Coolify and CloudPloy both deploy your apps to a server you own. They differ in where the deploy platform lives. Coolify is software you install and run on your own server. CloudPloy is hosted, and your AI agent drives it over MCP.
Coolify is free and open source. If that matters most to you, stay on it. This page is for people who like owning the server and are tired of looking after the platform that sits on it.
At a glance
| Coolify (self-hosted) | CloudPloy | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the platform runs | On your server, installed by you | Hosted by CloudPloy |
| Who updates and secures it | You | CloudPloy |
| How you deploy | Web dashboard, Git push | Ask your AI agent (MCP), or the web panel |
| Where your apps run | Your server | Your server: AWS EC2 in your account, or any server over SSH |
| Source | Open source | Closed source |
| Price | Free software, plus your server | Free plan, then $9.99 to $39 a month flat, plus your server |
Coolify also sells a paid cloud version of its dashboard. Check Coolify’s pricing page and docs for current details. We do not quote their numbers here because they change.
Where CloudPloy is different
Your agent does the deploy
Add one MCP server to Claude Code, Cursor or ChatGPT:
claude mcp add --transport http cloudploy https://brain.cloudploy.com/mcpThen ask for what you want: deploy this repo to that server. The agent can list servers, deploy and read logs within the abilities you grant. Setup is in the MCP docs.
No platform to host yourself
A self-hosted dashboard is one more app on your server. It needs updates, disk space and a locked-down admin login. With CloudPloy the control plane is ours to run. Your server runs your apps.
Builds and presets
Apps build with Nixpacks: Node, Python, Go, Rust, Ruby, Java, PHP and static sites. WordPress and Laravel have presets. SSL is automatic and deploys are zero-downtime.
Where Coolify is the better pick
- You want open source. You can read the code, change it and run it with no vendor.
- You want no subscription. Self-hosted Coolify costs only the server.
- You want everything on your own machine, the dashboard included.
- You enjoy running it. Many people do, and the community is large.
Dokploy in one paragraph
Dokploy belongs to the same category as Coolify: an open-source platform you install on your own server, with a paid cloud option. The same reasoning applies. If you want to own and run the platform, pick one of them. If you would rather not, CloudPloy is the other model.
Trying CloudPloy next to Coolify
You do not have to move everything.
- Pick one app that is not critical.
- Connect a server: your AWS account or an existing server over SSH. Use a separate server from the one Coolify manages, so the two do not fight over ports.
- Deploy the app from your agent.
- Compare a week of both: time spent, things that broke.
Who should pick what
- Pick Coolify or Dokploy if open source and zero subscription are requirements.
- Pick CloudPloy if you deploy from an AI agent and do not want to maintain a deploy platform.
- Pick a managed app platform if you do not want a server at all. See where to host a vibe-coded app.
FAQ
Is CloudPloy open source like Coolify?
No. CloudPloy is a hosted product.
Can I use my existing server?
Yes, any server reachable over SSH, or AWS EC2 in your own account.
Do I still pay my cloud provider?
Yes. The server bill goes to your provider at its normal rate. CloudPloy’s plan is a flat fee on top.
Can Claude Code or Cursor deploy my app?
Yes. Both are MCP clients and connect to https://brain.cloudploy.com/mcp.
What is the cheapest option?
Self-hosted Coolify or Dokploy on a small server: you pay only for the server and your own time. CloudPloy’s free plan covers one small server and one app.