Does Pantheon Support Laravel Hosting?
Thinking of deploying a Laravel app on Pantheon? Here's the honest answer — why Pantheon is built for Drupal and WordPress, not Laravel — and the hosts that actually run Laravel well.
If you already use Pantheon for a Drupal or WordPress site and now have a Laravel app to deploy, the natural question is whether you can just run it on the same platform: "does Pantheon support Laravel?"
The short, honest answer: no — Pantheon is a purpose-built platform for Drupal and WordPress, not a general-purpose Laravel host. It's a great PaaS, just not for this. Here's exactly why, and where Laravel actually belongs.
Why Pantheon can't run Laravel
Pantheon isn't a blank server you deploy any PHP app to. It's a managed platform tuned specifically around Drupal and WordPress — their file structures, their caching, their database patterns, their Dev/Test/Live workflow. That specialization is the whole value, but it also means the runtime expects one of those two CMSes:
- The platform is opinionated. Pantheon's filesystem, routing, and build pipeline assume a Drupal or WordPress codebase. A Laravel app's structure (its
public/root,artisan, queues, custom migrations) doesn't map onto it. - No arbitrary long-running processes. Laravel apps often need queue workers, the scheduler (
schedule:run), and Redis — background processes Pantheon isn't designed to host for a non-CMS app. - It's not a VPS or generic PaaS. You don't get root or an open PHP runtime to shape however you like; you get a managed Drupal/WordPress environment.
So even though Laravel is PHP and Pantheon runs PHP, the platform's assumptions are built around a CMS — not a framework app.
What Laravel actually needs from a host
Laravel runs beautifully — but it wants a host that gives you:
- A
public/document root you can set. - Composer,
artisan, and migrations at deploy time. - Queue workers + the scheduler (a cron entry running
schedule:runevery minute). - Usually Redis/Memcached for cache/queues, and a MySQL/Postgres database.
- Ideally a zero-downtime deploy flow.
Where to host Laravel instead
Three good routes, easiest to most control:
1. Managed Laravel platforms (easiest)
- Laravel Cloud / Laravel Forge + a VPS — Forge provisions a DigitalOcean or Vultr server and wires up the
public/root, queue workers, scheduler, and SSL for you. This is the community-standard setup. - Cloudways (~$14/mo) — managed cloud that supports Laravel with Redis, workers, and Git deploys, without you administering the box.
2. A PaaS that runs any app
- Render — deploy Laravel as a web service, add a background worker for queues and a cron job for the scheduler, plus managed Redis/Postgres. Git-push deploys.
3. A plain VPS (full control)
| Provider | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vultr | ~$2.50/mo | Cheapest for a small Laravel app |
| DigitalOcean | ~$4/mo | Pairs perfectly with Laravel Forge |
| Contabo | ~$5.50/mo | More RAM for queues + Redis |
On a VPS you set the public/ root in Nginx, run workers under systemd/Supervisor, and add the one-line scheduler cron — everything Laravel expects.
FAQ
Can I deploy a Laravel app on Pantheon?
Not as a supported use case. Pantheon is built specifically for Drupal and WordPress; it isn't a general PHP/Laravel host. Use Laravel Forge + a VPS, Cloudways, or Render instead.
Why doesn't Pantheon work for Laravel if it runs PHP?
Because Pantheon is a managed CMS platform, not an open PHP runtime. Its filesystem, build pipeline, and caching assume a Drupal/WordPress app, and it isn't designed for Laravel's queue workers and scheduler.
What's the easiest way to host a Laravel app?
Laravel Forge provisioning a DigitalOcean/Vultr VPS, or Cloudways if you want managed cloud without server admin. Both handle the public/ root, workers, and SSL.
Does Laravel need Redis and a queue worker?
Not strictly, but most real apps use Redis (or Memcached) for cache/queues and run a queue worker plus the scheduler. Pick a host that lets you run those background processes — a VPS or a PaaS like Render.
Key takeaways
- Pantheon does not support Laravel — it's a managed platform for Drupal and WordPress specifically.
- Laravel being PHP doesn't help: Pantheon's runtime assumes a CMS codebase, not a framework app.
- Laravel needs a settable
public/root, queue workers, the scheduler, and usually Redis — things Pantheon isn't built to host. - Best homes for Laravel: Laravel Forge + a VPS (DigitalOcean/Vultr), Cloudways, or Render.
- On a VPS you get full control of the root, workers, and cron — exactly what Laravel expects.
Compare Laravel-friendly hosts in our comparison tool, or read the best Laravel hosting guide for the full breakdown.
Last updated: July 2026
HostDuel Team
The HostDuel team researches and compares web hosting providers to help you make informed decisions.