nvm vs PHPBrew
nvm
github.comPHPBrew
phpbrew.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | nvm | PHPBrew |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Runtime Version Managers | 8.5 (#4) | 7.4 (#18) |
| Integrations | Documented integrations include Docker, Ansible, zsh plugins, bash completion and optional nvshim shims. | Its library lookup prefix supports Homebrew, MacPorts, Debian, Ubuntu, or a custom path. |
| License | nvm is distributed under the MIT License, permitting use, modification, distribution and sale subject to retaining notices. | The project identifies its license as MIT. |
| Purpose | nvm lets users install and use different Node.js versions from the command line. | PHPBrew builds and installs multiple PHP versions in the user's home directory. |
| Support | The project states that only the latest nvm version is supported. | The project directs users to its troubleshooting page and documentation wiki. |
| Version switching | nvm use changes the active Node version in the current shell. | It can temporarily use a PHP version or switch the default version, and integrates with bash and zsh. |
Plans
In their own words
nvm
nvm is a free, MIT-licensed command-line tool for installing and managing Node.js versions. It is designed for installation per user and invocation per shell, and works in POSIX-compliant shells including sh, dash, ksh, zsh, and bash. Users can install specific versions, switch between them, set aliases such as a default, and use LTS aliases and commands to select long-term support versions. A project can specify its Node.js version in an.nvmrc file; documented shell snippets can support automatic switching. During installation, nvm can reinstall global npm packages from another installed Node.js version. With the --offline flag, it can install a version that was previously downloaded or cached without network access. The project documents use in Docker, including an example for CI/CD jobs. On Windows, nvm can work through WSL and may work with Git Bash or Cygwin depending on the environment. Fish shell is not supported, and the project points users to community alternatives. The project states that only the latest nvm version is supported.
PHPBrew
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.