The free, open-source Ploi alternative
Cipi delivers the same one-command Laravel hosting workflow as Ploi.io — zero-downtime deploys, queues, SSL, databases — but it's 100% free, open source (MIT), runs entirely on your Ubuntu VPS, and has no deploy limits. Trade the GUI for full CLI control and AI-native automation.
Cipi vs Ploi at a glance
| Feature | Cipi | Ploi |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, forever | €8–30/mo per server |
| License | Open source (MIT) | Proprietary |
| Interface | CLI + REST API | Web GUI (SaaS) |
| Runs entirely on your VPS | Yes | No — SaaS |
| Deploy limits | None | Plan-dependent |
| Zero-downtime Git deploys | Yes | Yes |
| AI / MCP server | Dual MCP | No |
| Config encryption at rest (AES-256) | Yes | No |
| Server-to-server sync & failover | Yes | No |
| Built-in GUI, monitoring & DNS | No | Yes |
Why developers switch from Ploi to Cipi
No monthly fee
Ploi bills €8–30/month per server. Cipi is free for every server, forever — no plan tiers, no upgrades.
No deploy limits
Cipi never caps how often you deploy. Push as many releases as you want across all your apps and servers.
No SaaS dependency
Ploi controls your servers from its panel. Cipi lives on your VPS and keeps working even if you have no internet panel access.
Open source & auditable
MIT-licensed — read, audit, fork and modify. Ploi is a closed-source SaaS.
AI-native with dual MCP
Per-app and global MCP servers enable full AI-driven infrastructure management from any MCP-compatible IDE or agent.
Encryption at rest + sovereignty
All configs are encrypted with AES-256-CBC on your VPS, and built-in encrypted server sync enables automated failover.
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 Ploi is still the better choice
Ploi is EU-based (Netherlands) and natively GDPR-compliant, with a polished web GUI, built-in monitoring and DNS management. If you want a Forge-like visual experience at a lower price point and don't need CLI-first pipeline automation or AI integration, Ploi is a strong option.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Ploi?
Yes. Cipi is a free, open-source (MIT) and self-hosted alternative to Ploi.io. It installs and manages a complete Laravel production stack on any Ubuntu VPS with no monthly subscription, no per-server fee, and no deploy limits.
What is the difference between Cipi and Ploi?
Ploi is a SaaS server-management panel with a polished GUI that starts at around €8/month per server. Cipi is a free, open-source CLI that runs entirely on your VPS and adds a REST API, a dual MCP server for AI agents, AES-256 config encryption at rest, and built-in server-to-server sync.
Does Cipi have deploy limits like some Ploi-style free tiers?
No. Cipi has no deploy quotas or limits of any kind. You can deploy as often as you like, across as many servers and apps as you want, for free.
When should I still choose Ploi?
Choose Ploi if you want a polished web GUI, built-in monitoring and DNS management, and a Forge-like experience at a lower price point, and you don't need CLI-first pipeline automation or AI integration.
