For PHP, you upload index.php, go to yoursite.com/index.php, and it works. Node isn't like that at all. For example, here's the "Hello World" guide for getting Node started:
That's not inherent to PHP. It's just how most hosts are set up. The only major difference is the order in which things are done (and the necessity to have shell access to the host.)
The real comparison is this:
# PHP #
1. Install a server
2. (Possibly optional) Install a process manager
3. (Possibly optional) Configure the process manager
4. Configure the server
5. Start the server
6. Upload files
# Node #
1. Install Node
2. Upload files
3. Start the server
That's not inherent to PHP. It's just how most hosts are set up. The only major difference is the order in which things are done (and the necessity to have shell access to the host.)
The real comparison is this:
# PHP # 1. Install a server 2. (Possibly optional) Install a process manager 3. (Possibly optional) Configure the process manager 4. Configure the server 5. Start the server 6. Upload files
# Node # 1. Install Node 2. Upload files 3. Start the server