Alternatives to LocalCan

A macOS app that gives localhost a stable public URL for testing webhooks and sharing previews. 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 LocalCan.

  • ngrok

    A tunnelling agent and gateway that exposes a local app to the internet with request inspection.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSCommand line

    ngrok runs on Windows and macOS as well, with a free tier and request inspection, but traffic routes through ngrok's broader commercial platform.

  • localhost.run

    A tunneling service that exposes a local web server to the internet using ordinary SSH.

    FreemiumProprietaryCommand line

    localhost.run works with the standard SSH client on any system and needs no sign-up for free tunnels, but free domains change between sessions.

  • Pinggy

    A tunneling service that gives localhost a public URL over SSH, with a web debugger for traffic.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxWebCommand line

    Pinggy works over plain SSH on Windows, macOS and Linux with a web debugger for replaying requests, though free tunnel URLs change on reconnect.

  • Tunnelmole

    An open-source tunneling tool that gives a server running on localhost a public HTTPS URL.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hostedCommand line

    Tunnelmole is open source and can be self-hosted, giving a local port a public HTTPS URL on several platforms, unlike the paid macOS-only LocalCan.

  • zrok

    An open-source tunneling tool for sharing local services and files publicly or privately, built on OpenZiti.

    FreemiumOpen sourceSelf-hostedCommand line

    zrok is open source, built on OpenZiti, and supports private sharing and file sharing, with hosted or self-hosted options, but requires an invite to start.

  • LocalXpose

    A hosted tunneling service with a client binary that exposes local servers to the internet.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    LocalXpose is a hosted tunneling service with a client for many platforms and automatic TLS, with a free tier, but its client is closed source and needs an account.

  • Expose

    A tunneling service with an open-source client that gives local sites a public URL.

    FreemiumOpen sourceCommand line

    Expose has an open-source client and works through firewalls and VPNs, though hosted tunnels depend on the Beyond Code service and some features need Pro.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.