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Smarty

Twig replaced it in PHP. React replaced PHP templating entirely.

Smarty was the standard PHP template engine — compiled templates, caching, template inheritance. It solved real problems when server-rendered HTML was the only option.

React, Vue, and modern frontend frameworks made server-side template engines obsolete for anything interactive. Even for server-rendered pages, PHP itself handles templating fine without an additional abstraction layer. Smarty adds complexity and a custom syntax that new developers won't know.

templatesfrontendphp

HoldTwigModern PHP templating. Clean syntax, secure defaults.AdoptTypeScriptThe default for any serious JavaScript project.AdoptReactStill the best trade-off of ecosystem, hiring, and capability.HoldNext.jsGrowing complexity and Vercel coupling. Watching the direction.AdoptTailwind CSSReplaced component libraries as the pragmatic choice for rapid UI.

Stuck on this? We can move you off it.

The studio has migrated teams off tools like this and onto something it does ship in production. Book a free intro call to map the move, or get in touch. Or explore the studio’s Custom Software Development service.

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Smarty

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Stuck on this? We can move you off it.