The self-hosted Sevalla alternative
Comparison last updated: · reflects Cipi 5 and current Sevalla pricing/features
Sevalla is Kinsta's application platform — apps, databases, object storage and static sites, MCP for agents, pay-for-what-you-use, 25 data centers. 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 Sevalla at a glance
| Feature | Cipi | Sevalla |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free + fixed VPS cost | Resource-based (no plans) |
| License | Open source (MIT) | Proprietary (Kinsta) |
| Root / SSH access | Full control | No — managed platform |
| Own the infrastructure | Yes — any provider | No — Sevalla-managed |
| No vendor lock-in | Portable stack | Apps + DB + storage on Sevalla |
| Laravel Octane (FrankenPHP) | Yes — CLI native | DIY via Dockerfile / image |
| CLI & pipeline automation | Yes | Git, Docker, MCP |
| AI / MCP server | Dual MCP | Sevalla MCP |
| Stack | Native Laravel LEMP | Apps, DBs, object storage, static sites |
| Global regions / edge | Wherever you rent a VPS | 25 DCs, 260+ PoPs |
| 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 Sevalla
Predictable, fixed cost
Cipi is free; you pay only for the VPS. Sevalla has no plans — you pay for application, database, storage and load-balancer resources as you consume them.
You own the server
Full root on any provider. Sevalla abstracts clusters away; you never get the 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, not a DIY cloud kit
Octane, Horizon, Reverb, Deployer and queues are built in. Sevalla runs whatever you ship (Git or Docker) without Laravel lifecycle tooling.
Open source & AI-native
MIT-licensed and auditable, with a dual MCP server. Sevalla also exposes MCP for agents — on their hosted control plane.
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 without wiring a container image.
Optional PostgreSQL
MariaDB by default; install PostgreSQL with one command and pick an engine per app (cipi db install pgsql) — no separate database SKU.
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 Sevalla is the better choice
Sevalla wins on a bundled production cloud: application hosting, managed databases, S3-compatible object storage and static sites that work together, plus MCP for deploy-and-debug agents, 25 regions, an edge network, and Kinsta-backed compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR). If you want to drop a DIY AWS/Kubernetes stack and never touch a VPS, Sevalla is the better fit. Cipi is for Laravel teams that want to own the box and automate from the CLI.
How to migrate from Sevalla to Cipi
Moving from Sevalla 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 Sevalla. Dump the managed database, copy object-storage assets you still need on disk, and note env vars, build/start commands and scaling settings.
- 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 Sevalla?
Yes. Cipi is a free, open-source (MIT) and self-hosted alternative to Sevalla for Laravel. Instead of Kinsta's usage-based app platform, 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 Sevalla?
Sevalla is a managed platform for apps, databases, object storage and static sites, with MCP and resource-based billing. Cipi runs on your own VPS with full root access and a fixed cost, is open source, and is Laravel-first with Octane, a dual MCP server, and config encryption at rest.
Is Cipi cheaper than Sevalla?
Cipi itself is free; your only cost is the VPS. Sevalla bills application compute, databases, storage and load balancing by usage — often simpler than AWS, still a variable cloud invoice.
When should I still choose Sevalla?
Choose Sevalla if you want zero infrastructure work, bundled databases and object storage, global regions, and agent access via their MCP — and you are fine paying for resources instead of a VPS.
Can I migrate from Sevalla to Cipi?
Yes. Provision an Ubuntu VPS, install Cipi, create the app with cipi app create (add --octane to keep running Octane), restore your database, copy environment values and point DNS. Object storage can stay S3-compatible off-box.
Does Cipi support Laravel Octane?
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.
