1
Also covers docker and game · same kind of open-source project · open source
Manage game servers with Pelican, an open-source panel built with Laravel and Docker.
Alternatives
The Best Pterodactyl Alternatives in 2026
7 alternatives4 free · 2 open source
Looking for something like Pterodactyl? Here are 7 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 4 are free or have a free plan and 2 are open source.
About Pterodactylgithub.com/pterodactyl/panel
VisitPterodactyl provides an open-source panel for managing game servers in isolated Docker containers.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionPanelManage game servers with Pelican, an open-source panel…Free or freemium optionPelicanPelican helps administrators manage game servers through a…Another optionMcsmanagerDeploy and manage Minecraft or Steam game servers from a…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panel | — | Yes | — |
| 2 | Mcsmanager | — | Yes | — |
| 3 | Pelican | Free | Not stated | Web |
| 4 | Playit.gg | Freemium | Not stated | Linux, macOS, Web |
| 5 | MCSManager | Free | Not stated | Web |
| 6 | SquidServers | Free | Not stated | Web |
| 7 | auto-mcs | — | Not stated | Web |
All Pterodactyl alternatives
2
Also covers docker and game · same kind of open-source project · open source
Deploy and manage Minecraft or Steam game servers from a distributed multi-user control panel.
3
Also covers docker and game · free
Pelican helps administrators manage game servers through a control panel for supported hosting platforms.
4
Also covers docker and game · free plan
Playit.gg lets users host game servers on their own computers and invite friends to connect.
5
Also covers game · free
MCSManager provides administration and deployment tools through a control panel for managing game servers.
6
Also covers game · free
SquidServers provides a free desktop application for creating and managing game servers.
7
auto-mcs
auto-mcs.comAlso covers game
auto-mcs manages Minecraft servers across platforms, helping users set up and play with friends.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
MCSManager7 alternativesMcsmanager24 alternativesPelican10 alternativesPanel18 alternativesPlayit.gg13 alternativesauto-mcs24 alternatives
What is the best alternative to Pterodactyl?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to Pterodactyl are Panel, Mcsmanager, and Pelican.
Is there a free alternative to Pterodactyl?
Yes. Pelican, Playit.gg, and MCSManager are free or offer a free plan.
Are there open-source alternatives to Pterodactyl?
Yes: Panel and Mcsmanager.
Alternatives are suggested from the purpose and features described in our listings. Different pages for the same product appear once. Read each description to check whether it fits your task. How we choose alternatives · Suggest an alternative