Laravel Cloud alternative for PHP hosting
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fortrabbit vs Laravel Cloud.
fortrabbit is a Laravel Cloud alternative — independent, bootstrapped, EU-based, and framework-agnostic for any PHP project.
Why pick fortrabbit as an independent Laravel Cloud alternative?
fortrabbit is the independent Laravel Cloud alternative. Laravel Cloud is the official PaaS made by Laravel Holdings — slick, well-integrated, but framework-locked to Laravel and built for teams happy to be in the Laravel ecosystem stack end-to-end. It's also venture-backed and US-based, with pricing that targets well-funded projects.
If you're looking at Laravel Cloud but want fewer dependencies on a single vendor for both framework and infrastructure, fortrabbit gives you the same git-push deployment workflow, comprehensive Laravel install guides, EU hosting (AWS Ireland), and predictable pricing — and you can take any PHP project with you, not just Laravel. We've been running Laravel apps in production since the framework's early days. Plans start at €2.50 per month; the trial doesn't require a credit card.
Start a free trial — no credit cardHow does fortrabbit compare to Laravel Cloud?
| Feature | Laravel Cloud | fortrabbit |
|---|---|---|
| Framework support | Laravel only | Any PHP |
| Deployment | git push | git push, atomic |
| Managed MySQL | Integrated | Native |
| SSH / SFTP | Limited | Full SFTP + SSH |
| Region | US default | EU (Ireland) |
| Pricing model | Usage-based | Per-app, monthly |
| Free tier | Yes, limited | 7-day trial, no card |
| Support | Tiered | Human chat, all plans |
| Company | Laravel Holdings, VC | Independent, bootstrapped |
| Lock-in | Framework + platform | Standard PHP, portable |
Pricing comparison
| Use case | Laravel Cloud | fortrabbit |
|---|---|---|
| Small site / dev | Free tier, limited | €5 / mo |
| Production app | $20–$80 / mo est. | €30 / mo |
| Scaled app | $100–$500+ / mo est. | €60–€120 / mo depending on tier |
Numbers are illustrative — Laravel Cloud's usage-based model varies by traffic, compute time, and hibernation. See fortrabbit pricing for the current matrix.
Migrating from Laravel Cloud to fortrabbit
- Provision the app on fortrabbit. Pick a region (EU) and a plan. The trial is enough to validate the move.
- Add the MySQL component. Export from Laravel Cloud's managed database, import via fortrabbit's SSH tunnel — see MySQL import guide.
- Connect your git provider. Install the fortrabbit GitHub App (or connect GitLab / Bitbucket) and link your existing repo to the new fortrabbit app — see deployment intro. Pushes to your branch trigger an automatic deploy; Composer install runs as part of it.
- Move environment variables. Laravel Cloud env vars map 1:1 to fortrabbit env vars — set in the dashboard or via the CLI.
- Configure queues and scheduled tasks. Use fortrabbit's Laravel guides for queue workers and cron.
- Move file storage. rsync uploads and assets into your fortrabbit app's persistent storage via SFTP / SSH.
- Cut over DNS. Add the domain in the fortrabbit dashboard, update the CNAME, and watch the certificate issue automatically via Let's Encrypt.
Why teams switch
- No vendor stack lock-in. Framework and platform are decoupled — you can take your code anywhere.
- Predictable bills. Per-app monthly pricing, no usage-meter surprises.
- Owner-run support. You talk to the engineers who run the platform.
- Independence. Bootstrapped since 2012, no shareholder pressure to upsell.
For background on Laravel Cloud itself, see our hosting guide entry. If you're earlier in the decision and still comparing categories, read how to choose the right hosting for your PHP project.
# Frequently asked
Does fortrabbit only run Laravel?No
No - fortrabbit runs any PHP project — Laravel, Symfony, Statamic, Craft CMS, Kirby, WordPress, plain PHP — on the same managed platform. Laravel Cloud is, as the name suggests, built around Laravel; you get less flexibility outside that ecosystem. For teams running a mixed PHP stack or a non-Laravel framework, the framework-agnostic platform is usually the easier fit.
#Is fortrabbit the independent alternative to Laravel Cloud?Yes
Yes - fortrabbit is bootstrapped, EU-based, and not owned by Laravel Holdings. Laravel Cloud is the official Laravel PaaS — well-integrated with the framework, but venture-backed and US-based, with pricing pitched at well-funded projects. If you want to run Laravel on a platform whose roadmap is not tied to Laravel's commercial strategy, fortrabbit is the independent option.
#How does fortrabbit's pricing compare to Laravel Cloud for a small Laravel app?Cheaper to start
Cheaper to start - For small to mid-sized Laravel apps, fortrabbit starts at €5 a month for an app with a MySQL component. Laravel Cloud's pricing model includes a fixed monthly platform fee plus per-resource usage, and the entry-level plans target teams shipping production-grade Laravel apps rather than side projects. For a hobby or freelance Laravel app, fortrabbit is the cheaper starting point.
#Is Laravel Cloud available in EU data centers like fortrabbit?On request
On request - Laravel Cloud runs on AWS regions globally, including EU regions on request, but the company is US-based. fortrabbit runs in AWS EU (Ireland) and the company is registered in Berlin, so both the operational entity and the infrastructure sit inside EU jurisdiction. For projects where the contractual jurisdiction matters, that distinction is the easier story to tell a DPO.
#Is the Laravel code portable off fortrabbit if plans change?Yes
Yes - Apps run as standard PHP with the code living in a normal git repo, so there is no proprietary runtime to unwind. Cancellation runs from the dashboard with immediate effect, no lock-in, and no long-term contract. Take the repo and database elsewhere whenever needed.
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