Both PHP and ASP.NET are the most popular web application platforms known today with their reliability, flexibility and scalability. When we want to compare both these platforms, there are various aspects that need to be considered to choose the best among these two.
Both the platforms have advantages as well as disadvantages to go with their name. There is not much to choose between both these platforms. While both have the characteristics of being used for feature rich and dynamic websites, the cost of development tools and usability differ a lot. While PHP has some advantages in certain areas, the ASP.NET enjoys upper hand in others.
Cost
The major thing that separates the PHP with that of ASP.NET is the cost of development. PHP is an open source code language and is absolutely free to start with. In contrast, ASP.NET requires Microsoft server as well IIS.
User friendly
PHP platform is much easier for a developer as it follows the basic scripting language where as the ASP.NET is considered little complicated and requires good coding experience.
Add-ons
PHP is dependent on lots of addons and plugins in order to match the Visual Studio. This is not the case with ASP.NET as everything is inbuilt.
Use of database
Both these web application platform facilitate use of popular databases such as SQL, Access and many more.
Apart from this the advantage, ASP.NET enjoys over PHP is through its direct extensive support for debugging. This is the most crucial factor which sets apart ASP.NET from its competitors.