How to deploy to VPS without Forge

You could use something like deployer to handle the actual deployment. But do you mean you don't know how to set up the webserver etc too?

Well I could install Apache, PHP7, MySql, Git , but from there I have no clue, since my experience on Linux and webservers configuration is very minimal :/

Once you've installed all that - then you're just really needing to set up a vhost and create your initial db. There are some helpful tutorials from digital ocean on the basics. Though you'd obviously want to git clone your own project rather than install laravel itself as is done in the tutorial.

I will try, but how do I manage my domains? Do I need to install some panel or something?

Where did you buy the domain? The site will usually let you point your DNS records to your VPS's IP address. Then you just set up a vhost as in the tutorial above that takes the right domain name and points it the directory with your project.

That's why I have a personal envoyer and forge account :). Less headaches and frustration.

If you're really hard pressed you can use the free trial, set up your server then not re-new.

Problem: Client doesn't want to pay for forge.

Solution: Pay Forge yourself, save yourself the trouble and charge the client 5 hours of work for "setting up webserver".

The absolute easiest way to provision the server to run Laravel is with Forge. Like @Prullenbak said it will save you a lot of tile and headache if you are not familiar with Linux.

You do not need an ongoing subscription to Forge. Technically you could get away with setting up a Forge trial and then provision the server before the trial expires.

That being said; if you are to provision servers for other clients you will greatly appreciate the time that Forge will save you.

@henrik yep that is what I will probbably do in the end.. I 'm also thinking about investing into Forge for these kind of things, but now since it got even more expensive(20$ from 15$), I'm not quite sure. I will probably still learn linux and server management in my spare time..