Alternatives to LocalTunnel for exposing your local development server to the internet

#webdev #programming #beginners #tutorial

Here are some alternatives to LocalTunnel for exposing your local development server to the internet:

Description: One of the most popular tools for exposing local servers.
Features:
- Secure tunnels with HTTPS.
- Detailed request logging and replay.
- Supports custom subdomains (paid plans).
Command:
```
 ngrok http 8080
```
Website: https://ngrok.com

Description: A tool by Cloudflare to securely expose local servers to the web.
Features:
- Free for basic use.
- Built-in DDoS protection.
- Easy integration with Cloudflare services.

Command:

 cloudflared tunnel --url http://localhost:8080

Website: https://developers.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-one/connections/connect-apps

Description: A PHP-based alternative for exposing local servers.
Features:
- Works well with Laravel and other PHP frameworks.
- Custom subdomains.
Command:
```
 expose share http://localhost:8080
```
Website: https://expose.dev

Description: A self-hosted tunnel solution.
Features:
- Ideal for developers who prefer self-hosted solutions.
- Paid version for production use.

Command:

 inlets client --remote wss://your-server --upstream=http://localhost:8080

Description: A reliable and long-standing option.
Features:
- Supports HTTP, HTTPS, and SSH tunneling.
- Free for personal use with bandwidth limits.
Command:
```
 pagekite.py 8080 yourname.pagekite.me
```
Website: https://pagekite.net

Feature	Ngrok	Cloudflare Tunnel	Serveo	Expose	Inlets	Pagekite
Free Tier	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Custom Subdomain	✅ (Paid)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Installation	Required	Required	Not Req.	Required	Required	Required
Self-Hosting	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌

Choose based on your specific requirements, such as ease of use, security, or budget!

DEV Community