Ship existing PHP applications natively, without a rewrite, AI -ready and future-proof
Decisive factors:
The requirement is clear: applications need to be available on every device today, in the browser, on the smartphone, on the desktop. Until now, that usually meant a separate development team, a second codebase and considerable extra cost. NativePHP fundamentally changes this equation.
The framework embeds existing Laravel applications directly into native app shells. Business logic, data models, security architecture: everything stays in place. We selectively add the native capabilities your users expect: push notifications, biometric authentication, offline access, camera and GPS.
The result: shorter time to market on a predictable budget. No vendor lock-in, no proprietary stack, no risk of a dead-end technology. NativePHP is open source under the MIT license and backed by an active community in the Laravel ecosystem.
Strategic advantages for your business
Choosing NativePHP is not a purely technical decision. It affects budget planning, time to market and the long-term maintainability of your digital products.
- Investment protection instead of a rewrite. Your existing Laravel application becomes the foundation of the native app. Business logic, data models, security concepts and proven processes remain fully intact. You invest in extension, not replacement.
- Predictable total cost. One codebase for three platforms means one development team, one maintenance contract, one deployment process. Changes to your business logic automatically reach every platform, without tripling the effort.
- Faster time to market. Instead of parallel development in Swift, Kotlin and a separate web stack, our team works on one shared codebase. New features reach all platforms at the same time. Typical projects reach the app store in a fraction of the usual time.
- No vendor lock-in. NativePHP is open source under the MIT license. The code is yours, there are no license fees, no term contracts, no hidden dependencies. Full independence is guaranteed from day one.
- A proven ecosystem. NativePHP builds on Laravel, the most widely used PHP framework in the world with more than 1.8 million applications. A large talent pool, a mature toolchain and long-term development driven by a strong community.
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A process that creates planning certainty
Every project follows a structured process with clear responsibilities, defined milestones and transparent communication. At any point in time you know where your project stands, what comes next and which decisions are due.
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Strategic analysis and feasibility assessment:
Together we evaluate which parts of your existing application are suited for native delivery. You receive a reliable assessment of effort, timeline and expected outcome before you make an investment decision.
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Platform strategy and architecture concept:
Based on the analysis, we define the target platforms, the required native capabilities and the optimal depth of integration. The architecture concept takes your existing infrastructure, security requirements and release cycles into account.
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Iterative implementation with defined milestones:
Development runs in clearly defined sprints with measurable interim results. After each sprint you receive a working version you can test on real devices. Course corrections are possible at any time without extra cost.
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Quality assurance on every target platform:
Automated and manual tests on iOS, Android and desktop ensure your app meets the quality standards of the respective app stores. Performance benchmarks and security audits are an integral part of every release cycle.
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App store publication and rollout management:
We handle the complete submission process for the Apple App Store and Google Play. The rollout is controlled, on request starting as a beta with selected user groups before the wide release.
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Long-term maintenance and strategic development:
After launch, we keep operations stable through proactive monitoring, timely updates when operating systems change and regular security patches. We plan strategic enhancements with you on a quarterly basis.
Typical use cases
NativePHP delivers the greatest value where existing Laravel systems need to reach new channels, without giving up a proven architecture.
Customer portals as native apps
Your existing customer portal becomes an app on your users' home screens. Push notifications increase engagement, biometric login simplifies access, and offline access keeps the app usable on the go.
Internal tools and process applications
Internal Laravel systems, from order entry to resource planning, become available as native apps. Employees work directly on their devices, even without a permanent internet connection.
B2B platforms with app access
Trading platforms and B2B portals achieve higher usage frequency through native apps. Push notifications for new offers or status changes keep your business partners informed.
SaaS products with a desktop client
Your SaaS solution as an installable desktop app: faster access, persistent sessions, native system notifications. An additional distribution channel that measurably increases customer retention.
Field service and data collection
Technicians, sales reps and inspectors use the app with GPS, camera and offline storage in the field. Collected data syncs automatically as soon as a connection is available.
Making CRM and ERP systems mobile
Existing Laravel-based business systems become mobile applications. Decision-relevant data is available at any time, from the customer meeting to stock checks and approvals.
Compliance-ready professional applications
For industries with strict regulatory requirements: encrypted storage, biometric authentication and full control over data flows enable GDPR-compliant native applications.
Digital services for citizens and customers
Service portals and administrative applications reach a wider audience as native apps. Accessible interfaces and intuitive navigation significantly lower the barrier to entry.
An ecosystem built to last
NativePHP is part of the Laravel ecosystem, the most mature full-stack framework in the PHP world. Every technology we use is established, actively maintained and widely available on the market.
Collaboration that fits your structures
Fixed budgets, iterative development or a long-term partnership: we work in the model that matches your internal approval processes and planning cycles.
Does our existing Laravel application need to be rewritten to use NativePHP?
No. This is the decisive advantage of NativePHP over classic app frameworks: your existing Laravel application remains fully intact.
What actually happens
NativePHP embeds your Laravel app in a native shell: Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android, Electron for desktop. PHP is compiled directly into the app as an embeddable C library. Your routes, controllers, middleware, Eloquent models, and Blade views work exactly as they always have.
What changes
You simply add the native features your app needs:
- Push notifications: Controllable via a simple PHP API
- Biometric authentication: Face ID and Touch ID as an additional login option
- Camera access: For document scanning, QR codes, or photo capture
- GPS/geolocation: For location-based features
- Offline storage: Keep data locally and sync it once a connection is available
The integration effort
As a rule, the native extensions are integrated within a few sprints, depending on how many device features are required. The business logic, which makes up the bulk of your investment, is reused 1:1.
The result: You protect your existing investment and expand on it strategically, instead of devaluing it through a complete rebuild.
How does NativePHP compare to React Native or Flutter?
Choosing the right framework depends on your starting point and strategic goals. Here's an objective comparison:
React Native / Flutter
- Target audience: Teams with JavaScript or Dart expertise
- Codebase: Standalone codebase, separate from existing backend systems
- Backend connection: Requires a separate API layer (REST/GraphQL)
- Team structure: Typically requires a dedicated mobile development team
- Maintenance: Two codebases (backend + mobile) with separate release cycles
NativePHP
- Target audience: Teams with existing Laravel/PHP expertise
- Codebase: Identical codebase to the web application
- Backend connection: No API required, business logic runs directly in the app
- Team structure: Existing Laravel team can build and maintain the app
- Maintenance: One codebase for web, mobile, and desktop
When NativePHP is the right choice
- You already have a working Laravel application that you want to expand to new platforms
- Your team has PHP/Laravel expertise, not mobile specialists
- You want to consolidate development and maintenance costs instead of multiplying them
- Time-to-market is critical because you can build on existing logic
When React Native or Flutter are the better fit
- You're starting from scratch without an existing web application
- Your team has deep JavaScript/Dart expertise and no PHP experience
- You need highly complex native animations or real-time graphics processing
The bottom line: NativePHP isn't a universal solution, but it is the strategically optimal choice for companies with an existing Laravel infrastructure.
How long does it take to develop a NativePHP app?
The honest answer: it depends on your starting point. But that's exactly where the advantage of NativePHP comes in: you don't start from zero.
Scenario 1: Extending an existing Laravel app
If you already have a working Laravel application that needs to be shipped as a native app:
- Basic integration (app shell, navigation, basic packaging): 2-4 weeks
- Native features (push notifications, biometrics, camera, GPS): 2-6 weeks, depending on scope
- Quality assurance and app store submission: 2-3 weeks
Typical total timeframe: 6-12 weeks until app store release.
Scenario 2: New application built with NativePHP
If the Laravel application is developed in parallel with the native app:
- The timeframe matches that of a regular Laravel project, plus 2-4 weeks for native integration
- Advantage: native features can be factored in right from the start
What influences the timeframe
Speeds things up
- Clear, stable requirements
- An existing Laravel app with clean architecture
- Few native features needed
- Standard app store requirements
Slows things down
- Complex offline synchronization
- Extensive hardware integration (Bluetooth, NFC, sensors)
- Special compliance requirements (MDM, encrypted storage)
- Multilingual support and regional customization
Our approach
We start every project with a feasibility assessment and effort estimate that gives you solid figures before you commit to anything. The estimate is based on your specific application, not on generic benchmarks.
The result: NativePHP significantly shortens time to market because you're building on existing logic. You can invest the budget and time you save into better UX and more extensive native features.
How mature is NativePHP for productive use in enterprises?
A fair question for any technology decision. Here's an objective breakdown:
Current Status
- Version: NativePHP is currently at version 3.x, with documented major releases (1.x, 2.x, 3.x)
- License: MIT, fully open source, no licensing costs, no usage restrictions
- Active Development: Regular feature releases and bug fixes, active community
- Ecosystem: Plugin architecture with free and premium extensions
The Laravel Foundation
The real maturity comes from the underlying framework: Laravel is the most widely used PHP framework in the world, with over 1.8 million production applications. Your business logic, security concepts, and data models run on a framework that has been used in mission-critical systems for over a decade.
NativePHP simply adds the native delivery layer on top of this proven foundation.
Risk Assessment
Low Risk Areas
- Business Logic: Runs on Laravel, fully mature and battle-tested
- Database Layer: Eloquent ORM, used millions of times over
- Security Architecture: Laravel Security, regularly audited by the community
Factors to Consider
- Native APIs: NativePHP abstracts platform APIs. For highly specialized hardware requirements, feasibility should be verified in advance
- App Store Guidelines: Apple and Google regularly update their requirements. We monitor these continuously
Our Recommendation
We always recommend a feasibility assessment before starting a project. In a structured assessment, we check whether all required native functions are covered and identify any potential limitations, before you make an investment decision.
The bottom line: NativePHP is production-ready for business applications. The combination of a mature Laravel foundation and active NativePHP development provides a solid, reliable basis.
What about performance and app size?
Performance is a critical success factor for native apps, both for user experience and app store ratings. NativePHP delivers solid results here.
Concrete performance metrics
- Startup time: Sub-second startup times on current devices
- App size: Typical apps come in under 50 MB, comparable to native Swift/Kotlin apps
- Runtime performance: PHP 8.4 runs as a compiled C library, not interpreted
- UI rendering: Native WebView with hardware acceleration
Why this works
NativePHP doesn't rely on the classic PHP web server approach. Instead, PHP is embedded directly into the app and initialized once at startup. There's no HTTP overhead, no web server process, and no network latency between frontend and backend.
Optimization options
For especially demanding scenarios, we also rely on:
- Lazy loading: Resources are only loaded when needed
- Local caching: Frequently needed data is stored on the device
- Background processing: Time-intensive operations run asynchronously
- Asset optimization: Images and media are optimized for mobile devices
App store requirements
Both major app stores have requirements regarding performance and size. NativePHP apps reliably meet these:
- Apple App Store: Compliance with performance guidelines, no delays at startup
- Google Play: Optimized APK size, efficient resource usage
The result: NativePHP apps are performant enough for demanding business applications, without the compromises typically associated with hybrid frameworks.
What happens if NativePHP is no longer maintained?
This question addresses a central risk in any technology decision: long-term availability and maintainability. Here's our honest assessment:
Your business logic is protected
The most important point: your entire business logic lives in Laravel, not in NativePHP. NativePHP is merely the delivery layer, the container that brings your Laravel app to native platforms. If NativePHP were to disappear tomorrow, your complete application would remain fully functional as a web application.
Open source as a safeguard
NativePHP is released under the MIT license:
- Forking rights: Anyone can take over the code and continue development
- No vendor lock-in: No proprietary code, no license keys
- Community-driven: Even if the core team stops, the community can carry it forward
Alternative exit paths
Should a platform switch ever become necessary, proven alternatives are available:
- Capacitor/Ionic: Similar approach (WebView-based), well-documented migration path
- Electron (desktop): NativePHP already uses Electron, so switching to plain Electron is trivial
- Progressive Web App (PWA): Your Laravel app can be delivered as a PWA at any time, without a native container
- React Native / Flutter: The API layer can be added later if a platform switch becomes strategically sensible
Our architecture strategy
During development, we make sure that the NativePHP-specific parts remain minimal and replaceable:
- Native functions are accessed through an abstraction layer
- Business logic stays entirely within the Laravel layer
- Platform-specific code is isolated and documented
The result: You take on no strategic risk. Your investment lies in Laravel. NativePHP is the most efficient way to bring that investment to new platforms, but it's not the only option.
What ongoing costs arise after launch?
Transparency around total costs is essential for making a well-informed investment decision. Here's a complete breakdown of the ongoing costs you can expect:
App store fees
- Apple Developer Program: $99/year (required for iOS publishing)
- Google Play Developer: $25 one-time fee (required for Android publishing)
- Apple Enterprise Program: $299/year (only needed for internal distribution outside the App Store)
NativePHP-specific costs
- Framework: Free (MIT license)
- Free plugins: Browser, Camera, Device, Dialog, File, Microphone, Network, Share, System, all under the MIT license
- Premium plugins: One-time fees for Biometrics, Geolocation, Push Notifications, Scanner, and Secure Storage, no subscriptions, unlimited projects
Optional services
- Bifrost (cloud build service): Subscription for automated building, testing, and deployment, recommended but not strictly required
- Push notification services: Apple APNs (free) and Google FCM (free for standard volumes)
Maintenance and ongoing development
- OS updates: iOS and Android release major updates each year that may require adjustments
- Security patches: Regular updates for Laravel and NativePHP dependencies
- Feature development: Depending on your roadmap and business requirements
Cost comparison: NativePHP vs. native development
| Cost factor | NativePHP | Separate native apps |
|---|---|---|
| Development team | 1 Laravel team | 2-3 specialized teams |
| Maintenance effort | 1 codebase | 2-3 codebases |
| Feature rollout | Once for all platforms | Separately per platform |
| Knowledge transfer | Laravel expertise is enough | iOS + Android + web expertise needed |
The result: Ongoing costs are significantly lower than with separate native development. The biggest advantage comes from consolidating maintenance into a single codebase.
Thank you for your trust!
We have safely received your message and are delighted about your interest. Our team is already reviewing your inquiry carefully and will get in touch with you within one working day.
Should you have any further questions or require additional information in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to assist you and make your concerns our highest priority.
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