute truth.

    Where does the market demand come from?

    The number of open jobs comes directly from the active IT job ads on Jobriver - a real, continuously updated indicator of demand in the job market.

    Can I compare languages and frameworks together?

    Yes. You can choose freely - but the comparison is most meaningful within one category, e.g. two frontend frameworks or two languages.

    What do the 1-5 ratings mean?

    Learning curve, performance and popularity are compact editorial assessments on a scale from 1 to 5. For the learning curve, a lower value means an easier start.

    Which technology is the best?

    There is no universally best language or framework - it depends on the use case, the team and the existing ecosystem. That is exactly what this comparison is for.

    How current is the data?

    Market demand updates continuously from the active job ads. We maintain the editorial assessments regularly.

    Decided? Then on to the job.

    Active IT jobs with exactly this technology – with salary, remote share and tech stack.

    PHP jobs Kotlin jobs