The free, Laravel-native RunCloud alternative
Comparison last updated: · reflects Cipi 5 and current RunCloud pricing/features
RunCloud is a PHP control panel, but it isn't Laravel-native — deploying Laravel means wiring up Deployer, queues and artisan by hand. Cipi understands Laravel out of the box: automatic Deployer integration, queue workers, zero-downtime releases — free, open source, and fully CLI-driven on your own Ubuntu VPS.
Cipi vs RunCloud at a glance
| Feature | Cipi | RunCloud |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, forever | $12–18/mo per server |
| License | Open source (MIT) | Proprietary |
| Interface | CLI + REST API + optional GUI | Web GUI (SaaS) |
| Laravel-native (Deployer, artisan, queues) | Yes | No — manual setup |
| Laravel Octane (FrankenPHP) | Yes — CLI native | No — manual |
| Zero-downtime Git deploys | Yes | Scripts only |
| Runs entirely on your VPS | Yes | No — SaaS |
| AI / MCP server | Dual MCP | No |
| Config encryption at rest (AES-256) | Yes | No |
| Apache support / WordPress focus | No (Laravel-first) | Yes |
| PostgreSQL support | Optional | Yes |
Why Laravel developers switch from RunCloud to Cipi
Laravel-native, zero config
Cipi auto-configures Deployer, artisan shortcuts, Supervisor queue workers and the shared directory structure. RunCloud needs manual wiring.
$0 instead of $12–18/mo
RunCloud bills per server every month. Cipi is free for all your servers, forever.
True zero-downtime releases
Webhook-driven, atomic releases for GitHub & GitLab in one command — not hand-written deploy scripts.
No SaaS dependency
Cipi runs entirely on your VPS; RunCloud manages servers from its own cloud panel.
AI-native with dual MCP
Manage apps, deploys and SSL across the whole server from any MCP-compatible IDE or agent.
Open source & encrypted at rest
MIT-licensed and auditable, with all configs encrypted using AES-256-CBC on your server.
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 RunCloud is still the better choice
RunCloud supports both Nginx and Apache and is popular for WordPress and generic PHP hosting with a friendly visual panel. If your workload is mostly WordPress or non-Laravel PHP and you prefer a GUI, RunCloud is a reasonable fit.
How to migrate from RunCloud to Cipi
Moving from RunCloud 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 RunCloud panel. List your web applications, cron jobs, supervisor jobs and databases so you can recreate them on the new 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 free alternative to RunCloud?
Yes. Cipi is a free, open-source (MIT) and self-hosted alternative to RunCloud. It installs and manages a complete production stack on any Ubuntu VPS with no monthly subscription and no per-server fee.
What is the difference between Cipi and RunCloud?
RunCloud is a PHP-oriented SaaS control panel ($12–18/month per server) that is not Laravel-native: no built-in Deployer, no artisan shortcuts, and no automatic Supervisor configuration for Laravel queues. Cipi is Laravel-native and handles all of this automatically, for free, from the CLI.
Is Cipi better than RunCloud for Laravel?
For Laravel specifically, Cipi gives you far more out of the box — automatic Deployer integration, artisan commands, queue workers and zero-downtime releases — at zero cost. RunCloud requires manual configuration of pieces Cipi handles automatically.
When should I still choose RunCloud?
Choose RunCloud if you host mostly WordPress or generic PHP apps, need Apache support alongside Nginx, and prefer a visual web panel over a CLI-first workflow.
Can I migrate from RunCloud 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. Your Laravel codebase itself needs no changes.
Does Cipi have a web dashboard like RunCloud?
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 RunCloud, the dashboard is opt-in and runs on your own infrastructure; Cipi remains fully usable from the CLI alone.
