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Interactive technology comparison · 32 languages & frameworks

PHP vs. R: Comparison, differences & use cases

PHP and R compared: differences, strengths and use cases – with the job market live from real postings and suitability per use case.

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
60
Since
1993
Typing
dynamisch

PHP leads in 5 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 4.2 times as many job ads.

Remote or hybrid

PHP 40 %
R 37 %

Basis: 253 and 60 jobs respectively

Senior & lead

PHP 19 %
R 10 %

Junior jobs: 30 and 9 respectively

Salary according to job ads

PHP €49,500n = 227
R €61,500n = 46

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.

5:2use 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 casePHPR
1Web backend 88excellent fit 20less suitable
2Frontend & dashboards 25less suitable 15less suitable
3Data science & ML 20less suitable 95excellent fit
4Mobile apps 15less suitable 5less suitable
5Systems programming 10less suitable 10less suitable
6Scripting & automation 55suitable 60suitable
7Game development 15less suitable 5less suitable
8DevOps & cloud 40suitable 20less suitable

Profile

Side by side.

PHPR
1995 Year released 1993
Multiparadigma (OOP, prozedural) Paradigm Funktional, statistisch
dynamisch (graduell typisiert) Typing dynamisch
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.

R ist auf Statistik, Datenanalyse und Visualisierung spezialisiert. In Forschung und Data Science weit verbreitet, außerhalb davon kaum.

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

R

Pros

  • Unschlagbar für Statistik & Visualisierung
  • Riesiges Paket-Ökosystem (CRAN)
  • Standard in Forschung & Data Science
  • Schnelle explorative Datenanalyse

Cons

  • Außerhalb von Statistik kaum nutzbar
  • Performance bei großen Daten begrenzt
  • Eigenwillige Syntax
View R 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 PHP and R

    Salary comparison by role · IT skill trends

    What is the difference between PHP and R?

    In the suitability comparison PHP leads in 5 and R in 2 of 8 use cases; in the rest both are level. PHP fits Web backend best, R fits Data science & ML best.

    How many jobs are there for PHP and R?

    Currently 253 open IT jobs on Jobriver mention PHP, and 60 mention R. Of these, 100 and 22 respectively are remote or hybrid.

    Is PHP or R better for starting a career?

    For career starters there are currently 30 jobs with PHP and 9 jobs with R; for senior and lead roles there are 48 and 6.

    Where are most jobs for PHP and R?

    Most PHP jobs are in Köln, most R jobs are in Berlin.

    What do you earn with PHP compared to R?

    In job ads with a salary, the median annual salary for PHP is EUR 49,500 gross and for R EUR 61,500 gross (median of 227 and 46 ads).

    Decided? Then on to the job.

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

    PHP jobs R jobs