The Evolutionary PHP Microframework

Built for performance. Designed to evolve.

Build high-performance APIs that adapt and evolve. Express.js-inspired syntax meets PHP's power.

✅ v5.0.0
Stable version, recommended for new projects and prototypes.

229
req/sec (Docker, moderate load)
competitive
~210ms
p95 latency (moderate load)
fast
1 CPU
512 MB container limit
lightweight
0%
error rate (smoke test)
reliable

Results from the Docker voting-API benchmark (2026-10-10), PivotPHP 4.0. See the benchmarks page.

Express.js Simplicity, PHP Performance

Write modern PHP with a familiar, intuitive API inspired by Express.js. No boilerplate, just productivity.

  • Intuitive routing with middleware support
  • Built-in dependency injection container
  • PSR-7/PSR-15 compliant HTTP handling
  • Zero configuration to get started
  • Type-safe with PHPStan Level 9
app.php
use PivotPHP\Core\Core\Application;

$app = new Application();

// Simple routing with Express.js-like syntax
$app->get('/api/users/:id', function ($req, $res) {
    return $res->json([
        'id' => $req->param('id'),
        'name' => 'John Doe'
    ]);
});

// Middleware support (PSR-15)
$app->use(new SecurityHeadersMiddleware());

$app->post('/api/users',
    function ($req, $res) {
        $user = User::create($req->json());
        return $res->status(201)->json($user);
    }
);

$app->run();

Our Philosophy

Evolution over Convention

Adapt and grow naturally instead of rigid patterns

Performance in Every Strand

Speed and efficiency woven into every component

Structure meets Speed

Robust architecture without performance compromise

Evolution over Convention

Where Structure meets Speed. PivotPHP represents a paradigm shift in PHP development - rapid adaptation with exceptional performance.

Competitive Performance APIs

~230 req/sec and ~210ms p95 in the Docker voting-API benchmark (moderate load, 1 CPU). Honest numbers from a reproducible suite.

Docker Tested Reproducible

Security First

Built-in CSRF, XSS protection, rate limiting, and JWT authentication. Security by default, not afterthought.

CSRF Protected JWT Auth

Evolution over Convention

Adapt your application as requirements change. PivotPHP grows with your project, not against it.

Adaptive Evolutionary

Zero Configuration

Start building immediately. No complex setup, no boilerplate. Just composer install and go.

Quick Start No Boilerplate

Structure meets Speed

Full PSR-7, PSR-11, PSR-12, PSR-14, PSR-15 compliance. Structured architecture without performance compromise.

Structured Fast

Quality & Standards

PHPStan Level 9, PSR-12 compliance, comprehensive test suite. Built with modern PHP best practices.

PHPStan L9 PSR Compliant

Rich Extension Ecosystem

Extend PivotPHP with powerful packages that add functionality without compromising performance.

Cycle ORM

Cycle ORM integration. Paused: it supports core 1.x only and has not been migrated to 4.x yet.

Database Paused
Learn more →

Build Extensions

PivotPHP is designed to be extended. Build your own extensions following our guide.

Extensible Modular
View all →

Install extensions easily via Composer

composer require pivotphp/cycle-orm

Performance in Every Strand

Benchmarks executed in standardized Docker containers for fair, reproducible testing. Real performance data, consistent conditions.
PivotPHP 4.0 results (2026-10-10) — voting API, moderate load.

229 req/sec
~210ms p95 latency
1 CPU container limit
0% smoke-test errors

Ready to Evolve Your PHP Development?

Join developers building the next generation of PHP applications.