Pros of Markdown

• Offers multiple parsing flavors (GFM, traditional, extra)
• Provides more extensive configuration options
• Supports parsing into an abstract syntax tree (AST)

Cons of Markdown

• Slightly slower parsing speed
• Less actively maintained (fewer recent updates)
• May require more setup for basic usage

Code Comparison

Parsedown:

$parsedown = new Parsedown();
$html = $parsedown->text('# Hello, World!');

Markdown:

$parser = new \cebe\markdown\GithubMarkdown();
$html = $parser->parse('# Hello, World!');

Both libraries offer simple usage for basic Markdown parsing. However, Markdown provides more flexibility with different flavors:

$parser = new \cebe\markdown\Markdown(); // Traditional Markdown
$parser = new \cebe\markdown\GithubMarkdown(); // GitHub Flavored Markdown
$parser = new \cebe\markdown\MarkdownExtra(); // Markdown Extra

This allows developers to choose the most appropriate parsing style for their specific needs, whereas Parsedown focuses on a single, optimized implementation.

Pros of PHP Markdown

• More extensive feature set, including support for extra syntax extensions
• Longer development history and established reputation in the PHP community
• Offers multiple parsing modes (fast, regular, extra) for different use cases

Cons of PHP Markdown

• Generally slower performance compared to Parsedown
• Less frequent updates and maintenance
• More complex codebase, potentially harder to contribute to or customize

Code Comparison

PHP Markdown:

$parser = new Michelf\Markdown();
$html = $parser->transform($markdown);

Parsedown:

$parser = new Parsedown();
$html = $parser->text($markdown);

Both libraries offer simple APIs for converting Markdown to HTML, but Parsedown's method is slightly more concise.

Key Differences

• Parsedown is known for its speed and simplicity, making it a good choice for projects where performance is crucial
• PHP Markdown offers more features and compatibility with various Markdown flavors, suitable for projects requiring advanced Markdown support
• Parsedown has a more active development cycle with frequent updates
• PHP Markdown provides more granular control over parsing options

Use Cases

• Choose Parsedown for projects prioritizing speed and simplicity
• Opt for PHP Markdown when advanced Markdown features or specific syntax extensions are needed
• Consider PHP Markdown for legacy projects or those requiring strict CommonMark compliance

Pros of CommonMark

• More compliant with the CommonMark specification
• Offers a more extensible architecture for custom syntax and renderers
• Provides better support for advanced Markdown features like tables and task lists

Cons of CommonMark

• Generally slower parsing speed compared to Parsedown
• Steeper learning curve for customization and extension
• Larger codebase and potentially higher memory usage

Code Comparison

Parsedown:

$parsedown = new Parsedown();
$html = $parsedown->text('# Hello, world!');

CommonMark:

use League\CommonMark\CommonMarkConverter;

$converter = new CommonMarkConverter();
$html = $converter->convertToHtml('# Hello, world!');

Both libraries offer simple ways to convert Markdown to HTML, but CommonMark provides more options for configuration and customization:

$config = [
    'html_input' => 'strip',
    'allow_unsafe_links' => false,
];
$converter = new CommonMarkConverter($config);

CommonMark's extensibility allows for easy addition of custom syntax:

use League\CommonMark\Environment\Environment;
use League\CommonMark\Extension\CommonMark\CommonMarkCoreExtension;
use League\CommonMark\Extension\Table\TableExtension;

$environment = new Environment();
$environment->addExtension(new CommonMarkCoreExtension());
$environment->addExtension(new TableExtension());

Pros of html5-php

• Full HTML5 parsing and serialization capabilities
• Supports DOM manipulation and traversal
• More comprehensive HTML handling, including error correction

Cons of html5-php

• Larger library size and potentially higher resource usage
• Steeper learning curve due to more complex API
• May be overkill for simple HTML processing tasks

Code Comparison

Parsedown:

$parsedown = new Parsedown();
$html = $parsedown->text('# Hello, world!');

html5-php:

$html = <<< EOD
<html><body><h1>Hello, world!</h1></body></html>
EOD;
$dom = HTML5::loadHTML($html);
$h1 = $dom->getElementsByTagName('h1')->item(0);

Summary

Parsedown is a lightweight Markdown parser, ideal for simple conversions. html5-php is a full-featured HTML5 parser and serializer, better suited for complex HTML manipulation tasks. Parsedown is easier to use for basic Markdown-to-HTML conversion, while html5-php offers more power and flexibility for working with HTML documents but requires more setup and knowledge to use effectively.