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Interactive technology comparison · 32 languages & frameworks

R vs. PHP: Comparison, differences & use cases

R and PHP 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
60
Since
1993
Typing
dynamisch
VS
Active jobs
253
Since
1995
Typing
dynamisch (graduell typisiert)

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

R 37 %
PHP 40 %

Basis: 60 and 253 jobs respectively

Senior & lead

R 10 %
PHP 19 %

Junior jobs: 9 and 30 respectively

Salary according to job ads

R €61,500n = 46
PHP €49,500n = 227

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.

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

Profile

Side by side.

RPHP
1993 Year released 1995
Funktional, statistisch Paradigm Multiparadigma (OOP, prozedural)
dynamisch Typing dynamisch (graduell typisiert)
Performance
Popularity
Learning curve (lower = easier)

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

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

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?

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

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

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 R fare?

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

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions about R and PHP

    Salary comparison by role · IT skill trends

    What is the difference between R and PHP?

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

    How many jobs are there for R and PHP?

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

    Is R or PHP better for starting a career?

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

    Where are most jobs for R and PHP?

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

    What do you earn with R compared to PHP?

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

    Decided? Then on to the job.

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

    R jobs PHP jobs