Uncovering the Best Lando Alternatives for Local Development

Lando is a powerful, free, open-source, and cross-platform local development environment and DevOps tool built on Docker container technology. It helps developers quickly set up and manage project-specific services and tooling, automate complex workflows, and avoid the direct complexities of Docker or Docker-Compose. However, as with any software, developers often seek Lando alternatives that might better suit their specific workflows, operating systems, or feature requirements. Whether you're looking for a simpler setup, a different technology stack, or specific integrations, there's a strong likelihood an alternative will fit your needs.

Top Lando Alternatives

If you're exploring options beyond Lando for your local development and DevOps needs, you're in luck. The market offers a variety of tools, each with unique strengths. Here are some of the top contenders that can serve as excellent substitutes for Lando, catering to diverse preferences and project requirements.

XAMPP

XAMPP is a completely free, open-source Apache distribution that includes MariaDB, PHP, and Perl, making it a comprehensive Lando alternative for setting up local web servers. It's incredibly easy to install and available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and as a PortableApps.com package. Its features like Web Server capabilities, support for FTP, MariaDB, and Node.js make it a versatile tool for web development, offering a straightforward approach compared to Lando's Docker-centric model.

WampServer

WampServer is a free, open-source Windows web development environment that allows you to create web applications with Apache, PHP, and MySQL. It also includes PHPMyAdmin. As a Lando alternative, WampServer is ideal for Windows users seeking a simple, integrated solution without the overhead of Docker. Its focus on PHP and MySQL makes it a great choice for traditional web development stacks.

Laragon

Laragon is a free, all-in-one web server solution for Windows, bundling Apache, MySQL (MariaDB), PHP, phpMyAdmin, cmder, Memcached, Redis, composer, and XDebug. It stands out as a Lando alternative for its incredible speed and ease of setup, particularly with its auto virtual host feature. For developers working with PHP, Python, or WordPress on Windows, Laragon provides a powerful and portable local development environment without the need for Docker containers.

MAMP

MAMP (Mac Apache MySQL PHP) is a freemium local server environment that can be installed on your Mac or Windows computer in seconds. It's a straightforward Lando alternative for developers who prefer a traditional LAMP/MAMP stack setup without Docker. With features like PhpMyAdmin, WordPress integration, and a focus on PHP web development, MAMP provides a simple and effective way to run local web projects.

Devilbox

The devilbox is a free, open-source, highly-configurable, Docker-based alternative to XAMPP, available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. For those who appreciate Lando's Docker integration but seek more control or a different approach, Devilbox offers a robust Dockerized environment. Its focus on being highly configurable makes it a strong choice for developers with specific container orchestration needs.

Fenix Web Server

Fenix Web Server is a free, open-source desktop web server for developers, available for Mac and Windows. It offers a simple, visual, and static web server with collaboration features. As a Lando alternative, Fenix is excellent for front-end developers or those needing a lightweight server for static sites, providing a GUI-driven approach that simplifies local hosting.

Kalabox

Kalabox is a free, open-source tool for faster local development for Drupal, WordPress, and beyond, available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It focuses on simplifying website development and deployment, acting as a Lando alternative particularly for those heavily involved with CMS platforms. Its LAMP stack features and WordPress integration make it a strong contender for web developers seeking a streamlined workflow.

DockerStacks

DockerStacks is a free, Mac-only Laradock GUI built on top of Docker, Electron.js, Node-Pty, and Xterm.js. For Mac users who appreciate Lando's Docker-centric approach but desire a graphical interface for managing their Docker environments, DockerStacks is an excellent Lando alternative. It simplifies the starting, stopping, and rebuilding of Docker containers, particularly for LAMP stack configurations.

Websites

Websites is a free, simple, lightweight, and secure web server for Mac with a convenient and simple interface. It includes automatic certificate renewal through Let’s Encrypt. As a Lando alternative, Websites is perfect for Mac developers needing a straightforward local server with SSL certificate support, offering a minimalistic approach to local hosting.

Ultimately, the best Lando alternative for you will depend on your specific project requirements, preferred operating system, and comfort level with different technologies. We encourage you to explore these options further to find the perfect fit for your local development workflow.