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LocalTunnel

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Expose your local web service to the world with a public URL.

Developer ToolsHosting & DeploymentAPI Tools
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Tracked since2026
0 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Easy to set up and use

Biggest con

Requires NodeJS for global installation

TL;DR - LocalTunnel

  • Exposes local web services to the internet.
  • Provides a unique, publicly accessible URL.
  • Simplifies sharing and testing local development work.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups

What is LocalTunnel?

Editorial review
LocalTunnel is a utility that allows developers to easily share a web service running on their local development machine with others, without the need for complex DNS configurations or firewall adjustments. It assigns a unique, publicly accessible URL that proxies all incoming requests to the specified local web server. This tool is ideal for developers who need to showcase their work in progress, test webhooks, or validate UI changes in cloud browsers. By providing a temporary public endpoint, LocalTunnel simplifies the process of collaborating and getting feedback on locally hosted applications, making it accessible to anyone with the generated URL. It eliminates the hassle of deploying to a staging environment just for quick demonstrations or testing.

Available on: Web

how we evaluateSourcetheboroer.github.io ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Easy to set up and use
  • No DNS or firewall configuration required
  • Provides secure HTTPS connections
  • Useful for sharing development progress and testing
  • Supports webhook testing

Cons

  • Requires NodeJS for global installation
  • Tunnel is active only as long as the local instance runs
  • URL is randomly generated and not customizable (based on provided info)

Key Features

Publicly accessible URL for local web servicesSecure HTTPS for all tunnelsProxy requests to a specified local portAPI for testing webhooksCommand-line interface for easy setup

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Aug 21, 2026

Localtunnel

Free

  • Secure https for all tunnels
  • Show your work to anyone
  • Use the API to test webhooks
  • Test your UI in cloud browsers
Calculate your costView full pricing

Is LocalTunnel worth the price?

100/100

LocalTunnel offers a completely free service, which is exceptionally generous compared to any market alternative.

There are no paid tiers, making it an outstanding value for anyone needing to expose local web services. It's best for individual developers, students, or small teams needing a quick and free solution for testing and demonstrations.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

No paid support options

Potential rate limits (undocumented)

No custom domains

How LocalTunnel Compares to Competitors

Compared to services like ngrok, which offers a free tier with limitations and paid plans starting around $10-$20/month for more features, LocalTunnel's entirely free model is a significant differentiator. While ngrok provides more advanced features and reliability for professional use, LocalTunnel is unmatched for basic, no-cost local tunneling.

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Best LocalTunnel Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

Netmaker logo
NetmakerFreemium

WireGuard network management platform

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

LocalTunnel vs NetmakerHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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LocalTunnel FAQ

How does LocalTunnel facilitate sharing local development work?

LocalTunnel allows developers to share a web service running on their local machine by assigning a unique, publicly accessible URL. This URL proxies all incoming requests to the specified local web server, making the application accessible to others without complex setup.

What kind of user benefits most from LocalTunnel?

LocalTunnel is ideal for developers who need to showcase work in progress, test webhooks, or validate UI changes in cloud browsers. It simplifies collaboration and feedback on locally hosted applications by providing a temporary public endpoint.

Does LocalTunnel include a free tier?

LocalTunnel is free to use, and no paid plan is required to access its functionalities. It provides its services without any associated costs.

Which teams would find LocalTunnel most useful?

Development teams can use LocalTunnel to streamline the process of getting quick demonstrations or testing without deploying to a staging environment. It helps in collaborating and getting feedback on locally hosted applications efficiently.

What are the main limitations of using LocalTunnel?

LocalTunnel requires NodeJS for global installation, and the tunnel remains active only as long as the local instance is running. Additionally, the URLs generated are random and not customizable.

How does LocalTunnel compare to Netmaker for exposing local services?

LocalTunnel focuses on providing a simple utility to expose a local web service with a public URL, requiring no DNS or firewall configuration. It's designed for quick sharing and testing of development progress.

Source: theboroer.github.io

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