Running WordPress locally is essential for testing, development, and experimentation without affecting a live website. There are several solutions available, each catering to different needs. Below, we explore the best ways to set up WordPress on your local machine, along with useful links.
1. Local by Flywheel
Local is a powerful, free local development environment designed primarily for WordPress developers. It enables users to build, test, and deploy WordPress sites efficiently on their local machines before pushing them live. Originally developed by Flywheel, Local is now owned and maintained by WP Engine.
- One-click WordPress installation
- Easy site cloning and backups
- SSL support for local development
- Integration with WP Engine and Flywheel hosting
Best For
- Beginners and advanced users who need a quick setup
- Developers working with multiple WordPress environments
2. XAMPP
XAMPP is a popular open-source solution that includes Apache, MySQL, and PHP, making it perfect for running WordPress locally.
Features
- Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Manual configuration for better control
- Support for multiple PHP versions
Best For
- Users comfortable with manual configurations
- Those looking for a free, flexible development environment
3. MAMP
MAMP is a local development tool designed for macOS and Windows. It provides a powerful solution for running WordPress locally with a preconfigured setup.
Features
- Apache and Nginx support
- Includes MySQL and PHP
- MAMP PRO offers additional professional features like multiple PHP versions and virtual hosts
Best For
- macOS and Windows users who want a straightforward installation
- Developers looking for a more feature-rich solution
4. Docker with WordPress
Docker allows you to run WordPress in an isolated containerized environment, which ensures consistency across different development setups.
Features
- Lightweight and scalable
- Easily replicable environments
- Works across all operating systems
To set up WordPress with Docker, use the official WordPress Docker image and run:
|
1 2 3 |
docker run --name wordpress -p 8080:80 -e WORDPRESS_DB_HOST=db -e WORDPRESS_DB_USER=user -e WORDPRESS_DB_PASSWORD=password -e WORDPRESS_DB_NAME=wordpress -d wordpress |
Best For
- Advanced developers
- Teams working on multiple projects with different environments
5. DevKinsta
DevKinsta is a local development tool from Kinsta that provides an easy way to create WordPress sites with a graphical interface.
You might need to use a private tab for the download!
Features
- Based on Docker
- One-click WordPress site creation
- Built-in database management
- Integration with Kinsta hosting
Best For
- Developers using Kinsta hosting
- Those looking for a streamlined workflow
What do I use
I’ve been exploring various local server setups over the past few months to optimize performance for kiosk systems.
- If you want the absolute lightest option: XAMPP
- If you need a GUI and prefer easy setup: MAMP (Free Version)
- If you like a modern UI and Lite Mode is enough: Local by Flywheel
I’m using XAMPP for kiosk setups and Local for quick testing on my Mac. Local also makes it easy to clean up old codebases and databases—just finished tidying up a multisite with 8 subsites! ;)
