Laravel Forge

Managing servers for your PHP applications doesn't have to be complicated anymore. Laravel Forge takes the stress out of server setup and application deployment by providing a simple, web-based interface that handles all the technical details for you.

Created by Taylor Otwell, the same person behind the Laravel framework, this platform connects to your favorite cloud providers like DigitalOcean, AWS, and Vultr to create perfectly configured servers in minutes. Instead of spending hours wrestling with command lines and server configurations, you can focus on what you do best - building amazing applications.

Whether you're deploying a small personal project or managing multiple business applications, Forge makes server management feel effortless and gives you more time to code.

Laravel Forge is a server management and deployment platform specifically designed for PHP developers who want to deploy their applications without dealing with complex server administration. Think of it as your personal DevOps assistant that knows exactly how to set up servers for modern PHP applications.

Forge connects to popular cloud hosting providers and automatically installs everything you need: PHP, Nginx, MySQL, Redis, and all the essential tools for running web applications. The platform shines when working with Laravel applications but works perfectly with any PHP framework or even vanilla PHP projects.

What makes Forge special is its focus on simplicity - you get enterprise-level server management through an intuitive dashboard. It handles security updates, SSL certificates, database backups, and even integrates with Git repositories for automatic deployments. Founded as a way to monetize the Laravel ecosystem, Forge has become the go-to solution for thousands of developers worldwide.

Getting started with Laravel Forge is straightforward and designed for developers of all skill levels. First, create your Forge account and choose a pricing plan that fits your needs. Next, connect your preferred cloud provider like DigitalOcean, AWS, or Vultr by adding your API credentials to Forge. This allows Forge to create and manage servers on your behalf.

Once connected, create a new server by selecting your provider, server size, and location. Forge will automatically provision the server with all necessary software including PHP, Nginx, and databases. After your server is ready, add your website by providing your domain name and connecting your Git repository from GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.

Here's how to get the best results:

• Choose the right server size for your application's needs

• Connect your Git repository for automatic deployments

• Set up SSL certificates using Forge's Let's Encrypt integration

• Configure environment variables through the built-in editor

• Use deployment scripts to customize your deployment process

Push your code to your repository, and Forge handles the deployment automatically. You can monitor server health, manage databases, and configure scheduled tasks all from the user-friendly dashboard.

Laravel Forge offers a comprehensive set of features designed to simplify server management and application deployment. The platform provides automatic server provisioning with pre-configured PHP environments, Nginx web servers, and database installations. All servers come with essential security features including SSH key authentication, automatic security updates, and firewall configuration.

Key features include:

• Git integration with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket for automatic deployments

• SSL certificate management with free Let's Encrypt certificates

• Database management for MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Redis

• Queue worker management with built-in Supervisor configuration

• Scheduled task management through an intuitive cron job interface

• Team collaboration tools for sharing server access with team members

• Server monitoring with real-time metrics and health alerts

• Backup automation for databases and application files

• Multiple PHP versions support with easy switching between versions

The platform also offers zero-downtime deployments, load balancer provisioning, and dedicated worker servers for high-traffic applications. Advanced users can access custom deployment scripts, API management, and multi-server networking capabilities for complex infrastructures.

Laravel Forge offers three pricing plans designed to grow with your needs, plus all plans include a 5-day free trial to test the platform before committing.

Pricing plans:

• Hobby Plan ($12/month or $120/year) - Perfect for individual developers with one server, unlimited sites, and unlimited deployments

• Growth Plan ($19/month or $199/year) - Ideal for growing businesses with unlimited servers, sites, and deployments

• Business Plan ($39/month or $399/year) - Complete solution with priority support, automated database backups, team collaboration features, and server monitoring

The annual plans offer 17% savings compared to monthly billing, making them cost-effective for long-term projects. Remember that Forge pricing is separate from your hosting costs - you'll also pay your cloud provider (like DigitalOcean starting at $5/month) for the actual server resources. This model gives you flexibility to choose the best hosting option while getting professional server management tools.