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Yii

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Ratings

G2
4.2/5
(24)

Yii description

Yii is a framework for developers to build web applications using the PHP programming language. It provides tools and pre-built components that speed up development and help create secure and efficient applications. Known for its speed and flexibility, Yii is a good fit for a range of projects from small websites to large enterprise systems. It is well-documented and has an active community for support.


Who is Yii best for

Yii is a high-performance PHP framework ideal for developers building scalable web applications. Users praise its ease of installation and the Gii code scaffolding for streamlined admin area creation. However, some find version migration challenging. Yii offers built-in security features and active community support.

  • Yii is best for small to large businesses seeking a robust PHP framework.

  • An excellent fit for software, IT, and telecommunications companies.


Yii features

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need
Supported

Yii supports CRUD scaffolding via the built-in Gii module.

Supported

Yii offers built-in SQL injection protection through its Active Record pattern and parameterized queries.

Supported

Yii supports role-based access control (RBAC) natively.

Supported

Yii supports code generation via its built-in web-based tool called Gii.

Supported

Yii uses controllers to handle incoming requests and process request data.

Supported

Yii supports object-relational mapping through its Active Record implementation.

Supported

Yii allows defining routes and mapping them to controllers.


Yii reviews

We've summarised 24 Yii reviews (Yii G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of Yii
  • Easy installation, high performance, and secure.
  • Excellent for building web applications and console apps using PHP.
  • Active Record is easy to learn and flexible.
  • Gii code scaffolding simplifies admin area creation.
  • Built-in widgets for data display (DetailView, ListView, GridView).
Cons of Yii
  • Difficult version migration can impact project timelines.
  • Limited ecosystem compared to Laravel.
  • Documentation can be unclear and lacking.
  • Tricky to run on shared hosting.
  • Overly coupled front-end and back-end using jQuery and Bootstrap.

Yii alternatives

  • Logo of Symfony
    Symfony
    Better for large projects and has a larger community. It is growing faster than Yii, a Yii alternative. Users find Symfony easier to use and customize but dislike the difficult version updates.
    Read more
  • Logo of Angular
    Angular
    Better for complex, front-end focused projects. More suitable for experienced developers familiar with TypeScript and object-oriented programming. A steeper learning curve and larger bundle size may impact initial load times. Popular for large projects due to its structured approach and reusable components. A strong competitor and Yii alternative for building interactive user interfaces.
    Read more
  • Logo of Laravel
    Laravel
    Better for ecommerce and finance. Easier to use, implement, and more reliable. Growing faster and has a larger community. More positive reviews, but users mention a steeper learning curve and slower performance. A Yii alternative and competitor.
    Read more
  • Logo of CakePHP
    CakePHP
    CakePHP has less favorable reviews and might have performance issues. It has documented backward compatibility issues. Yii alternative.
    Read more
  • Logo of NetBeans
    NetBeans
    Better for Java development. Free and open-source. Supports broader industry use cases. More reviews and slightly lower ratings. NetBeans is an IDE while Yii is a framework.
    Read more
  • Logo of Vividly
    Vividly
    Better for CPG companies needing trade promotion management. Higher ratings and user satisfaction. Easier to use with excellent customer support. More focused on financial insights and automation for deductions and promotions. A Yii alternative and competitor.
    Read more

Yii FAQ

  • What is Yii and what does Yii do?

    Yii is a high-performance PHP framework best for building web applications and APIs. It offers tools like Gii code scaffolding, Active Record for database interaction, and built-in security features, simplifying development from small websites to large-scale enterprise solutions. Yii is known for its speed, flexibility, and active community support.

  • How does Yii integrate with other tools?

    Yii integrates with other tools primarily through extensions and packages. It leverages Composer for dependency management, simplifying the integration of third-party libraries and tools. Additionally, Yii's support for integrations enhances its flexibility and extensibility for various project needs.

  • What the main competitors of Yii?

    Top Yii alternatives include Laravel, Symfony, and CakePHP, all PHP frameworks offering similar functionalities for web application development. While Laravel is known for its elegant syntax and developer-friendly features, Symfony emphasizes reliability and scalability, and CakePHP provides a structured framework for rapid development.

  • Is Yii legit?

    Yes, Yii is a legitimate PHP framework known for its speed and flexibility. It's suitable for projects of all sizes, from small websites to large enterprise applications. Yii offers features like Gii code scaffolding, Active Record, and built-in security measures, making it a safe and efficient choice for web development.

  • How much does Yii cost?

    Yii is an open-source framework, meaning it's free to download and use. There are no fees associated with licensing or subscriptions. However, costs may arise from development, hosting, and potential add-ons or extensions.

  • Is Yii customer service good?

    There is no information available about Yii's customer service. However, users appreciate its ease of installation, high performance, security features, and the Active Record's flexibility. Some find version migration challenging and the documentation unclear.


Reviewed by

MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.