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Ngrok alternatives

Developer Relations Team on Oct 6, 2024
Ngrok alternatives

Ngrok Alternatives for Developers: Exploring Your Options

Ngrok is a popular tool for exposing local servers to the internet, but it’s not the only option. If you’re looking for alternatives that can provide similar functionality, here’s a list of some of the best Ngrok alternatives along with their features, use cases, and pricing details.

1. Localtunnel

Overview

Localtunnel is a simple and straightforward tool that allows you to expose your local development server to the internet. It creates a secure tunnel to your localhost, giving you a public URL that can be accessed by anyone.

Features

  • Easy to Use: Install via npm and run a single command to get started.

  • Custom Subdomains: Choose your own subdomain for easy access.

  • No Sign-Up Required: Use it directly without creating an account.

Use Case

Ideal for quick demos and sharing projects with clients or team members without needing extensive configuration.

Pricing

Free and open-source.

Installation

npm install -g localtunnel

lt --port 3000 --subdomain mycustomsubdomain

2. Serveo

Overview

Serveo is another simple SSH-based solution to expose your local server to the internet. It doesn’t require installation, as it works directly from the command line.

Features

  • SSH Tunneling: Utilizes SSH for secure connections.

  • No Installation: No need to install any software—just use SSH.

  • Custom Subdomains: You can specify subdomains if needed.

Use Case

Great for developers who prefer using command-line tools and want a quick and easy solution without additional dependencies.

Pricing

Free for personal use.

Usage

ssh -R 80:localhost:3000 serveo.net

3. Pagekite

Overview

Pagekite is a versatile tool that works not only for HTTP and HTTPS traffic but also for SSH and other communication protocols. It’s designed to make it easy to connect local servers to the internet.

Features

  • Supports Multiple Protocols: Works with HTTP, HTTPS, and SSH.

  • Custom Domains: Allows you to use your own domain names.

  • Persistent URLs: You can create permanent links for easy access.

Use Case

Best suited for long-term projects where you need persistent URLs or support for multiple protocols.

Pricing

Offers a free tier with limited bandwidth and paid plans for more extensive usage.

Installation

pip install pagekite

pagekite.py 3000 yourname.pagekite.me

4. Tailscale

Overview

Tailscale is a zero-config VPN solution that makes it easy to connect your devices securely, allowing you to access your local services from anywhere.

Features

  • Mesh Networking: Automatically connects your devices without manual configuration.

  • Access Control: Fine-grained access controls for services.

  • Private Access: All traffic is secured using WireGuard.

Use Case

Excellent for developers needing secure remote access to their entire development environment rather than just a single service.

Pricing

Free for personal use; paid plans for teams with additional features.

Installation

curl -fsSL https://tailscale.com/install.sh | sh

sudo tailscale up

5. Expose

Overview

Expose is a local tunneling tool designed for PHP applications, allowing developers to share their projects effortlessly.

Features

  • Intuitive Interface: Simple command-line interface for easy access.

  • Custom Domains and SSL: Offers features for custom domains and automatic SSL.

  • Web UI: Provides a web interface for monitoring and managing tunnels.

Use Case

Perfect for PHP developers who want to demo their applications without complicated setups.

Pricing

Free and open-source.

Installation

composer global require beyondcode/expose

expose share myproject.local

6. Telebit

Telebit offers privacy-focused tunneling with automatic HTTPS certificates, making it simple and secure for developers to share their local servers.

  • Why Use It: Privacy-focused with automatic SSL and IPv6 support.

  • Ideal For: Developers who need secure, encrypted tunneling with minimal setup.

Example Command: bash Copy code telebit http 3000

7. frp (Fast Reverse Proxy)

frp is a high-performance, open-source reverse proxy that supports multiple protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, and UDP.

  • Why Use It: Highly flexible and supports multiple protocols.

  • Ideal For: Developers who need advanced flexibility and performance for exposing services beyond just HTTP.

Example Command: bash Copy code ./frpc -c ./frpc.ini

8. ZeroTier

ZeroTier provides a peer-to-peer virtual networking solution, allowing developers to securely connect devices on a virtual LAN over the internet.

  • Why Use It: Secure, easy-to-use, and ideal for simulating local network conditions for multiple remote devices.

  • Ideal For: Developers or teams needing persistent, private connections across devices, like a VPN.

Example Command: bash Copy code zerotier-cli join

9. LocalXpose

LocalXpose is another tunneling service that supports both HTTP and TCP tunnels. It offers public and private URL sharing and automatic HTTPS support.

  • Why Use It: Secure with automatic SSL, custom domains, and multiple protocol support.

  • Ideal For: Developers needing flexibility in protocol choice and quick deployment of secure public URLs.

Example Command: bash Copy code lx -port 3000

10. SocketXP

SocketXP is a developer-friendly tunneling service that supports webhooks, SSH, and other protocols, with options for custom domains and SSL certificates.

  • Why Use It: Easy-to-use for API testing, webhooks, and custom domain support.

  • Ideal For: Developers working with webhooks or needing to expose IoT devices to the internet.

Example Command: socketxp tunnel 3000

11. Beeceptor

Beeceptor is a tool primarily used for HTTP request and response testing, making it easy to mock API endpoints. It’s not a traditional tunneling service, but it allows you to inspect traffic in real-time and debug APIs.

  • Why Use It: Great for testing and debugging APIs without deploying a full backend.

  • Ideal For: Developers needing mock API endpoints and real-time request inspection.

Conclusion

Ngrok is a fantastic tool, but it’s not the only one. Depending on your specific requirements—ease of use, security, protocol support, or cost—there’s a variety of excellent alternatives. Localtunnel and Serveo offer simple, no-frills solutions for quick setups, while Pagekite and frp provide more flexibility and protocol support. If security is your primary concern, Tailscale and Telebit are standout options. For specialized needs like API testing or PHP development, Expose, Beeceptor, and LocalXpose may fit the bill. Try a few of these out and find the one that fits your workflow!

Happy coding!