deploymanage ~ %

Laravel Forge alternative for multi-cloud server management and deployment

DeployManage provisions hardened servers, runs zero-downtime deploys, and manages databases, mailboxes, SSL and queues across any cloud provider. Provider flexibility without the single-ecosystem lock-in.

Works with Hetzner, DigitalOcean, AWS, Vultr, Linode, OVHcloud and custom VPS.

zsh · deploymanage
deploymanage ~ % server create --provider hetzner --region ash1
provisioning ...... web-01.prod
online in 41s ..... hardened + firewalled
deploymanage ~ % deploy web-01.prod
ssh · pull · build · migrate · reload
live in 11.3s ..... zero downtime
deploymanage ~ %
# the short answer

DeployManage is a Laravel Forge alternative that provisions servers and runs zero-downtime deployments across any cloud provider (Hetzner, DigitalOcean, AWS, Vultr, Linode) from one dashboard. It fits teams that want provider flexibility, managed databases and mailboxes, and a full deploy audit trail without being tied to one ecosystem. There is a free plan to start, so you can connect a provider and ship before you pay.

Last updated July 2026

# the whole stack, one dashboard

$ deploymanage server create
Provision on any cloud

Spin up production-ready, hardened servers on Hetzner, DigitalOcean, AWS, Vultr, Linode, OVHcloud or a custom VPS. One connection per provider, then drive them all by API.

$ deploymanage deploy
Zero-downtime deploys

Atomic releases with instant rollback and health checks. Push to Git and the new release goes live only after it passes, so users never hit a broken build.

$ deploymanage db create
Managed databases

Create MySQL and PostgreSQL databases and users, set backups, and connect apps without touching a shell.

$ deploymanage mail add
Mailboxes per domain

Add mailboxes and forwarders for your domains alongside the sites they belong to, managed from the same place.

$ deploymanage recipe apply
Reusable recipes

Save provisioning scripts as recipes so every server in the fleet is configured identically and audited.

$ deploymanage activity
Fleet-wide audit trail

Every deploy, server change and command is logged across the whole fleet, so you always know who shipped what and when.

# how it works

01
Connect a provider

Add your cloud or hosting credentials once. Keep the account and the billing you already have.

02
Create a server

A hardened, firewalled box online in under a minute, configured from your recipe.

03
Deploy your app

Link a Git repo and ship with a zero-downtime, atomic release and one-click rollback.

04
Manage the fleet

Databases, mail, SSL, queues and scheduled jobs for every site, from one dashboard.

DeployManage vs Laravel Forge vs Ploi

An honest, feature-first comparison. Pricing and features were checked in July 2026 and change over time, so confirm current plans on each vendor's site before you buy. Forge now includes zero-downtime deployments in new subscriptions and offers one-click Laravel VPS provisioning, which is a genuine strength.

Feature DeployManage Laravel Forge Ploi
Cloud providers Any provider + custom VPS DigitalOcean, AWS, Hetzner, Vultr, custom DigitalOcean, AWS, Hetzner, Vultr, Linode, UpCloud, custom
Zero-downtime deployments Yes Yes Yes
Managed databases Yes Yes Yes
Provisioning recipes / templates Yes Yes Yes
Mailboxes per domain Yes No No
Deployment activity log Fleet-wide Per site Per site
Free plan Yes No Yes
Starting paid price Free to start $12/mo $10/mo
One-click instant provisioning Yes, from recipes Yes, via Laravel VPS Yes
Built by the Laravel team No Yes No

# who it's for

Agencies with many client servers

Run every client's servers and deploys from one fleet view, with a full audit trail per account and no per-agency ecosystem lock-in.

Laravel and PHP teams

Get the same tight Laravel deploy workflow Forge users expect, plus the freedom to run it on whichever cloud is cheapest or closest to your users.

Teams switching cloud providers

Moving from DigitalOcean to Hetzner to cut costs, or adding AWS for one client, does not mean changing tools. One panel drives them all.

Cost-conscious startups

Provision on low-cost providers like Hetzner and Vultr while keeping a managed, zero-downtime deploy pipeline your whole team can use.

Compliance-minded teams

A fleet-wide activity log records every deploy and server change, which helps when you need to show who changed what and when.

Solo developers

Skip hand-writing provisioning scripts and Nginx configs. Connect a provider, create a server, and deploy in minutes.

Why teams look for a Laravel Forge alternative

Laravel Forge is a solid, popular panel, and for a Laravel shop that lives entirely inside one or two clouds it is hard to beat. Teams start shopping for an alternative when their needs grow past that. The common reasons are provider flexibility (you want to run some servers on Hetzner for cost and others on AWS for a client), a want for email hosting alongside sites, a need for a single audit trail across a large fleet, or simply a free tier to start on before committing budget.

DeployManage keeps the parts Forge users like, the fast provisioning and the zero-downtime deploy pipeline, and adds broad provider support, per-domain mailboxes, and a fleet-wide activity log. You are not locked into a single ecosystem, and you can start on the free plan.

Does switching mean rebuilding my servers?

No. You do not have to tear down existing infrastructure. Connect the same cloud account you already use, point DeployManage at a fresh server, and move sites over one at a time. Because provisioning is driven by reusable recipes, every new box comes up configured the same way, which makes a gradual migration low risk. Keep your current provider, keep your current billing, and change only the control layer on top.

What Laravel Forge does better

Any honest comparison has to say where Forge wins, because it wins in real places. It is built by the Laravel team, so first-party support and ecosystem fit are as tight as they get. Its Laravel VPS option provisions a fully configured box in seconds rather than minutes, and new Forge subscriptions now include the zero-downtime deployments that used to require a separate Envoyer plan. If your shop is all Laravel, all the time, and you are happy on one or two clouds, Forge is an easy tool to recommend.

The case for DeployManage is narrower and structural: you want to run servers on whichever cloud makes sense per project, you want mailboxes managed next to the sites they belong to, and you want one audit trail across the whole fleet rather than per site. If none of those matter to you, stay where you are. If all three do, that is what this panel is for.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free alternative to Laravel Forge?

Yes. DeployManage has a free plan you can start on without a card, and Ploi offers a free tier as well. Laravel Forge itself has no free plan and starts at $12 per month. A free plan lets you connect a provider and deploy a first site before you decide to pay.

What is the best Laravel Forge alternative?

The best alternative depends on your needs. DeployManage suits teams that want any-cloud provisioning, mailboxes, and a fleet-wide audit trail with a free start. Ploi is strong for broad provider support. RunCloud focuses on server management for PHP apps. Compare providers, deploy features, and pricing before choosing.

Can I use DeployManage with any cloud provider?

Yes. DeployManage connects to Hetzner, DigitalOcean, AWS, Vultr, Linode, OVHcloud and custom VPS servers. You add each provider once with your own credentials, then provision and deploy to any of them from the same dashboard, so you are never tied to one ecosystem.

Is Ploi better than Laravel Forge?

Neither is strictly better. Ploi supports more cloud providers and packs more built-in features, and it has a free plan. Forge has the tightest tie to the Laravel ecosystem and first-party support. Your workflow, provider choice, and budget decide which fits. DeployManage is a third option that runs on any provider.

Is there an open source Laravel Forge alternative?

Open source server panels exist, but they put the burden of hosting, updates, and security patching on you. DeployManage is a managed option: you keep your own cloud accounts and billing, and it handles the provisioning, deploys, and maintenance layer so your team does not run the control plane itself.

Do I need to know the command line to use DeployManage?

No. DeployManage runs provisioning and deploys for you from a dashboard, so you do not hand-write Nginx configs or SSH in for routine work. The command style you see in the interface is a readable log of what ran, not something you have to type yourself.

# related

deploymanage ~ % signup

Switch to any-cloud server management.

Connect the provider you already use and ship your first zero-downtime deploy in minutes. Free to start.