Native, fast Laravel and PHP development environment.
Includes essential tools like PHP, Nginx, Composer, and Laravel installer.
Offers advanced debugging and service management with a Pro version.
Pricing: Free plan available
Best for: Growing teams
Pros & Cons
Pros
Extremely fast due to native binaries (no containers/VMs)
Easy one-click setup for Laravel development
Comprehensive suite of included development tools
Seamless PHP version management
Powerful debugging features in Pro version
Cons
Advanced features like debugging and service management are Pro-only
Specific to Laravel and PHP development, not a general-purpose environment
Preview
Key Features
Native binaries for PHP and NginxIncludes Composer, Laravel installer, and ExposeSupports PHP versions 7.4 - 8.5Pin sites to specific PHP versionsAutomatic PHP installation updatesBlazing fast debugging (Pro)Formatted dump() and dd() output (Pro)Integrated nvm for Node.js version management (Pro)
Pricing Plans
Free
Free
Native binaries for PHP, nginx, and other services
Includes Composer, Laravel installer, and Expose
Manage multiple versions of PHP (7.4 - 8.5)
Share site configurations with herd.yml
Integrate directly with Laravel Forge
Pro
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Blazing fast debugging (dump() and dd() formatting)
Frontend tooling included with nvm
Seamlessly run and manage services (MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Redis, Typesense, Meilisearch, MinIO, Laravel Reverb)
Laravel Herd is a native and blazing-fast development environment designed specifically for Laravel and PHP projects. It provides everything developers need to get started quickly, including PHP, Nginx, Composer, the Laravel installer, and Expose, all without relying on containers, VMs, or virtualization methods. This approach ensures a highly performant local setup.
The tool aims to simplify the local development workflow by offering a seamless experience for managing PHP versions, running complementary services, and debugging applications. It's built for developers who want a streamlined, efficient, and headache-free environment to build and test their Laravel applications locally.
For those seeking advanced capabilities, Herd Pro extends the free offering with features like enhanced debugging, integrated frontend tooling with nvm, and comprehensive service management for various databases and tools. It's ideal for individual developers and teams looking to optimize their local development setup for Laravel projects.
Laravel Herd is a native and fast development environment for Laravel and PHP projects. It provides all necessary components like PHP, Nginx, Composer, and the Laravel installer, enabling developers to set up and manage their local development sites quickly and efficiently without relying on virtual machines or containers.
How much does Laravel Herd cost?
Laravel Herd offers a free version that includes essential features for getting started with Laravel development. There is also a 'Herd Pro' version which provides additional advanced capabilities, implying a paid subscription for these premium features.
Is Laravel Herd free?
Yes, Laravel Herd is available for free and includes everything needed to begin Laravel development. However, it also offers a 'Herd Pro' version with advanced features that are not included in the free tier.
Who is Laravel Herd for?
Laravel Herd is designed for PHP and Laravel developers who need a fast, native, and easy-to-use local development environment. It's suitable for individual developers and teams looking to streamline their workflow and manage multiple projects and services efficiently.