The free, open-source Ploi alternative
Comparison last updated: · reflects Cipi 5 and current Ploi pricing/features
Cipi delivers the same one-command Laravel hosting workflow as Ploi.io — zero-downtime deploys, Laravel Octane, 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 + optional GUI | Web GUI (SaaS) |
| Runs entirely on your VPS | Yes | No — SaaS |
| Deploy limits | None | Plan-dependent |
| Zero-downtime Git deploys | Yes | Yes |
| Laravel Octane (FrankenPHP) | Yes — CLI native | 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 | Optional GUI | Yes |
| PostgreSQL support | Optional | 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.
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 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.
How to migrate from Ploi to Cipi
Moving from Ploi 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 in the Ploi panel. List your sites, daemons, cron jobs and databases so you can recreate them on the new server, and keep Ploi active until the cutover is done.
- 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 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.
Can I migrate from Ploi to Cipi?
Yes. Provision a fresh Ubuntu VPS, install Cipi with one command, recreate each site 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. Your Laravel codebase itself needs no changes.
Does Cipi have a web dashboard like Ploi?
Yes, optionally. Running cipi gui yourdomain.com installs a free, self-hosted web control panel that manages one or more Cipi servers from the browser — apps, databases, SSL, deploys and logs. Unlike Ploi, the dashboard is opt-in and runs on your own infrastructure; Cipi remains fully usable from the CLI alone.
