The Laravel-native Dokku alternative
Comparison last updated: · reflects Cipi 5 and current Dokku pricing/features
Dokku and Cipi are both free and open source (MIT). Dokku is a self-hosted Heroku — git push to deploy Docker containers with a rich plugin ecosystem. Cipi is Laravel-first, runs apps on a native LEMP stack, and adds full server management CLI, Deployer, dual MCP, encryption at rest, and server sync.
Cipi vs Dokku at a glance
| Feature | Cipi | Dokku |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, forever | Free, forever |
| License | Open source (MIT) | Open source (MIT) |
| Interface | CLI + REST API + optional GUI | CLI (git push) |
| Deployment model | Native LEMP stack | Docker via git push |
| Full server management | Yes | PaaS-focused |
| Laravel-native (Deployer, artisan, queues) | Yes | No |
| Laravel Octane (FrankenPHP) | Yes — CLI native | No |
| AI / MCP server | Dual MCP | No |
| Config encryption at rest (AES-256) | Yes | No |
| Server-to-server sync & failover | Yes | No |
| Git push deploy simplicity | Webhook Git deploys | Yes — core workflow |
| Plugin ecosystem | Native stack | Yes |
| PostgreSQL support | Optional | Plugins |
Why Laravel teams pick Cipi over Dokku
Built for Laravel
Deployer, artisan shortcuts, automatic queue workers and zero-downtime Git deploys are built in — Dokku treats PHP as one of many containerized buildpacks.
Native LEMP, no Docker
Run PHP-FPM directly on the host for lower memory use, simpler debugging, and no container layer to maintain.
Full server management CLI
Provision servers, manage SSL, databases, and the complete app lifecycle — not just PaaS-style git push deploys.
Webhook zero-downtime deploys
One-command, atomic releases for GitHub & GitLab — designed for Laravel, not bolted on.
AI-native with dual MCP
Per-app and global MCP servers for full AI-driven infrastructure management from any MCP-compatible agent.
Encryption at rest & server sync
AES-256-CBC Vault encryption for all configs, plus built-in encrypted server-to-server sync for failover replication.
Laravel Octane (FrankenPHP)
Create or convert apps with cipi app create --octane / cipi app convert --to=octane. Run Octane beside classic FPM apps, plus first-class Horizon and Reverb — no SaaS panel required.
Optional PostgreSQL
MariaDB by default; install PostgreSQL with one command and pick an engine per app (cipi db install pgsql).
Install Cipi in one command
Spin up a fresh Ubuntu VPS, then run:
That installs and configures the full production stack — Nginx, PHP-FPM / Laravel Octane, MariaDB, optional PostgreSQL, Redis and Supervisor. See the getting started guide.
Where Dokku is the better choice
Dokku is an excellent self-hosted PaaS if you want git push simplicity, a rich plugin ecosystem, container workflows, and a minimal learning curve for Heroku refugees. If your workflow is git push-first and you value container isolation over Laravel-specific automation or a native PHP stack, Dokku is well worth evaluating.
How to migrate from Dokku to Cipi
Moving from Dokku to Cipi is a clean cutover rather than an in-place conversion: you stand up a fresh server next to your current setup, deploy from the same Git repository, and switch DNS when everything checks out. Your Laravel codebase does not need to change.
- Take inventory of your Dokku apps. List your apps with dokku apps:list and export databases from the Postgres or MySQL plugins you use.
- Provision a fresh Ubuntu VPS and install Cipi. Any provider works (Hetzner, DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode, AWS). On Ubuntu 24.04/26.04 run
wget -O - https://cipi.sh/setup.sh | bashand the full production stack — Nginx, PHP, MariaDB, Valkey, Supervisor — is configured in minutes. - Recreate each app and connect Git.
cipi app createprovisions an isolated app with its own system user, database, PHP pool and Nginx vhost (add--octanefor Laravel Octane). Connecting GitHub or GitLab configures deploy keys and webhooks automatically for zero-downtime deploys. - Move data and cut over. Import your database dump, copy your
.envvalues, issue HTTPS certificates withcipi ssl install, then point DNS at the new server and retire the old setup.
Cipi uses standard Nginx, PHP-FPM / Laravel Octane and Deployer conventions, so there is no vendor-specific configuration to unwind later. Full details in the getting started guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cipi a good Dokku alternative for Laravel?
Yes. Both are free and open source. Dokku is a self-hosted Heroku-style PaaS with git push Docker deploys; Cipi is Laravel-first, runs apps on a native LEMP stack with Deployer, artisan, queues, dual MCP, encryption at rest, and full server management CLI.
What is the difference between Cipi and Dokku?
Dokku deploys applications as Docker containers via git push with a plugin ecosystem — great for Heroku-style workflows. Cipi installs and manages a traditional LEMP stack directly on Ubuntu, is operated from the CLI, and is purpose-built for Laravel with Deployer integration, automatic queue workers, AES-256 config encryption, and server sync.
Does Cipi use Docker like Dokku?
No. Dokku is container-first — every app runs in Docker via git push. Cipi uses a native Nginx, PHP-FPM, MariaDB (optional PostgreSQL), and Supervisor stack on the host OS. For standard Laravel apps this means lower overhead, simpler debugging, and no container layer to manage.
When should I still choose Dokku?
Choose Dokku if you want git push simplicity, a rich plugin ecosystem, container workflows, and a minimal learning curve for Heroku refugees — and you do not need Laravel-specific automation, a native PHP stack, or full server management beyond PaaS deploys.
Can I migrate from Dokku to Cipi?
Yes. Provision a fresh Ubuntu VPS, install Cipi with one command, recreate each app with cipi app create, connect your GitHub or GitLab repository for zero-downtime deploys, import your database dump, then point DNS at the new server. No buildpacks or Dockerfiles are needed.
Does Cipi support push-to-deploy like Dokku?
Yes, via Git webhooks: connect GitHub or GitLab once and every push to your production branch triggers a zero-downtime deployment — the same workflow, with no buildpacks or containers involved.
