Ploi alternatives
Where to go depends on what is actually pushing you off Ploi.
Ploi is good value, and its free plan is a genuinely nice way to start. Developers usually go looking for a Ploi alternative for one of three reasons: they do not want server credentials held by a hosted dashboard, the features they need sit behind the Pro plan and the subscription starts to add up, or they deploy more than PHP. Here is an honest look at where to go for each.
We build StackPilot App, so read our pick with that in mind. Not affiliated with Ploi or any other tool here. Last updated 1 July 2026.
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StackPilot App
Our pick for ownershipStackPilot App is a desktop deployment platform. It covers the same core jobs as Ploi (provisioning, deployments, SSL, databases, backups and monitoring), but it connects to your servers over direct SSH from your own machine, so your credentials live in your OS keychain instead of a hosted dashboard.
Where it shines- Direct SSH from your machine; credentials never touch a hosted service
- One-time licence: lifetime feature updates within your major version, plus 2 years of security patches
- Multi-framework: Laravel, Symfony, WordPress, Node, Nuxt, Vue, React, Next and static sites
- One-click provisioning on AWS, DigitalOcean and Vultr, and it works with any SSH-reachable Ubuntu or Debian VPS you bring
Keep in mind- Per-machine, single operator today (collaboration is on the roadmap)
- macOS is GA; Windows is in public beta
- No free plan, though there is a refund policy
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Laravel Forge
The obvious hosted alternative. Forge is the first-party Laravel server panel, with a mature browser workflow and flat-rate plans that include unlimited servers.
Where it shines- First-party Laravel ecosystem integration
- Flat-rate plans ($12 to $39 per month) with unlimited servers and built-in sharing
Keep in mind- Same hosted model as Ploi, so your servers connect through its cloud
- No free plan, and Laravel-first by design
Pick by situation
- You want to own your tooling and keep credentials on your machineStackPilot App
- You are all-in on Laravel and want the first-party panelLaravel Forge
- You deploy more than PHP: Node, Nuxt, Vue and moreStackPilot App
- You mainly want a free hosted planStaying with Ploi is hard to beat
Frequently asked
What is the best Ploi alternative?
It depends on what is pushing you off Ploi. If it is credential custody or subscription fatigue, StackPilot App does the same jobs from a desktop app over direct SSH, with a one-time licence. If you want the first-party Laravel panel, that is Forge.
Is there a one-time-payment alternative to Ploi?
Yes. StackPilot App is a one-time licence rather than a subscription, with lifetime feature updates within your major version plus 2 years of security patches. There is no free plan, but there is a refund policy.
Is there a free Ploi alternative?
Free plans are rare in this category, and Ploi's own free tier is one of its genuine strengths, so if free is the priority, staying put may be the honest answer. StackPilot App has no free plan; it is a one-time purchase with a refund policy.
Which alternatives are not limited to PHP?
StackPilot App deploys Laravel, Symfony, WordPress, Node, Nuxt, Vue, React, Next and static sites, so one licence covers a mixed portfolio of projects.
Do I have to migrate everything at once?
No. StackPilot App can manage a server Ploi already runs. Add the same server, mirror a site or two, test a deploy, and only cancel the subscription once you are confident.
A note on accuracy. Details about Ploi (pricing, plans and features) were accurate to the best of our knowledge as of 1 July 2026, and may have changed since. Always check the official site for current information. If you spot something out of date, tell us and we will correct it.
Try the ownership route first
StackPilot App connects to any Ubuntu or Debian VPS over SSH, from your own machine. You can add a server Ploi already manages and run both side by side while you decide.