Symfony Development · Bath & Bristol
I'm a freelance Symfony developer based in Wiltshire near Bath and Bristol, working with PHP backends when Symfony is the right fit. Symfony is a set of reusable PHP components and a full-stack framework – less opinionated than Laravel, with flexibility that suits large codebases, long-lived projects, and organisations with strict architectural requirements. I work with clients across the South West and UK on existing Symfony projects, enterprise PHP, and technical direction.
For most new builds I recommend Laravel first – it's faster to ship with and scales well. I use Symfony when it's the right fit: existing Symfony codebases, clients who've standardised on Symfony, or problems that benefit from Symfony's modularity. If you're looking for a Symfony developer in Bath or Bristol – or a freelance PHP developer who can maintain or extend your Symfony app – get in touch. See also my Laravel development page for new builds and startups.
Symfony Development
Symfony gives you a flexible, component-based foundation: you compose what you need. That suits teams who want maximum control over architecture, long-lived applications, and enterprise PHP environments. I work with Symfony's HTTP kernel, routing, services, Doctrine ORM, and the broader ecosystem – including API Platform when you need API-first backends.
Based near Bath and Bristol, I work with agencies and product teams across Wiltshire and the UK on custom Symfony applications, integrations, and the more technical parts of projects. If your team needs a freelance Symfony developer for capacity or expertise, get in touch – I'm happy to discuss your Symfony project.
Symfony or Laravel?
"Symfony vs Laravel" is one of the most common questions I get from teams looking for a PHP developer. My positioning is simple: Laravel first for new work; Symfony when it's the right fit. That might mean an existing Symfony project, a client who's standardised on Symfony, or a problem that benefits from Symfony's modularity. I've written a practical comparison: Symfony vs Laravel: when to choose which.
Don't choose Symfony just because it's "more enterprise" – Laravel scales to serious traffic and complexity too. Choose Symfony when you already have a Symfony codebase, need maximum flexibility, or are in an environment where Symfony is the standard. For most new greenfield work in Bath, Bristol, Wiltshire and the UK, I recommend Laravel. Get in touch if you'd like to talk through which framework fits your project.
Symfony Maintenance & Upgrades
Long-lived Symfony applications need maintenance: security updates, PHP and framework upgrades, and refactoring as requirements change. I help teams in the South West and UK keep their Symfony apps secure, up to date, and maintainable. That includes planning upgrades (e.g. Symfony 5 to 6 to 7), deprecation fixes, and performance improvements.
If your Symfony project needs an extra pair of hands for maintenance, upgrades, or new features, I can help. As a freelance Symfony developer in Bath, Bristol and Wiltshire, I work with existing codebases and integrate with your team. Get in touch if you'd like to discuss maintenance, upgrades, or new feature work.
Enterprise PHP
Symfony is widely used in enterprise PHP: large codebases, strict architectural requirements, and teams that value flexibility over convention. I work with organisations across the UK – including in Bath, Bristol and Wiltshire – on Symfony applications that need capacity, expertise, or technical leadership. That includes APIs, integrations, and backend services that sit alongside existing systems.
If you're looking for a Symfony developer or freelance PHP developer for enterprise work – whether outsource capacity or a dedicated technical focus – get in touch and we can discuss your needs. I also offer Laravel development for new builds and startups.