Compare — generic php and laravel provisioner

WPShift vs Laravel Forge.

Forge is an excellent server provisioner if you ship Laravel apps or custom PHP. It treats WordPress as one PHP framework among many.

WPShift is built around WordPress: every screen knows about plugins, wp-config, caching presets, and migrations.

Both let you bring your own cloud account, and both price independently of server size. The difference is what happens after provisioning: Forge hands you a well-built PHP box, WPShift keeps operating WordPress on it, from plugins to backups to email.

Every feature, side by side

Compared July 2026 from each vendor’s public docs, updated periodically. Cells read Yes (supported), No (not available), or a note such as Limited, Manual or Beta. Spot something out of date? Email hello@wpshift.io.

Swipe sideways to see both columns

Feature WPShift Laravel Forge
Built for WordPress
Purpose-built for WordPress Yes No
One-click WordPress site creation Yes No
Plugin and theme update manager Yes No
wp-config editor with validation Yes No
WP-CLI per site, in-app Yes Manual
Site cloning for staging Yes Manual
Site import via Companion plugin Yes No
Servers and infrastructure
Bring your own cloud account Yes Yes
WPShift Cloud (no third-party cloud account) Yes No
Pricing independent of server size Yes Yes
Nginx, PHP, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis preconfigured Yes Yes
Multi-version PHP per server Yes Yes
SSH and firewall management Yes Yes
Real-time server metrics and logs Yes Yes
Domains, DNS, and email
DNS management in dashboard Yes No
Mailbox creation per domain Yes No
IMAP, POP3, and webmail Yes No
SPF, DKIM, DMARC configured for you Yes No
Free SSL on every domain Yes Yes
Operations, AI, and teams
AI Copilot (executes commands) Yes No
Automated off-server backups Yes Yes
One-click restore Yes Manual
Eight backup storage destinations Yes No
Uptime + PageSpeed monitoring Yes No
Team workspaces with RBAC Yes Yes
Designed for non-developers Yes No

Choose WPShift if

  • 01

    WordPress is the workload

    In-app plugin and theme management, a wp-config editor with validation, magic login to wp-admin and WP-CLI per site. On Forge these are manual jobs on a generic PHP box.
  • 02

    You migrate and stage sites often

    Site import via the Companion plugin and site cloning for staging are built in. On Forge, cloning is manual and there is no import plugin.
  • 03

    You want caching preconfigured

    FastCGI page cache with WooCommerce presets and a Redis object cache come wired up, not assembled by hand.
  • 04

    You need domains and email in the same dashboard

    DNS management, mailbox creation per domain, IMAP and webmail, and SPF, DKIM and DMARC configured for you. Forge does not do domains or email.
  • 05

    You want an AI Copilot that executes

    The Copilot understands WP-CLI and wp-config and runs operations from chat. There is no equivalent in Forge.

When not to choose WPShift

  • 01

    You ship Laravel apps as the primary workload

    Forge has Laravel-specific deploy scripts, queue management, and Envoyer integration. WPShift has none of that, by design. If Laravel is the centre, pick Forge.
  • 02

    You want a generic provisioner across many PHP frameworks

    WPShift is exclusively WordPress. Other PHP stacks belong on Forge or Ploi.

Still weighing it up?

The 7-day trial runs the full Professional plan next to your current setup, no credit card needed. Or ask us anything at hello@wpshift.io.

See plans and pricing

Pricing, side by side.

Both WPShift and Forge price by plan, independent of server size, and with both you pay your cloud provider directly for the machine. WPShift plans run from €5.99 to €29.99 per month; a capable WordPress server starts at around €5 per month on Hetzner or $6 per month on DigitalOcean.

The difference is what the plan covers. On WPShift the fee includes DNS and mailboxes, eight backup storage destinations, uptime and PageSpeed monitoring and the AI Copilot, with every feature on every plan. We have not listed Forge’s prices here; check their site for current figures.

See WPShift plans and pricing

Try WPShift free for 7 days

Spin up a server, migrate a real site, and see if it fits. No credit card required.

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