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phpDesigner VS Microsoft Expression Web

Compare phpDesigner VS Microsoft Expression Web and see what are their differences

phpDesigner logo phpDesigner

Powerful PHP IDE and PHP editor with built-in HTML, CSS and JavaScript editor. Fast. Powerful.

Microsoft Expression Web logo Microsoft Expression Web

Microsoft Expression Web, part of Microsoft's Expression Studio, is an HTML editor and general...
  • phpDesigner Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • Microsoft Expression Web Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

phpDesigner features and specs

  • Comprehensive PHP Support
    phpDesigner offers extensive support for PHP development, including built-in PHP debugging and syntax highlighting, which aids developers in efficiently writing and testing PHP code.
  • Integrated Development Environment
    It provides a full-featured IDE with a project manager, code intelligence, and support for various programming languages, allowing developers to work on complex projects within a single platform.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software comes with a clean, intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced developers to streamline their workflow.
  • Powerful Code Editor
    The code editor in phpDesigner is powerful, featuring extensive customization options, support for code snippets, and real-time error detection, enhancing code accuracy and efficiency.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    phpDesigner is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, which allows developers to use the tool across different platforms without compatibility issues.

Possible disadvantages of phpDesigner

  • Limited Updates
    The software has not seen frequent updates compared to some other modern IDEs, potentially lacking the latest features and optimizations present in newer competitors.
  • Windows Focused
    While it offers cross-platform capabilities, phpDesigner's primary focus on Windows may lead to less optimized performance or a lack of support for MacOS and Linux environments.
  • Requires Learning Curve
    For users new to integrated development environments, particularly those specific to PHP, there might be a significant learning curve to fully utilize all the features phpDesigner offers.
  • Commercial License Cost
    phpDesigner is not free software; it requires purchasing a commercial license, which could be a downside for individual developers or small companies seeking cost-free solutions.
  • Lacks Modern Collaboration Tools
    The IDE may not include modern collaborative features like real-time code sharing and cloud-based project management, which are becoming increasingly important for team-based development.

Microsoft Expression Web features and specs

  • Integrated Development Environment
    Provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface that supports a wide range of web development tasks, making it easier for developers to manage workflows.
  • Standards Compliance
    Ensures that web designs are standards-compliant, supporting modern web standards like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, which helps in creating cross-browser compatible websites.
  • SEO Tools
    Includes built-in SEO reporting and analysis tools that help optimize web pages for search engines, thereby improving website visibility and reach.
  • Code Validation
    Supports real-time code validation that helps identify and correct errors in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code, leading to cleaner and more efficient code.
  • FTP Integration
    Features integrated FTP functionalities allowing easy deployment and management of websites directly from the development environment.
  • Compatibility
    Can be used alongside other Microsoft tools and services, such as Visual Studio and Azure, enhancing the overall development ecosystem.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Expression Web

  • Discontinuation
    Microsoft Expression Web has been discontinued, meaning no new updates, features, or support will be provided, which may lead to potential security and compatibility issues over time.
  • Learning Curve
    Although user-friendly, it has a learning curve for those who are new to web development or those coming from different development platforms.
  • Limited Language Support
    Primarily focused on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and may not support other web development languages as comprehensively as some other modern IDEs.
  • No Server-side Scripting
    Does not provide robust support for server-side scripting languages like PHP or ASP.NET, requiring developers to use additional tools for backend development.
  • Outdated Resources
    The lack of updates and support means that the tool may not keep up with the latest web technologies and practices, making it less suitable for modern web development.

phpDesigner videos

phpDesigner Overview

More videos:

  • Review - phpDesigner 7 & 8 remove annoying Code tip
  • Review - تثبيت وتفعيل برنامج phpDesigner 8

Microsoft Expression Web videos

Microsoft Launcher Review! [Android App]

More videos:

  • Review - Microsoft Expression Web 4 - Viewing Features
  • Review - OK! WHAT'S NEW IN MICROSOFT LAUNCHER BIGGEST UPDATE! v6
  • Review - Install Microsoft Expression Web 4 on Windows 10
  • Demo - Microsoft Expression Web 3 Demo
  • Review - Microsoft launcher - Why should you check it out! - Quick Look & Guide (2020)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to phpDesigner and Microsoft Expression Web)
Text Editors
24 24%
76% 76
IDE
24 24%
76% 76
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Web Development Tools
100 100%
0% 0

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare phpDesigner and Microsoft Expression Web

phpDesigner Reviews

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Microsoft Expression Web Reviews

Top 8 Dreamweaver Alternatives for Web Designers
We suppose we should not miss this member from Microsoft while checking out best alternatives for Dreamweaver. Expression Web 4.0 is a Windows-only tool for building web pages with ease through the direct code editor. The tool comprises almost the same user interface of Dreamweaver and does not compromise in the functionality as well. In that sense, being a free application...
Source: xtendedview.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing phpDesigner and Microsoft Expression Web, you can also consider the following products

Adobe Dreamweaver - Adobe Dreamweaver is a proprietary web development tool developed by Adobe Systems.

PhpStorm - Professional IDE for PHP and Web Developers

Sublime Text - Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features. Fully customizable with macros, and syntax highlighting for most major languages.

BlueGriffon - An HTML editor based on Mozilla rendering engine.

KISS Launcher - KISS is a fast launcher for your Android.

Pinegrow - A professional visual editor for Bootstrap 4 and 3, Foundation, responsive design, HTML, and CSS. Convert HTML to WordPress themes.