Top Acquia Dev Desktop Alternatives for Drupal Development
Acquia Dev Desktop has long been a go-to solution for Drupal developers, offering a convenient XAMPP stack specifically tailored for creating new sites and streamlining maintenance of Drupal development environments. However, as the ecosystem evolves, many developers are seeking powerful and flexible Acquia Dev Desktop alternatives to better suit their workflows and platform preferences. Whether you're looking for broader compatibility, more features, or a different approach to local server management, there are several excellent options available.
Best Acquia Dev Desktop Alternatives
Looking to switch from Acquia Dev Desktop? Here are some of the leading alternatives that provide robust local development environments for your web projects, ranging from general-purpose WAMP/MAMP stacks to specialized tools.
XAMPP
XAMPP is a completely free and open-source Apache distribution that includes MariaDB, PHP, and Perl. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's a versatile web server that provides excellent portability and supports various web development features like Node.js and JavaScript, making it a strong all-around Acquia Dev Desktop alternative for cross-platform development.
WampServer
WampServer is a free, open-source Windows web development environment that bundles Apache, PHP, and MySQL. It also comes with PHPMyAdmin for database management, providing a comprehensive solution for Windows users. Its focus on Windows makes it a streamlined Acquia Dev Desktop alternative for those exclusively developing on that platform.
MAMP
MAMP (Mac Apache MySQL PHP) is a popular local server environment for Mac and Windows. It's a freemium option that can be installed quickly without compromising existing server installations. With features like PhpMyAdmin and WordPress integration, MAMP serves as an intuitive and efficient Acquia Dev Desktop alternative, particularly for those who prefer a clean, quick setup.
AMPPS
AMPPS is an easy-to-install software stack featuring Apache, MySQL, PHP, Perl, Python, and the Softaculous auto-installer. Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it’s suitable for both desktop development and office servers. Its guided configuration and WordPress support make it a powerful and user-friendly Acquia Dev Desktop alternative for developers needing broad language support.
Denwer
Denwer is a collection of essential web servers for web programmers, designed for debugging websites under Win32. This free personal, self-hosted option includes a friendly installer, Apache, PHP, and MySQL. Its focus on portability and developer tools makes it a solid Acquia Dev Desktop alternative for Windows users looking for a lightweight, all-in-one package.
Fenix Web Server
Fenix Web Server is a free and open-source desktop web server for developers, available on Mac and Windows. It offers a simple and visual static web server experience with collaboration features. While more specialized for static sites, its ease of use and GUI make it a distinct Acquia Dev Desktop alternative for certain project types.
Portable Webserver
Portable Webserver is a free, self-hosted Windows application that allows you to carry and run your web applications anywhere. It’s quick and easy to configure, featuring PHP, PhpMyAdmin, and a focus on portability (especially on USB drives). For developers needing a truly mobile Acquia Dev Desktop alternative, this tool is highly useful.
Neard
Neard is a free and open-source portable WAMP software stack for Windows, including Apache, OpenSSL, PHP, MySQL, and more. It offers an extensive array of developer tools, supporting MariaDB, MongoDB, Python, Ruby, and WP-CLI. Its comprehensive feature set and portability make it a very strong and flexible Acquia Dev Desktop alternative for Windows users.
SecureWAMP
SecureWAMP is a free and open-source solution for Windows that allows you to set up a complete and secure WAMP system quickly, administered entirely via a GUI. Compared to other WAMPs, its emphasis on security and intuitive interface makes it a distinct Acquia Dev Desktop alternative for developers prioritizing ease of management and robust protection.
Kalabox
Kalabox offers faster local development for Drupal, WordPress, and beyond, aiming to simplify website development and deployment. This free and open-source tool is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, focusing on providing a seamless LAMP stack experience. For Drupal and WordPress developers, Kalabox is a highly relevant and specialized Acquia Dev Desktop alternative that streamlines the entire workflow.
Each of these Acquia Dev Desktop alternatives offers unique strengths, from broad platform compatibility and extensive feature sets to specialized support for specific CMS platforms. By considering your operating system, project requirements, and desired level of configuration, you can choose the best local development environment to empower your web development journey.