Which Node.js framework should we use?

For large applications that need structure similar to Laravel/Symfony, NestJS is a strong fit; for lightweight APIs, Express/Fastify. AI scoping recommends the right option for your project.

Can we migrate incrementally while keeping PHP running?

Yes. We use an API gateway to route requests to either the PHP or Node.js backend, allowing you to migrate endpoint by endpoint without disruption.

How do we handle PHP sessions during migration?

We externalize session storage to Redis, which both PHP and Node.js can access, ensuring users stay logged in throughout the migration.

Migrate from PHP to Node.js

Unify your tech stack with JavaScript end-to-end. Get non-blocking I/O performance and access to the world's largest package ecosystem.

Migration: PHP to Node.js

From PHP to Node.js

Why Migrate

Unified JavaScript Stack: Share code, types, and validation logic between frontend and backend. One language for your entire team reduces context switching and hiring costs.
Non-Blocking Performance: Node.js handles thousands of concurrent connections with its event-driven architecture, outperforming PHP for real-time and I/O-heavy applications.
npm Ecosystem: Access over 2 million packages on npm. Find production-ready solutions for authentication, payments, file processing, and nearly any other requirement.

Migration Roadmap

Codebase Analysis (2–3 days): Audit the PHP application, map framework features (Laravel/Symfony) to Node.js equivalents (Express/NestJS), and design the new API structure.
- PHP dependency and feature inventory
- Node.js framework selection rationale
- API specification document
Incremental Rewrite (5–10 days): Rebuild modules in Node.js starting with the API layer, migrate database access using an ORM like Prisma, and maintain PHP fallbacks during transition.
- Node.js API with equivalent endpoints
- Database ORM layer with Prisma
- Shared authentication between PHP and Node
Validation & Cutover (2–3 days): Run both systems in parallel with traffic mirroring, validate output parity, and switch traffic to the Node.js application.
- Parity test results
- Performance benchmarks
- Production cutover with rollback plan

Risks & Mitigation

PHP-specific libraries without Node.js equivalents: We identify these during the audit phase and either find npm alternatives or build lightweight custom implementations.
Team unfamiliar with Node.js best practices: The platform produces well-documented code following Node.js conventions, with generated handoff docs so your development team can take ownership.

Estimated Scope

Hours: 160–320 | Cost: $320–$640 | Timeline: 10-20 days

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Node.js framework should we use?: For large applications that need structure similar to Laravel/Symfony, NestJS is a strong fit; for lightweight APIs, Express/Fastify. AI scoping recommends the right option for your project.
Can we migrate incrementally while keeping PHP running?: Yes. We use an API gateway to route requests to either the PHP or Node.js backend, allowing you to migrate endpoint by endpoint without disruption.
How do we handle PHP sessions during migration?: We externalize session storage to Redis, which both PHP and Node.js can access, ensuring users stay logged in throughout the migration.