Our best web server for localhost is Apache HTTP Server. It is the most popular web server because of its easy configuration and wide range of features, including access logging, filtering by IP address or by file extension, and mod_rewrite rulesets for redirecting URLs This article also discuss best localhost for wordpress and best localhost server for windows

Apache is the web server software which works on a number of platforms and it’s open source. It uses HTTP protocol to serve static content and can be configured to run applications written in any programming language that you like. Apache uses a multi-process architecture, offering a high degree of stability, reliability and scalability to handle busier Web sites.

best web server for localhost

1- XAMPP

XAMPP is probably the oldest local development environment around you and possibly the most complex one. XAMPP stands for X-platform Apache MariaDB, PHP, and Perl.

It is an open-source platform and supports all major operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, etc. Also, it’s completely free.

Key Features

• Lets you set up a software stack including Apache, MariaDB, PHP, and Perl
• Provides the option to choose from multiple XAMPP versions, depending on which PHP release you want to use
• Offers a VM-based local WordPress experience, if you’re a macOS user and download the corresponding version
• Enables you to use a simple dashboard tool to manage all your new services
• Makes it possible to set up WordPress manually, or use a standalone installer (if you want to)

Limitations of XAMPP

• No autonomous process
• No other way but to create a database every time
• PHP, MySql version cannot be upgraded without reinstalling

Pricing

XAMPP is a 100% open-source package. There’s no premium version with hidden features, so you’re free to use it in any way you see fit.

2- DesktopServer

DesktopServer is a Windows and macOS tool that enables you to create multiple local WordPress websites using a simple step-by-step wizard.

Despite the fact that there is a free version of the tool, you still need to register to download it, which is a small price to pay.

Key Features

• Includes a wizard to help you set up new local WordPress websites
• Enables you to map domains to your local sites
• Lets you duplicate or delete your sites at any time
• Makes it possible to manage up to three local sites, using the software’s free version
• Supports Apache, MySQL, and PHP 5.5

Limitations of DesktopServer

• The free version offers more limited features than other WordPress localhosts
• It only supports a single type of environment

Pricing

So far, we’ve only talked about DesktopServer’s free version. There’s also a premium alternative, which starts at $99.95 per year.

3- MAMP

MAMP stands for Mac Apache MySQL and PHP. Earlier it was a macOS only application but it’s now available for Windows too. MAMP provides all the tools that are needed to run WordPress on a desktop PC for testing or development purposes. 

It does not matter whether you prefer the web server Apache or Nginx in addition to MySQL as a database server, or whether you want to work with PHP, Python, Perl, or Ruby.

Key Features

• Enables you to set up an environment based on Apache, MySQL, and PHP
• Lets you use different versions of the software, depending on which PHP release you want to set up
• Supports a lot of additional languages, including Python and Perl
• Provides the option to set up local WordPress websites manually.

Limitations of MAMP

• Free version offers limited features
• It doesn’t let you run multiple types of environments at the same time

Pricing

Throughout this section, we’ve only focused on MAMP’s free version. However, there’s also a premium option available. It starts at $59 for both macOS and Windows.

4- Laragon

Laragon provides a super fast, easy-to-use, productive, and powerful development environment for all. It is portable and very flexible.

You can move the Laragon folder around (to other disks, to other laptops, synchronize with Cloud) and the magic of Laragon will be with you.

Key Features

• Instantly creates local sites, no configuration is needed
• Multiple CMS sites can be created. (e.g. WordPress, Joomla, Drupal)
• Three versions are available – Portable, lite, and full
• Multiple versions of PHP, MySQL, and Apache can be installed
• Different extensions can be installed
• Tutorials are available

Limitations of Laragon

• There is no cloning or migration feature
• Also missing blueprint feature

Pricing

Laragon is a 100% open-source package which means it is completely free to download and use.

5- Local by Flywheel

Local by Flywheel is one of the most straightforward tools you can use to set up a local testing environment for WordPress. As it stands, the application packs plenty of features.

There are also further developments on the horizon, such as the ability to import remote sites and enable off-site backups.

Key Features

• Enables you to set up local WordPress websites with a few clicks
• Lets you monitor the status of all your existing sites from a list
• Provides the option to access your sites’ dashboards, databases, and local directories with a click
• Makes it possible to create live links, to share access to your local projects
• Offers the option to set up blueprints, to easily deploy WordPress websites using the settings you prefer

Limitations of Local by Flywheel

• Supports only WordPress site
• Only perfect for smaller outfits and projects with less strict requirements

Pricing

Completely free to download and use.

Which WordPress Localhost to Choose

Now, we know the features, strengths, and limitations of all the WordPress localhost services that we have mentioned above. If we make a comparison table of these services, how it will look? Let’s check it out.

All the WordPress localhost applications mentioned here are popular. Each localhost for WordPress will run seamlessly on your machine.

However, from our point of view, we can say that if you are using Windows operating system then it’s better to use Laragon and if you are using macOS then use Local by Flywheel.

If you want a cross-platform WordPress localhost, you can choose XAMPP without any hesitation. Because it supports all the major operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.

best localhost for wordpress

MAMP

MAMP (which stands for Macintosh, Apache, MySQL and PHP) lets you set up a localhost environment on OS X. Version 3 of the software has been released and there’s also a beta version available for Windows.

We recently published a great guide to setting up MAMP on the blog, which walks you through installing the program, basic MAMP configuration, creating a MySQL database, and installing WordPress. The post includes optional steps for setting up Multisite.

MAMP is free, but there’s also a premium version available multi-PHP, the ability to set up any number of virtual servers, and the option to install WordPress automatically.

More info: MAMP

XAMPP

XAMPP is a popular, free and open source localhost PHP development environment available for Windows, OS X and Linux.

We also recently published a tutorial on setting up XAMPP, which guides you through set up, using the XAMPP control panel, setting up a MySQL database, installing WordPress and setting up Multisite.

The Apache Friends website includes a fantastic forum for users who run into trouble and need some help. I ran into a few problems with setting up the software (mostly firewall issues) and was able to quickly search the forums for a solution.

More info: XAMPP

DesktopServer

Desktop Server is so easy to set up it can take as little as 5 minutes to get WordPress up and running on your local machine. After setting many localhost environments, this software has become part of my regular workflow when testing WordPress plugins and themes.

I wrote a guide on how to use Desktop Server recently, which walks you through set up and installing the latest version of WordPress.

Unfortunately, you’ll need to upgrade to the premium version of the software in order to set up Multisite. The limited version of Desktop Server allows you just three WordPress installs.

More info: DesktopServer

WampServer

WampServer is a popular Windows web development environment that allows you to create web applications with Apache2, PHP and MyDQL.

This is another localhost environment I’ve written about on the blog, with a guide on how to set up the software, create a MySQL database, install WordPress and (optionally) set up Multisite.

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More info: WampServer

Duplicator

The free and popular Duplicator plugin lets you clone a WordPress site for use in another location. This is especially help if you want to create an exact copy of your site to use as a testing environment on your local machine or on your hosting account.

Creating an exact duplicate of your site will allow you to test plugins, themes and even upgrades to WordPress before making changes to your live site.

Unfortunately, this plugin doesn’t support Multisite.

More info: Duplicator

Instant WordPress

Instant WordPress is a complete standalone, portable WordPress development environment that turns any Windows machine into a development server. It’s so portable it will even run from a USB key.

The free software comes with its own built in Apache web server, PHP and MySQL installations that are started and stopped automatically.

More info: Instant WordPress

Bitnami WordPress Stack

Bitnami offers a free WordPress stack that is self-contained and will have you up and running with WordPress in minutes. The WordPress stack is available for OS X, Linux, WordPress virtual machines and in the cloud.

The great thing about Bitnami is that the service tracks every release of WordPress and the stack is updated shortly after new releases, including security releases.

After installing Bitnami WordPress Stack, I was surprised I was able to login to my new WordPress site so quickly and wondered if I had missed any steps. It really is easy to use this software to quickly set up a test environment.

More info: Bitnami WordPress Stack

Sandbox

The Sandbox plugin creates an exact copy of your WordPress site on your existing hosting account, providing A test environment completely independent of your site that’s hidden from visitors and search engines.

This free plugin is best for small sites as it can take a while to replicate a site. I tested the plugin in a Multisite installation and it worked fine, though it’s confusing to know when you’re using the sandbox version of your site, despite the notice at the top of the page.

best localhost server for windows

1. Xampp- open source

Xampp is one of the best free software to create a localhost web server with PHP, Apache, and MySQL services. It is an open-source program and cross-platform, which means we cannot only use it on Windows but also on macOS and Linux platforms. If you want to use the Xampp on older Windows platforms such as XP and Windows Server 2003 then download XAMPP 1.8.2-6 because the latest version is not compatible.

To create a localhost web server and deal with the latest web apps efficiently, the Xampp stack packed with the latest versions of Apache, MariaDB, PHP, phpMyAdmin, OpenSSL, XAMPP Control Panel, Webalizer, Mercury Mail Transport System, FileZilla FTP Server, Tomcat (with mod_proxy_ajp as a connector) and Strawberry Perl Portable.

It is purely designed to test to use as a test system, thus, allow quick start of various inbuilt servers with just one click. Also, the user can download varied pre-build modules such as Wordrpess, PrestaShop, Magento, Drupal, and many more to quickly deploy your favorites CMS, Forum, Wiki, Ecommerce to start testing.

However, not XAMPP only, also the other mentioned Localhost web server creator platforms are pure test systems and aim to be quickly ready for usage. Accordingly, not intended to serve as a commercial web server on the Internet, because they do not offer sufficient protection against possible hacker attacks there.

Visit the website to download Xampp.

2. Ampps- Localhost server with Softaculous

Well, in most of the free software available to create a local web server environment, the user has to install even common web applications manually which could be a cumbersome task, especially for beginners and a little bit time-consuming for advanced users. Thus, in such scenarios, Ampps is the best option not to only create a localhost server on Windows 10/8/7 but also to install various open-source CMS, E-commerce store, Wiki, web-based DB management tools, Ad Management, ERP system, Poll Management, and more. Thanks to Softaculous integration which allows users to run various pre-configured scripts to install open-source web-based software in just one click, just like we do in hosting services.

Furthermore, it also gives a quick access tray icon to start and stop Apache and MySQL services. The Nginx is also there, in case someone doesn’t want to use Apache as the webserver

It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. Thus, a good alternative to Xampp.

Download Ampps

3. WampServer localhost webserver

The next popular free Windows 10/8/7 tool, dedicated to setting up the localhost web server, is Wamp Server. Most of us dealing with websites and other web testing on Windows would already know about it. It also offers the LAMP environment in a single package to install and control their services from a quick control panel buttons.

This Windows web development environment is not available for macOS and Linux. Apart from Apache2, PHP, and a MySQL database, it offers phpMyAdmin to manage database instances easily. Furthermore, if you are looking for Wamp portable server then try out UwAmp.

Get the WampServer

4. MAMP

If you are already using any of the above-given software then I don’t think you would need this one, however, to make sure all the good software should be in this best localhost server for Windows list, MAMP is here. Basically, it is a lightweight software that is available for both macOS and Windows, however, if you are professional then there is also a pro version for Windows with some extra features and a nice front-end.

For the webserver, it has both Apache and Nginx, to Database management MySQL or MariaDB whereas, in terms of web development languages PHP, Perl and Python come along with MAMP.

Furthermore, with a one-time payment the user can add the MAMP cloud functionality to backup a host and database, this helps the user to easily move data in the safest possible way.

Download Free MAMP for Windows

5. UwAMP portable WAMP server

This is really a nice alternative for the above-mentioned top localhost servers for web development if you are looking for portability. Yes, those want to move their web project and web server along in a USB drive, then consider trying out UwAMP. The interface is very easy to handle and to the subject, that means you will have only those options that are necessary such as buttons to start and stop Apache + MySQL service and to access PHP, Apache, MySQL configuration along with phpMyAdmin.

We already have done a tutorial on it where we have shown how to use UwAMP and the process of WordPress installation on it.