Find PHP Libraries Faster (and Choose Them With Confidence)
If you arrived here from an old PHPTrends search URL (for example /?q=forum or /search?q=http+client),
the original on-site search tool is no longer available. This page is the permanent replacement.
Instead of a dead-end, you now get a practical, up-to-date workflow: search Composer packages on Packagist, validate candidates on GitHub, and use a dependency checklist that helps teams avoid risky or abandoned libraries.
Tip: if your URL contains ?q=..., we’ll auto-build one-click links below.
Want the “why” behind each result? Keep scrolling: you’ll get the best places to search, plus a short due‑diligence method that is realistic for production teams.
Why this page exists (and how it helps you)
“Search PHP libraries” sounds simple — until you need a package you can trust for months or years. The PHP ecosystem is huge: you can find hundreds of options for HTTP clients, logging, queues, JWT authentication, PDF generation, scraping, testing, caching, and more.
The goal of this page is not to dump a generic list. It’s to help you:
1) Find the right packages
Use the sources that consistently surface real Composer packages and maintained repositories.
- Packagist for Composer packages
- GitHub for maintenance signals
- Composer CLI for terminal-first workflows
2) Reduce dependency risk
Adopt libraries based on evidence: releases, issue response, security posture, and ecosystem fit — not hype.
- Maintenance and release cadence
- Security policy and advisory handling
- Compatibility and upgrade friction
3) Shorten decision time
If you’re building for a team, “search results” are not a decision. You need a shortlist and a method.
- Curated discovery shortcuts
- Practical evaluation checklist
- A clear “ship it / prototype / avoid” rubric
Where to search for PHP libraries (best sources)
If your main goal is “find a library I can install with Composer”, start with Packagist. If your main goal is “choose a dependency that won’t become a liability”, validate on GitHub. If your goal is “move fast without leaving the terminal”, use Composer’s CLI search.
| Source | Best for | What to check (high-signal) |
|---|---|---|
|
Packagist Composer package directory Open Packagist |
Discovering installable Composer packages, comparing package names, versions, and basic metadata. | Latest stable release, versioning discipline, links to source repository, dependency footprint, and whether the package matches your use case (not just your keyword). |
|
GitHub Source + issues + releases Search PHP repos |
Verifying maintenance health, reading real-world discussions, reviewing documentation quality and tests. | Release cadence, issue response time, maintainers, security policy, CI status, open PRs, and whether the library has a stable upgrade path. |
|
Composer CLI Terminal-first search Composer CLI docs |
Fast package discovery while you’re already inside a project (especially for known names/categories). | Use it to shortlist candidates, then confirm details on Packagist + GitHub before adopting. |
|
Curated lists Category exploration Awesome PHP |
Learning ecosystem “landmarks” and discovering alternatives you didn’t know existed. | Treat curated lists as discovery, not validation. Always apply the checklist below. |
|
PECL PHP extensions (not Composer) Browse PECL |
Capabilities that ship as PHP extensions (performance / system-level dependencies). | PHP version compatibility, platform constraints, deployment impact, and ongoing maintenance. |
A practical workflow that works in production
Use Packagist to find candidates → use GitHub to judge health → apply the checklist below → decide whether it’s production-ready, prototype-only, or avoid.
How to evaluate a PHP package before installing it
Installing a dependency is easy. Removing it later is expensive. The most common failure modes are predictable: abandoned packages, security incidents handled poorly, unstable APIs, hidden dependency bloat, or libraries that force a framework style that doesn’t match your architecture.
The 10-minute due diligence checklist
Copy this into your internal PR template. It keeps decisions consistent across a team.
- Problem fit: Does it solve your use case with minimal complexity?
- Maintenance: Are releases and commits recent enough to trust?
- Responsiveness: Are issues and PRs handled in a timely, respectful way?
- Security posture: Is there a security policy or evidence of responsible fixes?
- API stability: Clear versioning, changelog, upgrade notes?
- Documentation: Installation, examples, edge cases, troubleshooting?
- Testing/CI: Automated tests, CI badges, code quality signals?
- Compatibility: PHP version support and framework interoperability?
- License: Compatible with how you ship and monetize software?
- Exit plan: Can you swap it out later (adapters, interfaces, PSRs)?
Fast rule of thumb
If it’s a core dependency and you can’t explain why it’s safe to a reviewer, you haven’t finished evaluating it.
A simple scoring model (production teams love this)
Score each category from 0 to 2 (0 = red flag, 1 = acceptable, 2 = strong). If a core dependency scores under 14/20, keep it “prototype-only” until proven.
| Category | What “strong” looks like |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Consistent release cadence, recent commits, active maintainers, responsive issue triage. |
| Security | Clear security policy, fixes shipped quickly, transparent advisories, safe defaults. |
| Docs & examples | Real examples, troubleshooting, edge cases, versioned docs, minimal ambiguity. |
| Ecosystem fit | PSR alignment where relevant, framework interoperability, predictable configuration. |
| Operational cost | Reasonable dependency tree, low runtime overhead, no surprise infrastructure requirements. |
Popular searches (one click, no forms)
If you’re exploring a category, these quick links set a search term in the URL (?q=...)
so you can jump straight to Packagist and GitHub with the same intent.
Prefer curated discovery over guesswork?
When you’re building for production, you typically don’t want “200 results”. You want shortlists, signals, and context.
Composer & discovery cheat sheet
The fastest teams reduce “search time” by standardizing how they discover and adopt dependencies. Even if you’re a solo developer, this cheat sheet keeps your decisions deliberate.
Terminal-first discovery
Use Composer search to shortlist candidates, then validate on Packagist and GitHub.
Examples
composer search monolog
composer search "http client"
composer search jwt
Tip: once you find a candidate, read the README and scan open issues before you commit to it.
If you’re responsible for a team stack, standardize: a shortlist process, a scoring rubric, and an explicit “exit plan” pattern (adapters/interfaces).
FAQs
These are the most common questions teams ask when they search for Composer packages and PHP libraries.
Where is the best place to search PHP libraries?
Start with Packagist because it is focused on Composer-installable packages. Then validate on GitHub (releases, issues, security posture, documentation quality). If you prefer a terminal workflow, use Composer search to shortlist options quickly.
Is Packagist the same thing as Composer?
No. Composer is the dependency manager you run locally. Packagist is the package directory Composer uses by default to discover packages and resolve dependencies.
How do I know if a PHP package is maintained?
Check the repository activity (recent releases and commits), how issues and PRs are handled, and whether documentation stays current. A maintained library usually shows consistent releases, clear upgrade notes, and predictable communication.
What is the safest way to adopt a new dependency in production?
Use a short “production adoption” checklist: verify maintenance signals, security posture, license compatibility, PHP version support, and how hard it would be to replace later. For core dependencies, avoid “single maintainer + no releases + vague docs”.
Should I use a Composer package or a PHP extension (PECL)?
Use a Composer package when you want dependency-level portability and easy updates. Use a PHP extension when you need runtime-level capabilities or performance improvements — but treat extensions like infrastructure: verify compatibility, deployment constraints, and maintenance.
Why do search results feel overwhelming?
Because search alone doesn’t provide decision signals. You need a method: shortlist, validate, score, and decide. If you want higher-signal discovery, use a curated radar that explains tradeoffs instead of just listing names.
Can PHPTrends help beyond search?
Yes. PHPTrends focuses on high-signal library discovery and ecosystem context. If you’re choosing a stack for a team, start with the Library Radar and use the checklist on this page to validate your final picks.