Laravel is a PHP web application framework that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is widely used by developers to build web applications and APIs. Laravel provides many tools to make development and deployment easier. Two such tools are Laravel Forge and Laravel Envoyer. Both tools are used for deploying Laravel applications, but they differ in their approach and features.
In this article, we will explore the key differences between Laravel Forge and Laravel Envoyer, and help you decide which one to use for your project.
What is Laravel Forge?
Laravel Forge is a server management tool that helps developers set up and manage servers for their Laravel applications. With Forge, developers can create, configure, and manage servers on popular cloud hostings providers like DigitalOcean, Linode, and AWS. Forge also provides a user-friendly interface for server management tasks like setting up SSL certificates, configuring databases, and running backups. There is another similar service called Laravel Vapor, and many people think that its an alternative to Forge but there are huge differences between Laravel Forge and Laravel Vapor as well
What is Laravel Envoyer?
Laravel Envoyer is a deployment tool that helps developers deploy Laravel applications to servers. Envoyer simplifies the deployment process by automating tasks like database migration, dependency installation, and server configuration. It also provides a dashboard for monitoring deployments and rolling back changes if necessary.
Key differences between Laravel Forge and Laravel Envoyer
- Purpose: Laravel Forge is primarily a server management tool, while Laravel Envoyer is a deployment tool. Forge helps developers set up and manage servers, while Envoyer automates the deployment process.
- Features: Forge provides features for server management, such as server provisioning, server configuration, and automated backups. Envoyer, on the other hand, provides features for deployment, such as automated database migration, dependency installation, and environment configuration.
- Pricing: Laravel Forge has a fixed pricing model based on the number of servers. It costs $15 per server per month. Laravel Envoyer has a usage-based pricing model based on the number of deployments. It costs $10 per project per month plus $0.02 per deployment.
When to use Laravel Forge?
Laravel Forge is a good option if you need to manage multiple servers and want a user-friendly interface for server management tasks. It is also a good option if you prefer a fixed pricing model and don't need the deployment automation features provided by Envoyer.
When to use Laravel Envoyer?
Laravel Envoyer is a good option if you need to automate the deployment process and want features like automated database migration, dependency installation, and environment configuration. It is also a good option if you have a small number of servers and prefer a usage-based pricing model.
FAQs:
Q. Can Laravel Forge be used for deployment?
A. No, Laravel Forge is primarily a server management tool and does not provide deployment automation features.
Q. Can Laravel Envoyer be used for server management?
A. No, Laravel Envoyer is primarily a deployment tool and does not provide server management features.
Q. Can Laravel Forge and Laravel Envoyer be used together?
A. Yes, Laravel Forge and Laravel Envoyer can be used together to manage servers and automate the deployment process.
Conclusion:
Laravel Forge and Laravel Envoyer are both popular tools for deploying Laravel applications. Laravel Forge is a server management tool, while Laravel Envoyer is a deployment automation tool. Both tools have their own set of features and pricing models, and