Alternatives to Local

A desktop app that sets up and runs WordPress sites on your own computer for development. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Local.

  • MAMP

    A local web server environment with Apache or Nginx, MySQL and PHP for macOS and Windows.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOS

    MAMP provides a general Apache or Nginx, MySQL and PHP stack on macOS and Windows for any PHP site, but has no Linux version or built-in Live Links.

  • XAMPP

    Apache, MariaDB, PHP and Perl packaged as one local development stack.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    XAMPP is open source and runs any PHP site with Apache and MariaDB, but you install WordPress yourself and lose Local's one-click sites and client preview links.

  • Laragon

    A lightweight, portable local development environment for PHP, Node.js and other web stacks on Windows.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindows

    Laragon is a lightweight Windows-only environment for PHP, Node.js and other stacks with automatic SSL, so it covers more than WordPress but not macOS or Linux.

  • Laravel Herd

    A native PHP and Laravel development environment for Windows and macOS with PHP and nginx included.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOS

    Laravel Herd is a native PHP environment for Windows and macOS aimed at Laravel, with database tools in the paid Pro tier and no Linux version.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.