Building a website or WordPress plugin means picking the right tools to make it fast, user-friendly, and modern. Two common tools are PHP and React. PHP works behind the scenes to power websites, while React creates the interactive parts users see and click on.
This blog discusses PHP and React.js, two ultimate web building tools, to show why WordPress is preferring and customers are benefitting from modern UI with React.js and PHP going hand in hand.
PHP and React.js – A Fundamental Concept Breakdown
What is PHP?
PHP is a server-side language that runs on a computer (server) to create web pages, manage data, or handle forms. It’s widely used for websites like blogs or online stores, powering tools like WordPress and Laravel. PHP is a mature and stable server-side language that powers WordPress and provides a robust foundation for building dynamic websites with strong backend capabilities.
What is React.js?
React is a JavaScript library built by Facebook to design the front-end of websites and apps—the parts you see and interact with, like buttons, menus, or live feeds. It’s great for creating smooth, dynamic interfaces that update quickly.
PHP and React.js – How Both are Different?
PHP handles back-end tasks, sending complete pages to your browser. React works in the browser to make those pages interactive and responsive.
While both PHP and React serve different purposes, React.js supports PHP when building modern and engaging web applications or WordPress plugins.
How WordPress Products are Benefitting From PHP and React
One of the most prominent examples of WordPress products embracing React.js is the Gutenberg Editor, the block-based content editor introduced in WordPress 5.0. Gutenberg replaces the classic editor with a dynamic, visual editing experience. Each content block, such as text, images, videos, or widgets is built as a React component. This structure enables users to see changes in real-time, drag and drop elements, and enjoy a smooth editing experience without page reloads.
Building on the success of Gutenberg, WordPress introduced Full Site Editing (FSE), also known as the Site Editor. This feature allows users to visually customize entire parts of their website, like headers, footers, and page templates. React powers the live-editing capabilities of the Site Editor, ensuring that changes appear instantly on the screen.
Another example we have is the Jetpack Dashboard by Automattic, which uses React.js to offer a modern, app-like admin interface. The dashboard provides users with real-time updates on site stats, security alerts, backups, and performance tools; all presented in a clean, fast, and interactive layout. React enables dynamic data loading and smooth transitions, significantly improving the user experience.
WooCommerce is also implementing React.js gradually through WooCommerce Blocks. This preserves compatibility with existing WordPress themes and plugins while bringing React.js benefits to critical customer touchpoints.
Why New User Approve Moves to React From PHP
A practical example of modernized UI is New User Approve, a WordPress user approval management plugin that helps websites manage new user roles. It was built with PHP, like most WordPress tools.
Acknowledging the latest UI demands, we are now switching to React for frontend development while keeping PHP for frontend functionality.
The change will make the plugin interface faster and more user-friendly, showing how even PHP projects like WooCommerce are adopting React.js for better results.
Ending Note
React.js is one of the best options for building modern, interactive, and scalable apps. It’s faster, more flexible, and creates engaging user experiences. On the other hand, PHP works well for seamless backend functionalities.
If you’re planning a web project, consider both PHP and React.js to make your WordPress project shine.
