Nº 01Comparison
An alternative to Forge, Ploi and Coolify? It depends on the purpose.
These tools solve related but different jobs. Here is how we see when each way makes sense, even when the answer is not Envbay.
Updated:
02Comparison
Three ways to a dev or staging server
- Server management (for example Laravel Forge, Ploi). You rent a server from a cloud provider of your choice, the tool sets it up and deploys your application. Good for production and for staging on your own terms. Cost: the server at the provider plus the tool’s subscription.
- Self-hosted PaaS (for example Coolify). Open source, you install it on your own server and keep full control. In return you maintain the server, updates and backups yourself.
- Hosted development instance (Envbay). A ready, isolated Envoryx instance at a fixed monthly price. No server administration, but fixed plan limits and not meant for production.
| Server management | Self-hosted PaaS | Envbay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own server needed | yes, at a cloud provider | yes | no |
| Server administration | partly handled | on you | at Envbay |
| Suitable for production | yes | yes | no, development and staging only |
| Cost | server plus subscription | server | fixed monthly price incl. VAT |
| Server location | your choice | your choice | EU |
| Isolation between projects | depends on setup | depends on setup | own instance per customer |
As of October 2026. Products change; please check features and prices on the vendors’ own pages.
03Comparison
When Envbay is the better choice
- You want staging and development environments for several projects in one place without running a server.
- You prefer a fixed monthly price over adding up server costs and a subscription.
- You need services like a database, Redis and Mailpit per project in a click.
- Clients should see previews at their own HTTPS address.
04Comparison
When you should stay with the others
- You run production: Envbay is not built for it and makes no availability promise in beta.
- You need full control over the operating system or a specific location.
- You already have a routine with Forge, Ploi or Coolify that works for you.
The two do not exclude each other: many keep production on their existing path and use a separate staging environment for development and sign-off.
05Comparison
Prices at Envbay
| Starter | Team | Agency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per month (incl. VAT) | €12 | €29 | €59 |
| Projects | 3 | 10 | 25 |
| Users | 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Storage | 20 GB | 50 GB | 100 GB |
| Runtimes | PHP, Node, Python, static | all available | all available |
| Branch environments | no | yes | yes |
Beta: the first 6 months cost half the price. Annual payment equals 10 monthly prices. incl. 19% VAT.
06Comparison
Note
All trademarks mentioned belong to their owners. Envbay is not affiliated with the vendors named.
06FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Q.01Is Envbay a replacement for Laravel Forge?
No. Forge and similar tools manage servers for production and staging. Envbay provides a ready development instance, so you do not have to rent a server.
Q.02And compared with Coolify?
You install Coolify on your own server and maintain it, which gives maximum control. With Envbay we handle operations and updates, in exchange for fixed plan limits.
Q.03Can I switch later?
Yes. Your code lives in your repository, and projects consist of containers and folders. There is no lock-in to Envbay.
07Guides
Keep reading
- Envoryx hostingWhat Envoryx is, what a hosted instance gives you and when renting beats self-hosting.Envoryx hosting
- Laravel staging serverLaravel staging with database, Redis, Mailpit and an HTTPS address, without maintaining a server yourself.Laravel staging
- Rent a dev serverWhat matters when renting a dev server and what a ready development instance offers over a VPS.Rent a dev server
Try it yourself.
Pick a plan, order, open your instance. Prices include 19% VAT.