Looking to enter the field of web development but not sure where to start?

Why not start with PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor), the most basic, oldest, and most highly used language for website building?

Despite many new languages like JavaScript, Python, Golang, and many others, PHP had a market share of 45.43% in 2022. It is one of the main scripting languages used in making web servers. Along with being the most basic, learning PHP can pave the path to multiple professional opportunities for your growth. Thankfully, with free PHP courses online, you can learn it from anywhere, anytime.

This article helps you identify the best free PHP courses available online to upskill yourself. Pick the best one based on your need from the below-given list.

List of 15 best free PHP courses online to learn the most popular programming language:

1. Introduction to PHP Basics

This free PHP course is perfect for beginners looking to learn and master PHP. Coders, Data analysts, AI Engineers, and Aspiring software developers will gain knowledge to excel professionally. This course comes with a limited access of 90 days from the date of joining. On completing the 7 hours of learning, a certificate is issued.

Providing Platform – Skillup

Duration – 7 hours

Facilitator – Experts from Industry

Skill Level – Beginner

Topics Covered:

• Basics of PHP and XAMPP
• Data Structures
• Working with PHP Forms
• Object-oriented programming
• PHP Interview Questions

2. PHP for Beginners – Best Free PHP Course

This short and brief course gives a sneak peek into one of the oldest scripting languages, PHP. If you are looking to enhance your software development skills, this is a course you should not miss. This is one of the best software engineering courses for coding and web development. A certificate of completion is awarded on course completion.

Providing Platform – Great Learning

Duration – 1.5 hours

Facilitator – Gaurav Singh

Skill Level – Beginner

Topics Covered:

• PHP Basics – Variables, Data Types, Control Statements, Loops, and functions
• Arrays in PHP
• Hands-on examples for every topic

3. Practical PHP: Master the Basics and Code Dynamics Websites

Popular websites and frameworks use PHP. This makes it one of the most powerful scripting languages. This course does not require you to have any prior knowledge of PHP. Beginners, Students, Graphic Designers, and bloggers looking to build their websites can opt for this course. At the end of the course, you will be equipped with the skill to curate dynamic websites through PHP.

Providing Platform – Udemy

Duration – 6 hours 20 minutes

Facilitators – Brad Hussey, Code College

Skill Level – Beginner

Topics Covered:

• PHP Fundamentals
• Practical experience in coding PHP
• Building a dynamic website

4. Learn Object-Oriented Programming with PHP

This course will assist you in writing your first PHP Object with step-by-step guidance. You will be able to master many skills on completion of the course, including web development, front and back ends, programming language, and hypertext preprocessor. It is the best free PHP course to gain specialization in object-oriented programming with PHP.

Providing Platform – Coursera

Duration – 1.5 hours

Facilitator – Harisson Kong

Skill Level – Intermediate

Topics Covered:

• Pillars of object-oriented programming
• Step by Step coding guidance
• Writing code with object-oriented PHP
• Split screen view for better understanding

5. The PHP 7 Micro course – Learn PHP in a Day!

Udemy offers this PHP 7 micro-course with an updated PHP 7.4 version. Therefore, it will be easier if you have some basic knowledge about software and systems before you enroll in the course. However, newbies should not hesitate to join. Focus on core concepts, an easier way of delivering the topics, and a slower pace of teaching will help in better understanding.

Providing Platform –Udemy

Duration – 1 hour 55 minutes

Facilitator – Rick Mac Gillis, Red Scale Corporation

Skill Level – Beginner to Intermediate

Topics Covered:

• XAMPP Setup, Configure Apache, and Installing Eclipse
• PHP Basics
• Types of Strings
• String Interpolation
• Operators
• Data Types & Variables

6. PDO (PHP Data Objects)

PHP developers who have just begun their journey will get a deeper understanding of PDO through this course. PDO is one of the most crucial PHP extensions that help work with databases. This free PHP course guides a learner to go ahead in the journey of developing PHP and MYSQL Applications.

Providing Platform –Udemy

Duration – 31 minutes

Facilitator – Anuj Kumar

Skill Level – Beginner to Intermediate

Topics Covered:

• PDO – PHP Database Extension
• Using PDO to insert & read data in the Database
• Updating data with PDO
• Deleting records

7. File Handling with PHP Course

PHP is a highly developed scripting language that not only offers the inclusion of files but also handles them. This course gives an understanding of different ways of interacting with database files. Along with that, it also gives insight into reading and writing files from a directory.

Providing Platform -Tree House

Duration – 1 to 2 hours

Facilitator – Alena Holligan

Skill Level – Intermediate

Topics Covered:

• Basic File Handling
• Directory and File Structure
• Reading, Writing & Reviewing Files
• Parsing Specific Format
• CSV
• JSON
• XML

8. Building Web Applications in PHP

With flexible deadlines and a shareable certificate, this course can be the next step in your professional journey. Web applications are the talk of the town when it comes to start-ups and new ventures. Basic knowledge of programming and PHP will be helpful for this course.

Providing Platform –Coursera

Duration – 31 hours

Facilitator – Charles Russell Severance

Skill Level – Intermediate

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to Dynamic Web Content
• HyperText Markup Language
• Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
• Installing PHP & SQL
• PHP Arrays & Functions
• HTML Forms

9. Build a Complete Registration and Login System using PHP

The registration process is a crucial part of every website providing products and services. This process helps an individual in learning how to build a registration system using PHP. A basic understanding of HTML, PHP, and CSS will help in this course.

Providing Platform – Udemy

Duration – 1 hour 21 minutes

Facilitator – Yash Sarjekar

Skill Level – Intermediate

Topics Covered:

• Create a login page using Html5 and CSS
• Connecting Database and creating a registration page
• Inserting data into the Database
• Extracting data from the Database using PHP

10. PHP Arrays and Control Structures Course

Write more powerful and effective programs using less code through this PHP arrays and control structures course. This free PHP course teaches about logical operators, conditionals, arrays, and loops. A basic understanding of PHP is a must before you enroll in this course.

Providing Platform – Tree House

Duration – 3 hours 13 minutes

Facilitator – Alena Holligan

Skill Level – Beginner

Topics Covered:

• PHP Conditionals
• Comparison Operators
• Compare
• Nested Conditional Statements
• Switch Case Statements
• PHP Arrays
• PHP Loops

11. Learn PHP – The Complete Guide

This course provides a complete guide to launching an application using PHP. The only requirement to join this course is a Xampp server. However, anybody who wants to learn PHP code but has no clue where to start can join this course. Top resources, source code, and step-by-step learning will enhance your understanding of PHP.

Providing Platform – Udemy

Duration – 58 minutes

Facilitator – Ganesh Kavhar

Skill Level – Beginner

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to PHP
• Variables & Constant
• Operators
• Conditional Statement
• Loops
• Function
• String
• Array
• Classes and Inheritance
• Exception Handling

12. Building an Automobile Listing Website with PHP

Individuals willing to learn website building can opt for this course. Moreover, people aspiring to enter the automobile industry with website-building skills will have an added advantage. This course precisely guides on building a website for an automobile business. A basic to intermediate understanding of HTML is a prerequisite to start with this course.

Providing Platform – Coursera

Duration – 1.5 hours

Facilitator – Harrison Kong

Skill Level – Intermediate

Topics Covered:

• Building an automobile listing website
• Step-by-step guidance
• Split screen view for better understanding

13. PHP Standards and Best Practice Course

It is always better to know the best practices in any field to perform better. This course helps improve your coding with PHP by sharing some standard practices. With these practices, you can create applications and websites that are safe, efficient, and maintainable.

Providing Platform –Tree House

Duration – 2 hours 5 minutes

Facilitator – Phil Sturgeon

Skill Level – Intermediate

Topics Covered:

• The need for best practices
• Database and International Concerns
• Autoloading and Composer
• Creating Distributable OOP Packages
• Error Handling

14. Build a Basic PHP Website Course

This course will help the learner build a website with a media library. It can display and organize books, movies, music, products, locations, services, events, and other similar items. The basic understanding gained from this free PHP coursewill assist you in building a website for any other business.

Providing Platform –Tree House

Duration – 2 to 3 hours

Facilitator – Alena Holligan

Skill Level – Intermediate to Advanced

Topics Covered:

• Building a simple website with PHP
• Working with variables and conditionals
• Organizing and displaying inventory
• Email and Form Data
• Reusing the code
• Listing and sorting inventory items

15. Building Database applications in PHP

You can go for this course after understanding the process of building web applications in the S.No. 8 course on this list. Gaining expertise in building web applications through PHP will pave the path for multiple professional opportunities. Provided by the University of Michigan, this course is best for individuals willing to understand CRUD.

Providing Platform –Coursera

Duration – 24 hours

Facilitator – Charles Russell Severance

Skill Level – Intermediate

Topics Covered:

• PHP Objects
• The connection between PHP and SQL
• PHP Cookies and Sessions
• PHP Redirect, Routing, and Authentication
• Building CRUD Application

Final Words

Learning PHP Is Not Rocket Science!

Learning a new scripting language can be a challenging task. However, the list above will make it easier for you to begin. In addition, it covers free PHP courses for every level, from beginner to advanced.

Online learning does need a lot of self-discipline and commitment. However, it’s always better to begin instead of waiting for the right time. So don’t let this wonderfully curated list of free PHP courses go to waste. Half the work is done when you begin something with enthusiasm.

So, take that step forward and start learning!