PHPBrew
PHPBrew is a free tool for building and managing multiple PHP versions in a user’s home directory, including for users without root permission.
What PHPBrew is
PHPBrew is a free tool for building and managing multiple PHP versions in a user’s home directory, including for users without root permission. It builds PHP from source and groups configuration choices into variants, including PDO, MySQL, SQLite and debug builds. Users can temporarily select a PHP version or change the default, with bash and zsh integration for switching. PHPBrew can install extensions from PHP source or PECL and create configuration to enable them. For web server use, it can compile Apache PHP modules; PHP-FPM management commands are available when PHP is built with the +fpm variant. Its library lookup prefix can use Homebrew, MacPorts, Debian, Ubuntu or a custom path. Development packages must be installed before building PHP. The project cautions 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 is for Linux and macOS and uses the MIT license; its documentation includes a troubleshooting page and wiki.
Good
- Free to use, with no paid plans stated.
- Manages multiple PHP versions in a user’s home directory.
- Supports bash and zsh version switching.
- Can install extensions from PHP source or PECL.
Watch out
- Development packages are required before building PHP.
- Unsupported PHP versions are not guaranteed to build.
- Issues for versions older than 5.4 will not be fixed.
Who it suits
PHPBrew suits Linux and macOS users who want to build and manage PHP versions in their home directory, including without root access. It may also fit developers who need version switching through bash or zsh.
Verdict
PHPBrew offers source-based PHP version management with build variants, shell integration and extension support. Users should account for the development-package requirement and the project’s limits on older PHP versions.
Plans and prices
From PHPBrew's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| PHPBrew | Free | No paid plans stated · Requires development packages to build PHP · Unsupported older PHP versions may fail to build |
The facts
Each one read from PHPBrew's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Build options
- It simplifies PHP configure options into variants and supports choices such as PDO, MySQL, SQLite, and debug builds.checked 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- It installs extensions from PHP source or PECL and can create configuration to enable them.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Installation requirements
- Building PHP requires development packages to be installed first.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Its library lookup prefix supports Homebrew, MacPorts, Debian, Ubuntu, or a custom path.checked 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The project identifies its license as MIT.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PHPBrew builds and installs multiple PHP versions in the user's home directory.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its troubleshooting page and documentation wiki.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Version switching
- It can temporarily use a PHP version or switch the default version, and integrates with bash and zsh.checked 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
