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Tracked since2026
0 reviews trackedThe 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?
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
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 Jun 23, 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
Reviews
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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