How convenient is it to write tests and run Selenium?

Question

Software testing

I want to run and test the ajax interface with phantomjs/chrome from the console.
Of course, I would like to write JavaScript tests (use selectors) and not through the IDE. As I understand it does not support PHP.
Where to look where to start, so that it is a scheme that is convenient for deployment, for locale and server?
So far I've only found Selenide, but I'm just figuring it out further.
I also found: webdriver.io
I would be grateful for the hint of libraries, stack ..
Are there any analogues?
Thank you.