15 Best Ngrok Alternative | 2025 Update

Ngrok is a popular tool that lets developers expose their local apps or services to the internet, even if they’re working behind a firewall or NAT. It’s like opening a secure tunnel between your private machine and the web. There are several Ngrok alternatives that many developers now rely on for a wide range of use cases.

What makes it powerful is its flexibility, you can run it on your computer, in a private network or in the cloud. You just grab the ngrok download, spin up a tunnel, and your local host is now accessible online. It’s clean, fast, and battle-tested.

In this article, I’ll break down the 15 best Ngrok alternatives to consider in 2025. These tools aren’t just random picks, they’ve been tested and talked about across developer communities, including on ngrok alternative Reddit discussions.

What Is Ngrok

Ngrok is a powerful tool that lets you securely share your local web apps or APIs over the internet without deploying them. Instead of putting your project online, you can send someone a link that tunnels directly to your local host. It’s like a personal testing environment that feels like it’s life, which is why developers love it for demos, webhook testing, and local development.

But make no mistake—Ngrok isn’t a VPN. VPNs expose your entire network. Ngrok only creates access to specific local services, using protocols like HTTPS, TLS, or TCP.

Now, here’s where it falls short. Despite its popularity, Ngrok doesn’t support UDP, doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption by default, and is completely closed-source. That makes it tough to extend or troubleshoot in complex setups. And for what it offers, ngrok pricing can feel a bit steep especially when you’re scaling or just starting.

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Top 15 Best Ngrok Alternatives in 2025

Here are the top 15 best Ngrok Alternatives in 2025:

#1. Onionpipe

Onionpipe is a privacy-first ngrok alternative developed by the Tor Project. It forwards local server ports to Tor Onion addresses, creating secure and anonymous hidden services—no IPv4, IPv6, or HTTPS required.

Unlike other tools, Onionpipe emphasizes anonymity. It’s ideal for developers concerned about privacy and is often discussed on ngrok alternative Reddit threads for its unique Tor-based tunneling approach. If you’re a fan of communities like Reddit, you might also enjoy exploring Reddit alternatives that are trending in 2025.

While powerful, Onionpipe isn’t for beginners. The setup is complex, documentation is limited, and it only supports Onion addresses, not HTTPS. It doesn’t suit game hosting like ngrok alternative Minecraft users may want, but it shines for private, censorship-resistant port forwarding.

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#2. PageKite

PageKite is a lightweight, open-source ngrok alternative that’s been around for over a decade. It’s designed to expose localhost web and SSH servers to the internet without needing a static IP or complex DNS setup. Written in Python, it runs on any system that supports the language.

It supports HTTP(S) and TCP tunnels, making it a reliable option for port forwarding. PageKite also includes useful features like adaptive compression, password protection, IP whitelisting, and flexible domain naming.

The PageKite download is quick, and the setup is beginner-friendly. The free tier includes 2 GB of traffic and custom domain support, while paid plans remain budget-friendly. Among ngrok alternative Reddit discussions, PageKite is often praised for its simplicity, transparency, and reliability—especially when you’re looking for low-cost ngrok pricing alternatives.

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#3. Cloudflare Tunnel

Cloudflare Tunnel is a secure and scalable ngrok alternative offered by Cloudflare. It uses a lightweight daemon called Cloudflare to create outbound-only tunnels from your device to Cloudflare’s global edge network—no need for a public IP or open ports.

It supports HTTP, SSH, and RDP protocols, making it great for secure port forwarding and protecting services from direct exposure. Developers often mention it in ngrok alternative Reddit threads for its Zero Trust architecture, DDoS protection, and simple setup.

Cloudflare Tunnel works well for hosting apps and even Minecraft servers behind firewalls. It’s also a great choice if you’re testing mobile-focused projects, especially on Android devices. For that, you might want to check out these Android alternatives to the iPhone 15 Pro Max that work seamlessly with development tools like this.

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#4. Serveo

Serveo is a no-install, no-signup ngrok alternative that makes exposing your local server incredibly easy. With just a single SSH command, you get a public URL that connects directly to your local host which is ideal for quick testing, sharing, or lightweight demos.

It supports subdomains and custom domains, and since it uses native SSH, it works seamlessly across most systems. On ngrok alternative Reddit threads, developers often recommend Serveo for its ease of use and zero-setup approach.

However, Serveo lacks advanced features like tunnel authentication, UDP support, and traffic inspection. Still, for those seeking the best ngrok alternative port forwarding solution with minimal hassle, it’s a reliable choice.

Serveo is 100% free to use, and while there’s no official ngrok pricing to compare, donations are encouraged to support the platform.

Download Here

#5. LocalXpose

LocalXpose is a powerful ngrok alternative designed for developers who need more than just basic HTTP tunneling. It supports HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, TLS, and even UDP—something Ngrok doesn’t offer. That’s why it’s often named in ngrok alternative Reddit threads as the best ngrok alternative port forwarding tool.

With a simple LocalXpose download, you get a clean GUI, a built-in file server, wildcard domain support, and a traffic inspector for easier debugging. It’s ideal for hosting apps, testing APIs, or even managing Minecraft servers.

While it lacks OAuth 2.0 and plugin support, most users find those limitations easy to overlook. LocalXpose pricing starts at just $6/month for 10 tunnels, offering solid value for its rich feature set and full protocol coverage.

Download Here

#6. Zrok

Zrok is an open-source ngrok alternative built on OpenZiti, offering a secure, zero-trust networking model for both public and private resource sharing. It’s self-hosted, making it a great fit for developers who want full control over their network tunnels.

Zrok supports UDP tunnels, private network sharing and even includes a built-in file server—features that often get praise in ngrok alternative Reddit threads. It’s a strong option for those looking for the best ngrok alternative port forwarding with advanced flexibility.

While the initial setup can be complex and lacks traffic inspection tools, Zrok’s open-source nature gives developers room to customize and grow.

There’s no official ngrok pricing to compare here—Zrok is free to use, but you’ll need to host it yourself on a server.

Download Here

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#7. Beeceptor

Beeceptor isn’t a traditional tunnel like Ngrok, but it’s a handy ngrok alternative for developers focused on API testing and traffic debugging. It allows you to create mock API endpoints instantly, inspect HTTP requests in real-time, and debug without spinning up a full backend server.

This tool is frequently mentioned in ngrok alternative Reddit threads for use cases where tunneling isn’t needed but precise request monitoring is essential. It’s ideal for frontend developers or teams working on integrations that require stable mock APIs.

While it doesn’t support port forwarding or Minecraft servers, it fills a niche Ngrok doesn’t. Developers working in startup ecosystems or fintech may find it handy—just like some prefer PitchBook competitors for market research over traditional platforms.

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#8. localtunnel

Localtunnel is a simple, developer-friendly ngrok alternative available as an npm package. It creates secure HTTP/HTTPS tunnels to your local host, giving you a public URL in seconds. It’s ideal for Node.js developers who want quick sharing or testing without deploying to a server.

Since it’s built-in JavaScript, you can also use it as a library within your projects. Many users on ngrok alternative Reddit recommend Localtunnel for quick demos or one-off testing.

It’s free to use but has limitations—no support for TCP or TLS tunnels, and no custom domain features. Still, for fast and easy setups, it remains a reliable ngrok download alternative. There’s no paid tier, so you won’t need to worry about ngrok pricing comparisons here.

Download Here

#9. Telebit

Telebit is a privacy-focused ngrok alternative that allows developers to share local servers securely using automatic HTTPS and IPv6 support. It simplifies tunneling by automatically generating SSL certificates and offering encrypted connections without needing complex configuration. This can be especially useful when testing location-based apps. Here’s how to change your iPhone location without using a VPN to simulate real-world scenarios.

It’s ideal for developers looking for secure, encrypted tunnels with minimal setup—perfect for fast testing, remote access, or sharing local projects. You can expose a local port with a simple command like telebit HTTP 3000, and you’re live.

Although it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of Ngrok, it’s lightweight and open-source. On ngrok alternative Reddit, it’s praised for its privacy-first design and ease of use.

Telebit is free to use, with no complex ngrok pricing structure to worry about, and installation is as quick as a simple bash download.

Download Here

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#10. FRP (Fast Reverse Proxy)

FRP is a high-performance, open-source ngrok alternative built for developers who need complete control over tunneling. It supports HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, and UDP tunnels, making it a strong pick for advanced port forwarding use cases—including Minecraft server setups.

FRP lets you expose local services behind NAT or firewalls with full flexibility. It also supports reverse proxying, custom domains in LAN, and secure modes like stcp and xtcp for private or high-volume peer-to-peer connections.

Though setup may require some technical experience, its power and versatility often come up in ngrok alternative Reddit communities. Best of all, it’s free—no ngrok pricing tiers to worry about. If you’re comfortable configuring .ini files, FRP is a powerhouse.

Download Here

#11. NetBird

NetBird is an open-source, WireGuard-based ngrok alternative designed to simplify the setup of secure, private networks. Like Tailscale, it enables encrypted tunneling and direct peer-to-peer connections—ideal for remote access, site-to-site connectivity, or building VPNs across systems.

It works across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Docker, and more. NetBird is praised on ngrok alternative Reddit threads for its ease of use, scalability, and security. Features include MFA, SSO, and integrations with tools like Datadog, CrowdStrike, and Amazon S3.

Perfect for developers seeking port forwarding with advanced control, it even works well in game-server setups like ngrok alternative Minecraft use cases.

NetBird is free for small teams. For businesses, pricing starts at $5/user/month—offering a cost-effective alternative to ngrok pricing.

Download Here

#12. SocketXP

SocketXP is a developer-focused ngrok alternative designed for easy tunneling of APIs, webhooks, and IoT devices. With just one command like socketxp tunnel 3000, you can expose your local port to the internet—no hassle.

It supports HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, and more while offering features like custom subdomains, SSL certificates, and webhook forwarding. Developers often mention it in ngrok alternative Reddit threads for its simplicity and reliability in lightweight testing.

SocketXP is great for exposing webhooks, internal dashboards, or smart devices securely—making it one of the best ngrok alternative port forwarding tools for IoT projects.

It’s free to start, and SocketXP pricing for premium features is affordable, especially when compared to ngrok pricing.

Download Here

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#13. Playit.gg

Playit.gg is a gamer-focused ngrok alternative built to support online gaming and server hosting. It offers both TCP and UDP tunnels, making it a top choice for setting up Minecraft servers and similar multiplayer games.

To get started, you’ll need to download Playit.gg, which runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The client is open-source, boosting its credibility among developers and gamers alike.

Playit.gg supports custom domains and subdomains, making port forwarding simple and secure. It frequently appears in ngrok alternative Reddit threads for its ease of use and reliability.

The free plan allows up to 4 TCP and 4 UDP tunnels, while premium plans begin at just $3/month—offering a cost-friendly alternative to ngrok pricing.

Download Here

#14. Pinggy.io

Pinggy.io is a lightweight and fast ngrok alternative known for unlimited bandwidth and instant tunnel creation—no download or signup required. With just a single command, you can share your local website or app, skipping VPNs, DNS configs, or cloud setup.

It supports HTTP, TCP, and UDP tunnels, giving it an edge over Ngrok for game hosting, including Minecraft servers. Developers love its built-in terminal debugger, QR codes for URLs, and support for custom domains.

Mentioned often in ngrok alternative Reddit threads, Pinggy stands out for its simplicity and affordability. The free plan has generous features, and the Pro tier starts at just $2.5/month—making it one of the best low-cost alternatives to ngrok pricing.

Download Here

#15. Tailscale

Tailscale is a trusted ngrok alternative built on open-source WireGuard technology. It offers secure, scalable, and private access to internal services without complex setup. Unlike Ngrok, which is closed-source, Tailscale gives developers full control and transparency.

On platforms like ngrok alternative Reddit, it’s often recommended for those seeking the best ngrok alternative port forwarding tool—especially for teams that want fast, secure tunnels and a clean UI. It’s also popular for hosting Minecraft servers securely behind NAT or firewalls.

Tailscale allows up to 100 connected devices, with a generous free tier. For advanced features, the paid plan starts at $18 per user monthly, offering better value compared to ngrok pricing. It’s open-source, easy to use, and backed by an active community.

Download Here

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FAQs

Conclusion

Ngrok is great, but it’s far from your only option. Depending on what you need—secure tunnels, ease of setup, or better pricing—there are smarter picks. We listed tools like LocalXpose, FRP, and Playit.gg, which show up often in ngrok alternative Reddit threads. Some are better for port forwarding, others for Minecraft servers. If ngrok pricing doesn’t work for you, many of these tools offer better value.

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References

• Pubnub.com – Ngrok alternatives
• Sendbird.com – Top 5 ngrok alternatives to know in 2025

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