Dokploy vs Laravel Forge: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Dokploy and Laravel Forge comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Dokploy
Free self-hosted PaaS alternative to Vercel and Netlify
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.7/10 vs 7.4/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • Free self-hosted PaaS alternative to Vercel, Netlify, and Heroku for deploying applications and databases
- • Supports Nixpacks, Heroku Buildpacks, Dockerfile, and native Docker Compose with one-click SSL
Laravel Forge
Simple server management for PHP and beyond, with one-click provisioning and zero-downtime deployments.
Best for you if:
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Simplifies server provisioning and management for web applications.
- • Offers zero-downtime deployments, automated SSL, and database backups.
| At a Glance |  Dokploy |  Laravel Forge |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | CI/CD |
Rating | 87/100 | 74/100 |
| Feature | Dokploy | Laravel Forge |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 87 | 74 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentCI/CD | CI/CDVPS & Servers |
How Dokploy and Laravel Forge Compare
Dokploy
Free self-hosted PaaS alternative to Vercel and Netlify
Free · 87/100 score
Laravel Forge
Simple server management for PHP and beyond, with one-click provisioning and zero-downtime deployments.
Paid · 74/100 score
Dokploy is a hosting & deployment tool. Laravel Forge is in ci/cd.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Dokploy is free. Laravel Forge is paid.
Go with: Dokploy
Want the highest-rated option?
Dokploy: 87/100. Laravel Forge: 74/100.
Go with: Dokploy
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Dokploy
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Dokploy is free. Laravel Forge is paid. Go with Dokploy if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Dokploy is a hosting & deployment tool. Laravel Forge is in ci/cd. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Dokploy scores higher: 87/100 vs 74/100.
Key Takeaways
Dokploy
- Higher score: 87/100 vs 74
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Laravel Forge
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
Dokploy (87/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dokploy or Laravel Forge better?
Dokploy scores 87/100 in our evaluation. Dokploy is free and Laravel Forge is paid.
What are Dokploy and Laravel Forge used for?
Dokploy: Free self-hosted PaaS alternative to Vercel and Netlify. Laravel Forge: Simple server management for PHP and beyond, with one-click provisioning and zero-downtime deployments..
What does Dokploy cost vs Laravel Forge?
Dokploy is completely free. Laravel Forge is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.