The self-hosted Laravel Cloud alternative
Laravel Cloud abstracts the server away with a usage-based PaaS on AWS. Cipi is the opposite: you own a VPS at any provider, with full root access, a fixed predictable cost, and no vendor lock-in — while still deploying Laravel in minutes. Free, open source, and entirely CLI-driven.
Cipi vs Laravel Cloud at a glance
| Feature | Cipi | Laravel Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free + fixed VPS cost | Usage-based (compute, DB, bandwidth) |
| License | Open source (MIT) | Proprietary |
| Root / SSH access | Full control | No — managed PaaS |
| Own the infrastructure | Yes — any provider | No — AWS managed |
| No vendor lock-in | Portable stack | Tied to managed AWS |
| CLI & pipeline automation | Yes | API + dashboard |
| AI / MCP server | Dual MCP | API only |
| Config encryption at rest (AES-256) | On your VPS | Managed infra |
| Autoscaling, scale-to-zero, edge/DDoS | No | Yes |
| Zero server management | You run the VPS | Fully managed |
Why teams choose Cipi over Laravel Cloud
Predictable, fixed cost
Cipi is free; you pay only for the VPS at a flat price. Laravel Cloud bills usage that scales with traffic and can be hard to forecast.
You own the server
Full root and SSH on any provider — Hetzner, OVH, DigitalOcean, AWS or bare metal. Cloud never gives you the underlying machine.
No vendor lock-in
Cipi uses a standard, portable Ubuntu + Nginx + PHP-FPM + MariaDB + Supervisor stack you can reproduce anywhere.
No SaaS dependency
Cipi lives on your VPS and keeps running independently of any external control plane.
Open source & AI-native
MIT-licensed and auditable, with a dual MCP server for full AI-driven infrastructure management.
Encryption at rest + sovereignty
All configs encrypted with AES-256-CBC on a VPS in the region you choose — no infrastructure data leaves your machine.
Install Cipi in one command
Spin up a fresh Ubuntu VPS, then run:
That installs and configures the full production stack — Nginx, PHP, MariaDB, Redis and Supervisor. See the getting started guide.
Where Laravel Cloud is the better choice
Laravel Cloud wins on zero server management, one-click autoscaling and scale-to-zero, managed databases and cache, a global edge network with DDoS protection, automatic load balancing, and managed queues — all without ever touching a server. If you want a serverless-style experience and don't want to own or manage a VPS, Cloud is the better fit.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a self-hosted alternative to Laravel Cloud?
Yes. Cipi is a free, open-source (MIT) and self-hosted alternative to Laravel Cloud. Instead of a usage-based managed PaaS, you own a VPS at any provider and Cipi installs and manages the full production stack on it.
What is the difference between Cipi and Laravel Cloud?
Laravel Cloud is a fully-managed, usage-based PaaS on AWS where you never get root or SSH access. Cipi runs on your own VPS with full root access and a fixed, predictable cost, is open source, and offers CLI automation, a dual MCP server, and config encryption at rest.
Is Cipi cheaper than Laravel Cloud?
Cipi itself is free; your only cost is the VPS, at a fixed monthly price. Laravel Cloud is usage-based — compute, databases, cache, bandwidth and storage are billed as you consume them, so costs scale with traffic and can be harder to predict.
When should I still choose Laravel Cloud?
Choose Laravel Cloud if you want zero server management, one-click autoscaling and scale-to-zero, managed databases and cache, a global edge network with DDoS protection, and you're comfortable with a usage-based bill.
