Top XAMPP Alternatives for Local Web Development
XAMPP is a completely free, easy-to-install Apache distribution containing MariaDB, PHP, and Perl, making it an incredibly popular choice for local web development. However, while XAMPP is free even for commercial uses and straightforward to set up, there are many reasons why developers might seek a different solution. Perhaps you need specific features, better integration with certain operating systems, or a more lightweight option. Whatever your reason, exploring a reliable XAMPP alternative can significantly enhance your development workflow.
The Best XAMPP Alternatives
Looking for a different local server environment? Here's a curated list of top-notch XAMPP alternatives that offer diverse features, platforms, and functionalities to suit your specific development needs.
WampServer
WampServer is a Windows web development environment that allows you to create web applications with Apache, PHP, and the MySQL database. It's a free and open-source solution, perfect for Windows users, offering features like Database Publishing, Google Drive integration, and a built-in IDE for web development.
Apache HTTP Server
Apache HTTP Server, commonly known as Apache, is a powerful and widely used web server. It's a free and open-source platform available across Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD. As a core component often bundled in XAMPP, Apache itself can be a standalone XAMPP alternative if you prefer to build your stack from the ground up, offering high configurability and modularity.
MAMP
MAMP installs a local server environment on your computer in seconds. It's a freemium solution available for Mac and Windows, providing a robust web development environment with PHP, a web server, and PHPMyAdmin integration. MAMP is a great XAMPP alternative for those looking for a quick and easy setup without compromising existing system configurations.
Laragon
Laragon is an all-in-one web server for Windows, packing Apache, MySQL (MariaDB), PHP, phpMyAdmin, and more into a portable and powerful package. It stands out as an excellent XAMPP alternative due to its auto Virtual Host feature, support for Django, Python, Nginx, and WordPress, and its highly portable nature.
AMPPS
AMPPS is an easy-to-install software stack of Apache, MySQL, PHP, Perl, Python, and the Softaculous auto-installer. Available for free on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's a comprehensive XAMPP alternative that simplifies web development with features like guided configuration and WordPress support.
Devilbox
The devilbox is a highly-configurable, Docker-based alternative to XAMPP. This free and open-source solution works across Mac, Windows, and Linux by leveraging Docker, making it an ideal choice for developers who prefer containerized environments for consistency and isolation in their projects.
BitNami Application Stacks
BitNami Stacks make it incredibly easy to deploy your favorite open-source software, including an application and all its dependencies. These free and open-source stacks are available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, offering features like one-click installation, LAMP support, Ruby, and WordPress, serving as a robust XAMPP alternative for quick project setup.
UwAmp
UwAmp is a Wamp Server that includes Apache, MySQL, PHP, and SQLite. This free Windows-only solution comes with a smart interface providing extensive information, configuration options, and commands. Its portable nature and focus on web development make it a handy XAMPP alternative for Windows users.
Ulti Server
Ulti Server allows you to run a complete PHP and MySQL server directly on your Android phone or tablet. This free Android app is a unique XAMPP alternative for mobile development, supporting DyDNS, FTP, FTPS, SFTP, SSH, and offering LAMP stack capabilities.
The Uniform Server
The Uniform Server is a WAMP package for MS Windows OS computers. It's a small, mobile, and free XAMPP alternative that requires no installation. Offering PHP and PHPMyAdmin support, it's perfect for developers who need a highly portable and self-contained server environment.
Choosing the right XAMPP alternative depends heavily on your operating system, specific project requirements, and personal preferences. Whether you need a full-fledged stack, a lightweight server, or a Dockerized environment, the options listed above provide excellent ways to set up your local development environment. Explore each one to find the perfect fit for your next web project!