Let’s face it – ngrok is the big name in tunneling tools, but it’s not always the perfect fit. Maybe you’re tired of hitting bandwidth caps or being nickel-and-dimed for extra domains. Or perhaps you’re just looking for something different. Whatever your reason, I’ve got you covered with this rundown of the best ngrok alternatives in 2025.
Also check out my latest docker article on Self-Hosting Expose, which might be an option for you.
Why People Are Looking Beyond ngrok
Before diving into the alternatives, let’s quickly talk about why folks are exploring other options:
- That bandwidth cap is annoying: 1GB free, 5GB for $10/month? Come on.
- Domain limitations: Only one custom domain included with paid plans, then $14 per domain/month after that? Ouch.
- No commercial use allowed on free or personal plans
- Can’t self-host it: It’s closed-source, so you’re stuck with their infrastructure
- Missing UDP tunnels in basic offerings
- Gets expensive fast when scaling up
Let’s check out what else is out there!
Top ngrok Alternatives You Should Try in 2025
1. Pinggy.io
Pinggy.io might be my favorite alternative right now. It’s super streamlined and packs a punch.
What’s cool about it:
- No need to download anything – just use SSH
- Unlimited bandwidth (yes, really!)
- Supports UDP tunnels (which ngrok doesn’t)
- Comes with a neat terminal UI with QR codes
- Built-in request inspector to debug HTTP traffic
- Works everywhere: Mac, PC, Linux, Docker
Pricing:
- Free tier for testing
- Paid plan starts at just $2.50/month (annual billing)
- Everything included in one plan – no feature gating
The good:
- Way cheaper than ngrok
- Super simple to use – one command does it all
- No signup required for quick tests
- Custom domains included
The not-so-good:
- No OAuth 2.0 authentication
- No global load balancing features
Perfect for: Developers who want something simple, cheap, and feature-rich without the hassle.
2. LocalXpose
LocalXpose is another solid option that gives you pretty much everything ngrok does.
What’s cool about it:
- Full HTTP/HTTPS, TCP/TLS, and UDP tunnel support
- Wildcard custom domains
- Built-in file server for sharing files
- Request and response viewer for debugging
- Has a GUI if you prefer clicking to typing
Pricing:
- Starts at $6/month for 10 tunnels
The good:
- UDP support (big win over ngrok)
- Nice GUI interface
- Comprehensive protocol support
- Easy file sharing
The not-so-good:
- You need to download their client
- Can’t integrate it directly as a library
- No OAuth 2.0 support
Perfect for: Anyone who prefers a visual interface and needs broad protocol support.
3. LocalCan
LocalCan takes a different approach with a one-time payment model, but it’s Mac-only.
What’s cool about it:
- Creates shareable URLs on *.localcan.dev or your custom domains
- Publishes .local domains on your network
- Traffic inspector built-in
- Can replay network requests
- Basic Auth for restricted access
Pricing:
- One-time payment: $67 (single device) or $97 (2 devices)
- No monthly subscriptions ever
The good:
- Pay once, use forever
- Super easy setup
- Great for inspecting and debugging traffic
- No CORS or HTTPS headaches
The not-so-good:
- Mac only (sorry Windows/Linux folks)
- Higher upfront cost
Perfect for: Mac users who hate subscriptions and want a native app experience.
4. Cloudflare Tunnel
Cloudflare Tunnel leverages Cloudflare’s massive network for secure tunneling.
What’s cool about it:
- Uses a lightweight client called cloudflared
- Outbound-only connections (great for security)
- Works with HTTP, SSH, and more
- Built-in DDoS protection
- Comprehensive logging
Pricing:
- Free for personal use
- Paid plans start at $7/month (part of Zero Trust package)
The good:
- Rock-solid documentation and support
- Enterprise-grade security
- Great if you’re already using Cloudflare
- Excellent performance
The not-so-good:
- Your domain needs to use Cloudflare DNS for custom domains
- Setup can be a bit complex
- Gets pricey at scale
- Some users report reliability issues
Perfect for: Businesses already in the Cloudflare ecosystem who need serious security and performance.
5. Tailscale
Tailscale isn’t strictly a tunneling tool – it’s more of a VPN solution – but its Funnel feature makes it a solid ngrok alternative.
What’s cool about it:
- Mesh VPN built on WireGuard
- The Funnel feature exposes services publicly
- Zero-trust security model
- Works on pretty much everything (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android)
- Plays nice with cloud stuff
Pricing:
- Free for personal use (up to 3 users/100 devices)
- $6 per user/month for business use
The good:
- Super secure (WireGuard is top-notch)
- Works on all your devices
- Easy IP management
- Strong security features
- Open-source underpinnings
The not-so-good:
- Not primarily built for tunneling
- Takes more setup for basic tunneling
Perfect for: Teams who need secure access across multiple environments with serious security requirements.
6. Zrok
Zrok is an awesome open-source option built with zero-trust principles.
What’s cool about it:
- Completely open-source
- Self-hostable (run it yourself)
- Public and private sharing options
- Built-in file server
- UDP tunnel support
Pricing:
- Free (self-hosted)
- Managed service from $7/month
The good:
- Open-source = transparency
- Self-hosted means you control everything
- Private network options
- Modern security approach
The not-so-good:
- No traffic inspection or replay tools
- Initial setup can be tricky
Perfect for: Security-focused developers who want open-source and self-hosting options.
7. Localtunnel
Localtunnel keeps it simple as an npm package with no frills.
What’s cool about it:
- Comes as an npm package
- Can be used as a JS library in your code
- Basic HTTP/HTTPS tunneling
- Super simple CLI
Pricing:
- Completely free
The good:
- Dead simple to use
- No account needed
- Free with no restrictions
- Great for JavaScript projects
The not-so-good:
- No TCP tunnels
- No TLS tunnels
- No custom domain support
- Needs Node.js installed
Perfect for: JavaScript devs who need something quick and free for HTTP tunneling.
8. Serveo
Serveo is as minimal as it gets – no downloads, just SSH.
What’s cool about it:
- Zero client installation
- Uses SSH to create tunnels
- Supports custom subdomains
- Custom domain support
Pricing:
- Free (they accept donations)
The good:
- Nothing to download
- No signup needed
- Completely free
- Can request specific subdomains
- Custom domain support
The not-so-good:
- No authentication options for tunnels
- No traffic debugging
- No UDP support
- Pretty bare-bones compared to paid options
Perfect for: When you need something right now with zero setup.
9. PageKite
PageKite has been around forever (14+ years) and remains a solid option.
What’s cool about it:
- HTTP(S) and TCP tunnels
- IP whitelisting built-in
- Password authentication
- Custom domain support
- Open-source Python code
Pricing:
- Free tier with 2GB transfer/month
- Plans start at $5.99/month
The good:
- Battle-tested reliability
- Open-source codebase
- Good security features
- Custom domains even on free tier
The not-so-good:
- Client download required
- Limited free bandwidth
- Smaller community than newer tools
Perfect for: Developers who value stability and open-source solutions.
10. DIY Open-Source Options
If you like tinkering, these open-source projects are worth checking out:
frp: Fast Reverse Proxy
- Supports everything: TCP, UDP, HTTP, HTTPS
- Custom domain support
- Token authentication
- Traffic compression
- Load balancing
bore: Super minimal TCP tunneling
- Ultra lightweight
- Simple command line
- Focused on TCP
chisel: HTTP-based tunneling
- Uses WebSockets for tunneling
- Built-in encryption
- Easy to configure
Perfect for: Developers who want complete control and don’t mind some DIY setup.
Quick Comparison
Tool | Free Stuff | Starting Price | Custom Domains | UDP Support | Self-Hosting | Traffic Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ngrok | 1GB/month | $10/month | Yes (paid) | No | No | Yes |
Pinggy.io | Yes | $2.50/month | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
LocalXpose | Limited | $6/month | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
LocalCan | No | $67 (one-time) | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Cloudflare Tunnel | Yes | $7/month | Yes | Yes | No | Limited |
Tailscale | 3 users | $6/user/month | Limited | Yes | No | No |
Zrok | Yes | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Localtunnel | Unlimited | Free | No | No | Yes | No |
Serveo | Unlimited | Free | Yes | No | No | No |
PageKite | 2GB/month | $5.99/month | Yes | No | Yes | Limited |
How to Pick the Right One
Here’s how to figure out which one’s right for you:
What are you using it for?
- Quick demos or sharing:
Try Pinggy.io, Serveo, or Localtunnel - Ongoing development:
LocalXpose, LocalCan, or Cloudflare Tunnel - Business/enterprise use:
Cloudflare Tunnel or Tailscale - Security-critical stuff:
Zrok, Tailscale, or something open-source
Technical needs?
- Need UDP support?
Go with Pinggy.io, LocalXpose, Cloudflare Tunnel, or Zrok - Need custom domains?
Most offer them, but check if they’re included or extra - Need traffic inspection?
Pinggy.io, LocalXpose, and LocalCan are great for this
Budget?
- Free forever:
Localtunnel or Serveo - Cheap monthly:
Pinggy.io is the winner at $2.50/month - No subscriptions:
LocalCan with one-time payment - Business-level:
Cloudflare Tunnel or Tailscale
Technical comfort?
- “Just work, please”:
Pinggy.io or Serveo - Some setup is fine:
LocalXpose or LocalCan - I enjoy configuring things:
Try self-hosting Zrok or frp
Bottom Line
There’s never been a better time to look beyond ngrok. Whether you want something simpler, cheaper, more powerful, or just different, there’s an alternative that’ll work for you.
My top picks:
- Best all-around:
Pinggy.io – easy, cheap, and feature-packed - Best for Mac users:
LocalCan – pay once and forget - Best for businesses:
Cloudflare Tunnel – serious security and performance - Best free option:
Serveo – zero setup and completely free - Best DIY solution:
Zrok or frp – powerful if you like setting things up yourself
The tunneling world is constantly evolving, and these alternatives show there’s plenty of innovation happening beyond ngrok. Try a few and see which one clicks with your workflow!
More Links
Need more inspiration, check out Awesome Tunneling!
