How to Setup MongoDB with Laravel

In modern web applications, developers often look for flexible and scalable database solutions — and that’s where MongoDB shines. Unlike traditional SQL databases, MongoDB stores data in a document-oriented format, making it ideal for projects that handle dynamic, unstructured, or rapidly evolving data. Integrating it with Laravel allows you to enjoy the power of MongoDB’s flexibility while still using Laravel’s elegant and expressive syntax.

This step-by-step guide walks you through the complete process of integrating MongoDB with a Laravel application using the official mongodb/laravel-mongodb package. You’ll learn how to install all required dependencies, properly configure your .env and database settings, and seamlessly perform basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations with MongoDB — all while maintaining Laravel’s familiar Eloquent-style syntax. By the end, you’ll have a fully functional Laravel app connected to MongoDB, ready for development or production use.

👉 View full project on GitHub

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🧩 Prerequisites

• PHP (compatible with your Laravel version)
• Composer
• MongoDB instance (local or MongoDB Atlas)

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⚙️ Step 1 — Install the MongoDB Laravel Package

Install the MongoDB driver for Laravel via Composer:

composer require mongodb/laravel-mongodb

If you must bypass the PHP extension check (not recommended for production):

composer require mongodb/laravel-mongodb --ignore-platform-req=ext-mongodb

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🧾 Step 2 — Configure the .env File

Set your database connection details:

DB_CONNECTION=mongodb
MONGODB_URI="mongodb+srv://<username>:<password>@cluster0.mongodb.net"
MONGODB_DATABASE=laravel_mongo_demo

Replace <username>, <password>, and cluster/database names as needed.

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🛠 Step 3 — Update config/database.php

Add or update the MongoDB connection settings:

'mongodb' => [
    'driver'   => 'mongodb',
    'dsn'      => env('MONGODB_URI'),
    'database' => env('MONGODB_DATABASE'),
],

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📄 Step 4 — Create a Model and Use It

Create a model named Post:

php artisan make:model Post

Example CRUD operations using Eloquent-style syntax:

// Create a new document
App\Models\Post::create([
    'title'  => 'First Post',
    'body'   => 'Testing MongoDB with Laravel.',
    'author' => 'Admin',
    'status' => 'published',
]);

// Fetch all documents
App\Models\Post::all();

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💻 Step 5 — Quick Test with Artisan Tinker

Open Tinker to test your model:

php artisan tinker

Run the example create/fetch commands above to verify the connection.

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⚡ Optional — Install the PHP MongoDB Extension

For better performance and full driver support, install the mongodb PHP extension.

1. Install via PECL or your system’s package manager.
2. On Windows (WAMP/XAMPP):
• Download the correct MongoDB DLL from PECL.
• Place it in your PHP ext folder (e.g., C:\wamp64\bin\php\\ext).
• Add extension=mongodb in php.ini.
• Restart your server and verify with:

php -m | find "mongodb"

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🐞 Troubleshooting

• If php artisan tinker fails, ensure the MongoDB extension is enabled.
• If connection fails, verify your MONGODB_URI and Atlas network settings.
• Check logs at storage/logs/laravel.log for driver issues.

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📚 References

• jenssegers/laravel-mongodb (GitHub)
• PHP MongoDB extension (PECL)

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✅ Conclusion

Connecting MongoDB with Laravel is simple and efficient with the mongodb/laravel-mongodb package. By configuring your environment and updating a few settings, you can start using MongoDB’s flexible schema and Eloquent-like features right away.

🚀 Explore the full code here: Setup MongoDB with Laravel (GitHub)

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Author: Rana Saha