Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Laravel Forge VS SmartGit

Compare Laravel Forge VS SmartGit and see what are their differences

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Laravel Forge logo Laravel Forge

Help build, deploy and manage PHP servers in the cloud.

SmartGit logo SmartGit

SmartGit is a front-end for the distributed version control system Git and runs on Windows, Mac OS...
  • Laravel Forge Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-26
  • SmartGit Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-24

Laravel Forge features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Laravel Forge offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of deploying and managing servers. Even users with minimal server management experience can navigate through the platform easily.
  • Automated Deployment
    It automates the deployment process for Laravel applications, which can save significant time and reduce the risk of errors compared to manual deployments.
  • Server Management
    Forge provides comprehensive server management tools including SSL setup, server monitoring, and automatic updates, thereby reducing the need for manual server configurations.
  • Integration with Laravel Ecosystem
    Seamless integration with other Laravel tools and frameworks, such as Envoyer and Vapor, enhances the overall development and deployment workflow.
  • Provisioning and Scaling
    Allows easy provisioning of new servers and scaling options, which can be crucial for handling traffic spikes or scaling an application as it grows.

Possible disadvantages of Laravel Forge

  • Cost
    Laravel Forge is a paid service, and while it offers a lot of value, it might not be ideal for developers or small projects with limited budgets.
  • Limited to Laravel
    While Forge can technically be used to deploy other PHP applications, it is primarily tailored for Laravel projects. Non-Laravel applications may not fully benefit from all the features.
  • Vendor Lock-in
    Using a specific platform for deployment can create a level of dependency on that platform, making it more challenging to switch to another service in the future.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, there is still a learning curve involved in understanding all the features and functionalities, especially for complete beginners.
  • Limited Customization
    Forge provides many automated settings and configurations, but this can limit the level of customization for advanced users who require more granular control over their server setups.

SmartGit features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    SmartGit provides an intuitive and graphical interface that is user-friendly, which makes it accessible for beginners as well as efficient for experienced users.
  • Cross-Platform
    Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for different development environments.
  • Rich Feature Set
    Includes a comprehensive set of features for Git version control, such as commit history, branch management, and conflict resolution tools.
  • Integrations
    Supports integration with popular platforms like GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab, facilitating smooth workflow management.
  • SVN Support
    Includes support for Subversion (SVN) repositories, making it easier for teams transitioning from SVN to Git.
  • Professional Support
    Offers commercial support options, ensuring that professional teams can get timely assistance when needed.

Possible disadvantages of SmartGit

  • Cost
    While it offers a free version for non-commercial use, the commercial license can be expensive, potentially being a barrier for smaller teams or solo developers.
  • Complexity for Basic Users
    The rich feature set might be overwhelming for users who are only looking for basic Git functionalities.
  • Performance
    Can be resource-intensive and slower to load compared to some lightweight Git clients.
  • Learning Curve
    New users, particularly those unfamiliar with Git, may find there is a significant learning curve to fully leverage all features.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version is only for non-commercial use, which limits its utility for professionals and businesses who are looking for a zero-cost solution.

Analysis of Laravel Forge

Overall verdict

  • Laravel Forge is an excellent tool for developers who want to streamline their server management and deployment processes. Its features are robust and specifically tailored for PHP and Laravel projects, ensuring a smooth workflow from development to production. The general consensus among users is positive, highlighting its capacity to optimize and simplify server-related tasks.

Why this product is good

  • Laravel Forge is highly regarded for its ability to simplify server management for PHP and specifically Laravel applications. It automates the deployment of code, handles server provisioning, and facilitates various configuration tasks, which significantly reduces the complexity and time involved in managing server environments. Its strong points include seamless integration with popular cloud service providers, automatic SSL certificate issuance through Let's Encrypt, and user-friendly interface, making it an attractive choice for developers seeking an efficient server management tool.

Recommended for

  • Laravel developers
  • PHP developers
  • Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) using Laravel
  • Development teams looking for rapid deployment solutions
  • Freelancers managing client applications

Analysis of SmartGit

Overall verdict

  • Yes, SmartGit is considered a good choice for both beginners and advanced users due to its user-friendly interface and extensive feature set.

Why this product is good

  • SmartGit is a popular Git client known for its robust set of features that support both basic and advanced Git operations. It offers an intuitive interface, making it easier to manage repositories, compare branches, and resolve conflicts. Additionally, SmartGit integrates with popular platforms like GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab, and offers powerful tools such as conflict solving, file history, and SSH support.

Recommended for

    SmartGit is ideal for software developers, DevOps professionals, and anyone who frequently works with Git version control systems. It is particularly useful for those who need a GUI-based solution to manage and visualize their repository workflows.

Laravel Forge videos

Laravel Vapor vs Laravel Forge

More videos:

  • Review - Why I'm switching from managed WordPress hosting to Laravel Forge and Digital Ocean
  • Review - PHP Reviews: Fraym and October CMS, Laravel Forge

SmartGit videos

SmartGit's Distributed Reviews

More videos:

  • Review - Getting Started with SmartGit
  • Review - SmartGit's GitHub Integration

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Laravel Forge and SmartGit)
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Git
0 0%
100% 100
Hosting
100 100%
0% 0
Git Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Laravel Forge and SmartGit

Laravel Forge Reviews

  1. I like how php based apps are deployed here

    I have tested other solutions , and I had some issues with Nginx because it was giving me 405 error everytime someone tried to make a post request to my server url, but with Laravel Forge that didn't happen and it was all smooth and successful.

    🏁 Competitors: Ploi.io
    👍 Pros:    Mature product

SmartGit Reviews

Best Git GUI Clients of 2022: All Platforms Included
The tool lets you compare or merge files and edit them side-by-side. It can resolve merge conflicts by using the Conflict Solver. SmartGit also provides SSH client, an improved rebase performance and Git-Flow that allows you to configure branches without additional tools.
Boost Development Productivity With These 14 Git Clients for Windows and Mac
If you are looking for a cross-platform git GUI, you can try SmartGit. You can easily install the software on macOS, Linux, or Windows computers. Moreover, the tool runs smoothly on your device without slowing it down.
Source: geekflare.com
Best Git GUI Clients for Windows
The SmartGit free Git GUI allows users to perform all the tasks required to work with their repositories. It provides the possibility to view and edit files side-by-side and allows resolving merge conflicts automatically. With Git-Flow support, you can configure branches directly in the tool. There is no need to use any additional software.
Source: blog.devart.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Laravel Forge seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 32 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Laravel Forge mentions (32)

  • Laravel Cloud
    This is actually a 3rd option for laravel. I assume they are making money to support the project by offering these curated cloud deployment offerings. https://vapor.laravel.com/ https://forge.laravel.com/ https://app.laravel.cloud/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Laravel API Tutorial: Build, Document, and Secure a REST API
    Now that this is all in place, we want to actually deploy our API. Now, when it comes to deploying APIs in Laravel, there are multiple approaches you could take. Laravel Forge is a great option, and will automatically deploy for you to your own infrastructure based on GitHub webhooks. Another option is to use something like Ploi.io which is similar to Laravel Forge but built and maintained by a different company.... - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Setting Up Laravel on Your Own Server: A DIY Guide
    Before you go through the pain and challenge of configuring your own server you should perhaps consider Laravel forge. I trust they would know better how to deploy a laravel app. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Laravel Ecosystem in 2024
    Laravel Forge: Laravel Forge simplifies server management, deployment, and scaling of Laravel applications. It provides an easy-to-use interface for configuring servers, deploying code, managing databases, and more. Ideal for developers who want to automate server management with minimal effort. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • PHP is the new JavaScript?
    The comments on this thread are interesting. I use Laravel extensively. For big applications, serving lots of users. It works when the application is relatively complex, and the ecosystem is second to none. Need to just throw it up on a server? There's Forge[1]. A better CI/CD process? Envoyer[2]. Want serverless? Not for me, but Fathom[3] use it to deal with >100Ms of hits a day; there's Vapor[4]. All three of... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
View more

SmartGit mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SmartGit yet. Tracking of SmartGit recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Laravel Forge and SmartGit, you can also consider the following products

Ploi.io - Stop the Hassle. Start deploi'ing. Use Ploi.io for easy site deployments. We take all the difficult work out of your hands, so you can focus on doing what you love: developing your application.

GitKraken - The intuitive, fast, and beautiful cross-platform Git client.

RunCloud - Hassle-free PHP web application & server management panel

SourceTree - Mac and Windows client for Mercurial and Git.

ServerPilot.io - Centralized hosting control panel for Wordpress and PHP web sites

GitHub Desktop - GitHub Desktop is a seamless way to contribute to projects on GitHub and GitHub Enterprise.