The self-hosted Laravel Cloud alternative
Comparison last updated: · reflects Cipi 5 and current Laravel Cloud pricing/features
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 |
| Laravel Octane (FrankenPHP) | Yes — CLI native | Yes |
| 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 |
| PostgreSQL support | Optional | 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 / Laravel Octane + MariaDB (optional PostgreSQL) + 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.
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 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.
How to migrate from Laravel Cloud to Cipi
Moving from Laravel Cloud 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.
- Export your data from Laravel Cloud. Dump your production database and note the environment variables each app needs (queues, cache, mail, storage) so you can recreate them on your own server.
- 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 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.
Can I migrate from Laravel Cloud to Cipi?
Yes. Since your app is standard Laravel, you can provision an Ubuntu VPS, install Cipi, create the app with cipi app create (add --octane to keep running Octane), restore your database dump, copy your environment values and point DNS. You trade usage-based PaaS billing for a fixed, predictable VPS cost.
Does Cipi support Laravel Octane like Laravel Cloud?
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.
