Exposing local servers for testing, debugging, or integration with external systems is often a necessity in web development. Ngrok has long been a go-to tool for tunneling, but rising costs, limited features, and the desire for more control have led many developers to look for alternatives. This article will highlight some of the best Ngrok alternatives in 2025, including open-source and self-hosted solutions that provide greater flexibility and control.
Key Factors to Look for in a Tunneling Service
Choosing the right tunneling service is crucial for development workflows. Here are some features to consider when evaluating alternatives:
- Reliability: Ensuring stable connections with minimal disruptions.
- Performance: Optimized latency and throughput for faster operations.
- Security: Ensuring encrypted tunnels and secure authentication options.
- Custom Domains: The ability to use your own domains for tunneling.
- Protocol Compatibility: Support for HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, UDP, and WebSocket.
- Analytics and Monitoring: Tools to inspect requests and analyze traffic patterns.
- Cost Structure: Availability of free tiers, subscription models, or self-hosting options.
Top Ngrok Alternatives in 2025
Open-Source Self-Hosted Options
These tools allow for greater customization and control, especially useful for developers who want to host their own tunneling solutions:
1. Localtunnel
Localtunnel offers a simple, open-source solution for tunneling that’s easy to use and set up.
Key Features:
- Fully open-source (MIT license)
- Minimalistic command-line interface
- Support for custom subdomains
- WebSocket functionality
- Easy to self-host
Best For: Developers who need a no-frills, lightweight option.
npm install -g localtunnel
lt --port 3000
2. frp (Fast Reverse Proxy)
frp is an advanced, feature-rich reverse proxy that supports a variety of protocols and can be self-hosted.
Key Features:
- Fully open-source (Apache-2.0 license)
- Multi-protocol support (TCP, UDP, HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket)
- Load balancing and high availability
- Custom domain support with encryption
- Dashboard for monitoring and configuration
- Extensible with plugins
Best For: Developers who need robust, customizable tunneling solutions.
3. Expose
Expose is an easy-to-use tunneling service with a focus on real-time monitoring, making it ideal for web developers.
Key Features:
- Open-source (MIT license)
- Custom subdomain support
- Request logging and sharing
- Real-time dashboard for monitoring
- Docker support for self-hosting
- Seamless Laravel integration (but works with any framework)
Best For: Developers using Laravel or PHP-based frameworks.
4. Telebit
Telebit is an open-source solution that focuses on security and ease of use.
Key Features:
- Open-source (AGPL-3.0 license)
- Automatic HTTPS using Let's Encrypt
- SSH tunneling support
- Custom domain functionality
- Simple command-line interface
- Option for self-hosting
Best For: Developers requiring a secure tunneling option with HTTPS by default.
5. Bore
Bore is a fast, minimal tunneling solution designed for ease of use and self-hosting.
Key Features:
- Open-source (MIT license)
- Written in Rust for high performance
- Low resource usage
- Fast, simple setup
Best For: Developers seeking a high-performance, minimalistic solution.
cargo install bore-cli
bore server
bore local 8000 --to bore-server-address:7835
6. sish
sish is an SSH-based solution that is simple to deploy and use.
Key Features:
- Open-source (MIT license)
- SSH-based authentication
- HTTP, HTTPS, and TCP tunneling
- Custom domains and WebSocket support
Best For: Developers who are comfortable with SSH and need a straightforward self-hosted option.
Commercial Services with Free Tiers
These commercial services offer free plans suitable for developers who want the convenience of managed services:
7. Pinggy
Pinggy is a browser-based alternative to Ngrok with a clean interface and strong feature set.
Key Features:
- No installation required (runs directly in the browser)
- Free tier with HTTPS support
- Supports TCP, TLS, and WebSocket tunneling
- Real-time log inspection and request filtering
- End-to-end encryption
Best For: Developers who want an easy-to-use, no-setup tunneling service.
8. Cloudflare Tunnel
Cloudflare Tunnel (formerly Argo Tunnel) is a highly reliable, secure tunneling service with no bandwidth limitations on the free plan.
Key Features:
- Zero-trust security model
- Tight integration with Cloudflare’s DNS, SSL, and DDoS protection
- Analytics and monitoring built-in
- Custom domain support
Best For: Developers already using Cloudflare or those needing enterprise-grade security.
9. inlets
inlets offers both open-source and commercial options, making it versatile for cloud-native and Kubernetes environments.
Key Features:
- Open-source core (MIT license)
- Commercial Pro version with additional features
- Supports HTTP and TCP traffic
- Seamless integration with Kubernetes
- Automatic SSL using Let's Encrypt
Best For: Cloud-native development teams and Kubernetes users.
10. Pagekite
Pagekite provides a reliable, simple tunneling solution that supports a range of protocols and is easy to configure.
Key Features:
- Easy configuration and setup
- Custom domain support
- HTTPS and other protocols supported
- Open-core self-hosting option
- Flexible, pay-what-you-want pricing
Best For: Those who need a reliable, cost-effective tunneling solution with flexible pricing.
11. Tunnelto
Tunnelto is a modern, feature-packed solution with a focus on team collaboration and API integrations.
Key Features:
- Real-time traffic inspection
- Custom subdomains
- Supports TCP tunneling
- API integration
- Team collaboration features
Best For: Teams looking for collaborative features and advanced API integrations.
12. Serveo
Serveo is a minimalist tunneling solution that does not require any installation, making it quick and easy to use.
Key Features:
- No client installation needed (uses SSH)
- Custom subdomains
- Supports HTTP and TCP forwarding
- Free to use with limitations
Best For: Quick, no-setup tunneling needs.
How to Select the Right Alternative
When choosing a tunneling solution, consider the following factors:
- Open Source vs. Commercial: Open-source solutions offer flexibility but may require more effort to set up and maintain.
- Traffic Requirements: Evaluate the bandwidth and performance requirements for your project.
- Protocol Needs: Determine whether you need support for protocols beyond HTTP/HTTPS.
- Technical Skill: Self-hosting may require more technical expertise.
- Budget: Compare the cost models, including free tiers and subscription options.
- Security: Some solutions offer enhanced security features like encryption and custom domain support.
- Integration: Consider compatibility with your existing tools and workflows.
Comparison Table of Ngrok Alternatives
| Solution | Open Source | Self-Hostable | Free Tier | Custom Domains | TCP Support | WebSocket Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Localtunnel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | No | Yes |
| frp | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Expose | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Telebit | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bore | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| sish | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pinggy | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cloudflare | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| inlets | Partially | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pagekite | Partially | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Tunnelto | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Serveo | No | No | Yes | Limited | Yes | No |
Conclusion
While Ngrok remains a popular choice for tunneling, many developers are opting for alternatives that offer greater control, customization, and cost-efficiency. In 2025, open-source solutions like frp, Localtunnel, and Expose provide powerful tunneling capabilities, while commercial options like Cloudflare Tunnel and Pinggy offer managed services with robust features. Your choice will depend on factors like security, ease of use, protocol support, and budget.
Which alternative are you planning to use for your tunneling needs? Let us know in the comments!
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