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PHPBrew

phpbrew.github.io

Free plan macOSLinuxSelf-hosted
Visit phpbrew.github.io
Spec score 7.4 #18 of 30 in Runtime Version Managers

What it is

PHPBrew builds and installs multiple PHP versions in a user’s home directory, including without root permission. It is intended for Linux and macOS and compiles PHP from source. Build variants simplify configuration choices such as PDO, MySQL, SQLite, and debug support. Users can temporarily select a version or change the default, with bash and zsh integration for switching and project version pinning. PHPBrew installs extensions from PHP source or PECL and can create configuration to enable them. It can compile Apache PHP modules and provides PHP-FPM management commands when PHP is built with the +fpm variant. Library lookup can use Homebrew, MacPorts, Debian, Ubuntu, or a custom path. Development packages must be installed before building. The project uses the MIT license and directs users to troubleshooting and wiki documentation. Builds of PHP versions no longer officially supported are not guaranteed, and issues involving versions older than 5.4 will not be fixed. The listed plan costs nothing.

Spec sheet

Purpose
PHPBrew builds and installs multiple PHP versions in the user's home directory.Read 3 Oct 2026 · phpbrew.github.io
Intended users
PHPBrew is for users who want to build and manage PHP versions in their home directory, including without root permission.Read 3 Oct 2026 · phpbrew.github.io
Integrations
Its library lookup prefix supports Homebrew, MacPorts, Debian, Ubuntu, or a custom path.Read 3 Oct 2026 · phpbrew.github.io
Support
The project directs users to its troubleshooting page and documentation wiki.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project identifies its license as MIT.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build options
It simplifies PHP configure options into variants and supports choices such as PDO, MySQL, SQLite, and debug builds.Read 3 Oct 2026 · phpbrew.github.io
Compatibility limit
The project says builds of PHP versions no longer officially supported are not guaranteed, and related issues for versions older than 5.4 will not be fixed.Read 3 Oct 2026 · phpbrew.github.io
Extensions
It installs extensions from PHP source or PECL and can create configuration to enable them.Read 3 Oct 2026 · phpbrew.github.io
Installation requirements
Building PHP requires development packages to be installed first.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Version switching
It can temporarily use a PHP version or switch the default version, and integrates with bash and zsh.Read 3 Oct 2026 · phpbrew.github.io
Web server support
It can compile Apache PHP modules and provides PHP-FPM management commands when PHP is built with the +fpm variant.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

PHPBrew Free No paid plans stated · Requires development packages to build PHP · Unsupported older PHP versions may fail to build Read 3 Oct 2026 · phpbrew.github.io

Every PHPBrew plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Builds multiple PHP versions locally
  • Works without root permission
  • Supports configurable build variants
  • Installs source or PECL extensions
  • Integrates with bash and zsh

Limits

  • Requires development packages
  • Unsupported PHP versions may fail
  • Linux and macOS only
  • No paid plans stated

Who it suits

PHPBrew suits developers who need several PHP versions, source-built variants, or user-local installations on Linux or macOS. It is useful when root access is unavailable and shell-based switching is desired.

Verdict

PHPBrew gives developers source-based PHP version management with extension, shell, Apache, and PHP-FPM support. Its builds depend on local development packages, and older unsupported PHP releases are not guaranteed.

Where Specifiction places it

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