The self-hosted fortrabbit alternative
Comparison last updated: · reflects Cipi 5 and current fortrabbit pricing/features
fortrabbit is a managed PHP cloud — Git deploys, SSH/SFTP, MySQL, MCP, CLI and a developer dashboard, from €4.50/month in Ireland or Virginia. Cipi is the opposite: you own a VPS at any provider, with full root access, a fixed predictable cost, and Laravel-first tooling — while still deploying in minutes. Free, open source, and entirely CLI-driven.
Cipi vs fortrabbit at a glance
| Feature | Cipi | fortrabbit |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free + fixed VPS cost | From €4.50/mo + usage |
| License | Open source (MIT) | Proprietary |
| Root / SSH access | Full root on your VPS | SSH/SFTP on managed app |
| Own the infrastructure | Yes — any provider | No — AWS managed |
| No vendor lock-in | Portable stack | Tied to fortrabbit PaaS |
| Laravel Octane (FrankenPHP) | Yes — CLI native | PHP PaaS, not Octane-first |
| CLI & pipeline automation | Yes | frbit CLI + API |
| AI / MCP server | Dual MCP | MCP + agent skills |
| Focus | Laravel-first on Ubuntu | Managed PHP (Craft, Statamic, Kirby, Laravel, WP) |
| Collaboration / billing | Optional self-hosted GUI | Teams, clients, payment methods |
| Config encryption at rest (AES-256) | On your VPS | Managed infra |
| Zero server management | You run the VPS | Fully managed |
Why teams choose Cipi over fortrabbit
Predictable, fixed cost
Cipi is free; you pay only for the VPS at a flat price. fortrabbit starts at €4.50/mo and bills a managed PHP cloud — cheaper than many PaaS options, still a recurring vendor fee.
You own the server
Full root on any provider — Hetzner, OVH, DigitalOcean, AWS or bare metal. fortrabbit gives SSH/SFTP into the app environment, not the underlying machine.
No vendor lock-in
Cipi uses a standard, portable Ubuntu + Nginx + PHP-FPM / Laravel Octane + MariaDB (optional PostgreSQL) + Supervisor stack you can reproduce anywhere.
Laravel-first depth
Octane on FrankenPHP, Horizon, Reverb, Deployer, artisan shortcuts and queue workers are first-class CLI features — not a generic PHP runtime you configure yourself.
Open source & AI-native
MIT-licensed and auditable, with a dual MCP server (per-app and global). fortrabbit also ships MCP and agent skills, but the control plane stays theirs.
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.
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.
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 fortrabbit is the better choice
fortrabbit wins on a polished PHP-only PaaS: GitHub deploys and build commands, persistent storage with SSH/SFTP, collaboration (teams, clients, payment methods), built-in MySQL and backups, Ireland (EU) and Virginia (US) regions, and fourteen years of PHP hosting. If you want managed PHP cloud without owning a VPS — and you like their dashboard, MCP and CLI — fortrabbit is a strong fit. Cipi is for teams that want to own the box, fix the bill, and automate Laravel from the CLI.
How to migrate from fortrabbit to Cipi
Moving from fortrabbit 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 (or PHP) codebase does not need to change.
- Export your data from fortrabbit. Dump MySQL, sync persistent files over SFTP/rsync, and note environment variables, build commands and queue/job settings so you can recreate them on your VPS.
- 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 there a self-hosted alternative to fortrabbit?
Yes. Cipi is a free, open-source (MIT) and self-hosted alternative to fortrabbit. Instead of a managed PHP PaaS on AWS, 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 fortrabbit?
fortrabbit is a managed PHP cloud with a dashboard, SSH/SFTP, Git deploys, MCP and a CLI, starting at about €4.50/month. Cipi runs on your own VPS with full root access and a fixed cost, is open source, and is Laravel-first (Octane, Horizon, Reverb) with a dual MCP server and config encryption at rest.
Is Cipi cheaper than fortrabbit?
Cipi itself is free; your only cost is the VPS, at a fixed monthly price. fortrabbit is inexpensive for a PaaS but remains a recurring vendor bill on top of the hosting they provide.
When should I still choose fortrabbit?
Choose fortrabbit if you want managed PHP hosting without running a VPS, value their collaboration model (teams, clients, billing), want SSH/SFTP with persistent storage, and are happy in Ireland or Virginia.
Can I migrate from fortrabbit to Cipi?
Yes. Provision an Ubuntu VPS, install Cipi, recreate each app with cipi app create, restore the database, copy environment values and assets, then point DNS. You trade a managed PHP PaaS for a fixed VPS cost and full root.
Does Cipi support Laravel Octane like a modern PHP host?
Yes. Cipi runs Laravel Octane on FrankenPHP natively: create Octane apps with cipi app create --octane or convert existing apps with cipi app convert --to=octane, running alongside classic PHP-FPM apps on the same server.
