Back to Home
Server Compass vs CapRover
Server Compass runs on your desktop, keeping your server clean and fast. No Captain panel installation, no server resources consumed. Better UX with GitHub OAuth, native performance, and a one-time $19 payment.
Own Your Infrastructure
No Vendor Lock-in
VPS Pricing
Desktop
No server install
Native
Desktop app UX
$19
Pay once
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Server Compass | CapRover |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Desktop app + VPS | Server-installed PaaS |
| Installation on server | Required (Captain) | |
| Server resources used | None (runs locally) | Captain service + Docker |
| GitHub OAuth | Built-in | Manual setup |
| User experience | Native desktop UI | Web panel |
| SSH access | Built-in terminal | Separate SSH |
| File browser | Limited | |
| Cron jobs | UI management | Manual setup |
| Docker support | Core feature | |
| PM2 deployments | Docker-focused | |
| Next.js deployments | Via Docker | |
| Static sites | ||
| Self-hosted DB | PostgreSQL, MySQL, Supabase | One-click apps |
| Updates required | Desktop app only | Captain panel updates |
| Security surface | Minimal (no panel) | Web panel exposed |
| Pricing model | $19 one-time + VPS | Free (open source) |
| Multi-server | Single app | Separate install each |
| Offline access | App works offline | Requires server access |
Pricing Comparison
Server Compass
$19
one-time
- Desktop app (lifetime license)
- No server installation needed
- Zero server resource usage
- GitHub OAuth included
- Native desktop performance
- Unlimited deployments
- Unlimited servers
- VPS cost: $5-20/month
Total: $19 once + VPS ($5-20/mo). Your server stays clean and focused on apps.
CapRover
Free
open source
- Self-hosted (open source)
- Requires Captain installation
- Uses server resources
- Manual GitHub setup
- Web panel maintenance
- Security updates needed
- One install per server
- Docker-centric workflow
Free but requires server installation and consumes resources for the panel.
When to Choose Each Platform
Choose Server Compass if...
- You don't want to install Captain on your server
- You want native desktop app performance
- You prefer minimal server footprint
- You want GitHub OAuth without configuration
- You manage multiple servers from one app
- You want to avoid exposing a web panel
- You prefer one-time payments
- You want PaaS UX without server overhead
Choose CapRover if...
- You prefer everything in Docker containers
- You want a web-based PaaS
- You're comfortable with server installation
- You need CapRover's one-click apps
- You prefer 100% open-source tools
- You want Git push deployments
- You like the Captain CLI
Ready to Own Your Infrastructure?
Download Server Compass and start deploying on your own VPS with the same polished experience you expect from premium platforms.