Be part of JetBrains PHPverse 2026 on June 9 – a free online event bringing PHP devs worldwide together.

Angel_Luis's avatar

I don't understand the concept of Forge

Hi.

I meet with the concept of shared hosting, with PHP and MySQL database features.

But I don't understand the concept of buy Forge and setup an Amazon VPS, how much cost Amazon service, how to buy a MySQL database, where to buy that databases service, and really to know what Forge offers for have that monthly cost.

I can watch the Laracasts but I need to know the previous concepts...

Thank you.

0 likes
7 replies
topvillas's avatar

You'll have to look at the AWS site for costs.

Forge is just a VERY convenient way to set up and deploy your apps to the listed providers.

Angel_Luis's avatar

Thank you @topvillas.

I got confused because on Forge website there is a screenshot where you can select the provider and the planning. Do you buy the planning in Forge? How I can see the plannings that offers the providers through Forge?

Then, for the databases, Forge website says

"We install Nginx, PHP 7.1, MySQL, Postgres, Redis, and all of the other goodies you need on the cloud of your choice. No more out-dated PHP installations."

Yes, but with what provider? If I select AWS provider, then I will have MySQL Amazon services? I don' understand.

topvillas's avatar

You'll need to set up your AWS, Digital Ocean or Linode accounts separately and provide your credentials to Forge. But, Forge does all the provisioning for you. So us non-sysops can avoid all the tedious server management.

Think of it a bit like Homestead for staging/production.

1 like
Angel_Luis's avatar

@topvillas, I've never managed a server in my life, so I understand that instead of install manually Mysql into AWS server (before purchased it on AWS website), Forge installs Mysql and upload Laravel app files for production.

topvillas's avatar
Level 46

Yep, that's pretty much it. It provisions a server of the type you specify and installs everything you need including MySQL or PosgreSQL.

But Forge pulls your app from a git repository.

1 like
Angel_Luis's avatar

Thank you @topvillas, and only a last question...

Forge performs backups, or I may perform backups through AWS?

Please or to participate in this conversation.