StackPilot App vs Ploi
Two capable tools, opposite philosophies: one you own and run yourself, one you rent and reach through a browser.
StackPilot App is a desktop deployment platform that connects straight to your servers over SSH and keeps your credentials on your own machine, across Laravel, Node, WordPress and more. Ploi runs the same kind of work as a hosted, browser-based dashboard on its own cloud. If you would rather own your deployment workflow than rent it, StackPilot App is the Ploi alternative built for that.
Not affiliated with Ploi. Competitor pricing last reviewed July 2026 from the official pricing page.
You want a hosted dashboard you can reach from anywhere, a free plan to start on, and browser-based sharing.
You want deployments over direct SSH from your own machine, credentials that never leave it, multi-framework support, and a one-time licence.
Ploi is a hosted dashboard your servers connect through. StackPilot App connects to your servers directly from your desktop, so credentials and control stay local.
Is StackPilot App a good Ploi alternative?
Yes, if you prefer local-first control.
StackPilot App does the same core jobs as Ploi (provisioning, deployments, SSL, databases, backups and monitoring), but as a desktop app over direct SSH, with credentials that stay on your machine and support for more than PHP. If you want a free tier and a hosted dashboard you can open from any device, Ploi is the better fit. For developers who want to own their tooling and keep credentials local, StackPilot App is a strong Ploi alternative.
StackPilot App vs Ploi, side by side
| StackPilot App | Ploi | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | YesDesktop appmacOS today · Windows in public beta | PartlyBrowser (hosted SaaS) |
| Connection to your servers | YesDirect SSH from your machine | NoRouted through Ploi's servers |
| Where credentials live | YesLocal only, your OS keychain | NoStored on Ploi's cloud |
| Free tier | NoNo free planone-time licence, with a refund policy | YesYes, a free plan to start |
| Pricing model | YesOne-time licence | PartlyFree, then $10 – $36 / month |
| Servers included | Partly2 – 50 per licence (tiered)Bigger fleet? Talk to us. | PartlyTier-based: 5 / 10 / unlimited |
| Frameworks | YesLaravel, Symfony, WordPress, Node, Vue, Nuxt, React, Next, static… | PartlyPHP and Laravel-oriented; supports Node and static apps |
| Cloud provisioning | YesAWS, DigitalOcean, Vultr + any SSH-reachable VPS | YesMajor cloud providers |
| Zero-downtime deploys | YesAtomic releases | YesYes, from the Pro plan |
| Monitoring, backups, SSL | YesBuilt in | YesMonitoring & backups from the Pro plan |
| Sharing across a team | NoPer-machine, single operatorCollaboration is on the roadmap | YesBrowser-based sharing |
| Works offline | PartlyView cached dataSSH still needs a network | NoBrowser required |
Pricing: own it vs rent it
Ploi has a genuinely useful free tier and low monthly plans, so this isn't a pure cost argument. It's about the model you want to run.
StackPilot App: pay once
- Solo · 2 servers$129 once
- Pro · 5 servers$249 once
- Power · 10 servers$599 once
Larger fleets go up to 50 servers per licence. Lifetime feature updates within your major version, plus 2 years of security patches.
Ploi: pay monthly
- Free · to start$0
- Basic $10/mo
- Pro $16/mo
- Unlimited · unlimited servers$36/mo
A free plan to start, then monthly. Zero-downtime deploys, backups and monitoring come in on the Pro plan and up.
Ploi's free and low monthly tiers are a real advantage if you want to start at zero or run a large fleet cheaply. StackPilot App's case is not that it is cheaper, it is ownership: a one-time licence, credentials that stay on your machine, and no hosted dashboard between you and your servers.
Who should choose Ploi
- You want to start on a free plan
- You want a hosted dashboard you can open from any device
- You want browser-based sharing
- You'd rather not install a desktop app
Who should choose StackPilot App
- You want deployments over direct SSH from your own machine
- You don't want credentials in a hosted dashboard
- You deploy across Laravel, Node, Nuxt, Vue, WordPress and more
- You prefer buying once over a monthly subscription
- You manage a known set of VPS servers and want them local-first
Trying StackPilot App alongside Ploi
You don't have to switch in one go. Run both side by side until you're confident.
- 1Add your existing server in StackPilot App with the SSH key you already use.
- 2Recreate a site or two pointing at the same directories, and run a test deploy.
- 3Repoint that repo's deploy webhook to the StackPilot App URL.
- 4Once a few deploys land cleanly, cancel the Ploi subscription.
Frequently asked
Is StackPilot App a Ploi alternative?
Yes. It covers the same core jobs (provisioning, deployments, SSL, databases, backups and monitoring), but as a desktop app that connects to your servers over SSH, rather than a hosted dashboard.
Does StackPilot App have a free tier?
No. StackPilot App is a one-time purchase rather than a subscription, so there is no free plan. There is a refund policy if it turns out not to be a fit.
Does StackPilot App store my SSH keys in the cloud?
No. StackPilot App is a desktop app. Your keys are used locally to open the SSH connection, and secrets are stored in your operating system's keychain.
Can I use StackPilot App with my existing Ploi servers?
Yes. You can add a server Ploi already manages and run both tools in parallel while you evaluate.
Which is cheaper?
It depends. Ploi's free and low monthly plans are hard to beat at the entry level and for very large fleets. StackPilot App is a one-time licence, so for a steady handful of servers it can work out cheaper over time, with no ongoing bill.
Is StackPilot App only for PHP?
No. StackPilot App is a multi-framework deployment platform: Laravel, Symfony, WordPress, Node, Nuxt, Vue and more.
See it on your own servers
StackPilot App connects to any Ubuntu or Debian VPS over SSH, from your own machine. Your credentials never leave your computer.