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PHPBrew
What it is
PHPBrew is a free tool for building and installing multiple PHP versions in a user's home directory, including without root permission. It builds PHP from source on Linux and macOS, with build options organized into variants such as PDO, MySQL, SQLite, and debug builds. Users can temporarily select a version or change the default, and PHPBrew integrates version switching with bash and zsh. It also supports 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. Its library lookup prefix supports Homebrew, MacPorts, Debian, Ubuntu, or a custom path. Development packages must be installed before building PHP. The project warns that builds of PHP versions no longer officially supported are not guaranteed, and related issues for versions older than 5.4 will not be fixed. PHPBrew uses the MIT license and points users to troubleshooting and wiki documentation.
For and against
For
- Builds multiple PHP versions from source.
- Integrates version switching with bash and zsh.
- Can install extensions from PHP source or PECL.
- Supports project version pinning.
- Uses the MIT license.
Against
- Development packages are required before building PHP.
- Older unsupported PHP versions may not build reliably.
- Issues for versions older than 5.4 will not be fixed.
The verdict
PHPBrew offers home-directory PHP builds, version selection, and extension management for Linux and macOS. Building requires development packages, and support for older PHP versions is limited.
Who it suits
PHPBrew suits Linux and macOS users who want to build and manage PHP versions in their home directory. It may be useful to those who need version switching without root permission.
Plans and prices
PHPBrew
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
On the record
- Build options
- It simplifies PHP configure options into variants and supports choices such as PDO, MySQL, SQLite, and debug builds.phpbrew.github.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- 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.phpbrew.github.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- It installs extensions from PHP source or PECL and can create configuration to enable them.phpbrew.github.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Installation requirements
- Building PHP requires development packages to be installed first.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Its library lookup prefix supports Homebrew, MacPorts, Debian, Ubuntu, or a custom path.phpbrew.github.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- PHPBrew is for users who want to build and manage PHP versions in their home directory, including without root permission.phpbrew.github.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The project identifies its license as MIT.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PHPBrew builds and installs multiple PHP versions in the user's home directory.phpbrew.github.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its troubleshooting page and documentation wiki.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Version switching
- It can temporarily use a PHP version or switch the default version, and integrates with bash and zsh.phpbrew.github.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Web server support
- It can compile Apache PHP modules and provides PHP-FPM management commands when PHP is built with the +fpm variant.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
