3 Best Ngrok Alternatives for Tunneling (Free & Paid)

If you’ve ever needed to expose a local development server to the internet, you’ve probably heard of Ngrok. It’s a popular tool among developers for secure tunneling, quick web app previews, and testing webhooks without deploying code. However, despite Ngrok’s features and ease of use, some users seek alternatives due to pricing restrictions, limitations with free plans, or the desire for more customization and self-hosting options.

TL;DR

Ngrok is great, but it’s not the only option. This article explores three powerful alternatives to Ngrok that offer both free and paid plans. Whether you’re looking for open-source solutions, better pricing, or specific features like custom domains or multi-user support, these options have something to offer. Read on to find the best tunneling service to fit your development workflow.

1. LocalTunnel – Best for Beginners and Simple Use Cases

LocalTunnel is one of the simplest and most lightweight alternatives to Ngrok. It’s open-source and provides an easy way to share your local web server on the internet with zero configuration.

Why choose LocalTunnel?

• Open-source and free – Ideal for developers looking for a no-cost tool.
• Zero configuration – You can start tunneling with a single command.
• Custom subdomains (when available) – Lets you reserve a subdomain like my-app.localtunnel.me.

Use Case: You have a small project or want to test webhooks quickly during development without worrying about time limits or accounts.

Commands look like:

npx localtunnel --port 3000

Pros:

• Very easy to use
• Instant setup – no registration required
• No cost

Cons:

• Unstable at times due to high public usage
• Limited to basic tunneling – no password protection or analytics
• Subdomains are not always guaranteed

2. Cloudflare Tunnel (Previously Argo Tunnel) – Best for Security and Reliability

Cloudflare Tunnel, formerly known as Argo Tunnel, is a robust and secure tunneling solution offered by Cloudflare. It allows you to expose your local server to the internet through Cloudflare’s vast global network, ensuring superior performance and security.

What makes Cloudflare Tunnel stand out?

• Strong security features – Includes SSL/TLS, access control policies, and firewall integration.
• Free plan available – Generous for personal projects.
• Built-in DDoS protection – Powered by Cloudflare’s extensive network.
• Custom domain support – Easily route your tunnel through your own domain via DNS.

Pricing:

Cloudflare Tunnel is included in Cloudflare’s free tier, though advanced features such as traffic analytics and access management come with higher-tier plans.

Pros:

• Unmatched performance and stability
• Secure by default
• Ideal for long-term hosting or production environments

Cons:

• More complex setup compared to Ngrok or LocalTunnel
• Requires domain configuration and familiarity with Cloudflare dashboard

Perfect Use Case: You want a secure tunnel for a staging or production app, and you’re already using (or willing to use) Cloudflare DNS.

cloudflared tunnel --url http://localhost:3000

3. Teleport (by Gravitational) – Best for Teams and Large Projects

Teleport is a powerful access and tunneling platform built with enterprise-grade security in mind. Unlike Ngrok or LocalTunnel, Teleport isn’t just about sharing a port – it’s about secure infrastructure access for entire teams.

Main Features Include:

• SSH access over tunnels – Secure remote access for servers and Kubernetes clusters.
• Role-based access control – Granular permissions for users and teams.
• Audit logs and session recordings – Particularly useful for security compliance.
• SAML, GitHub, Okta integration – For secure team authentication.
• Support for tunnels as well as full-blown infrastructure access

Pricing:

• Open-source edition – Free for basic use
• Enterprise license – Paid, with more advanced features and support

Why use Teleport?

Teleport is overkill for small side projects or quick webhooks, but it’s a fantastic option if you’re looking for a secure way to share infrastructure access across development, staging, and production environments.

Pros:

• End-to-end encrypted access
• Enterprise-grade security features
• Open-source and customizable

Cons:

• Much more complex setup
• Primarily for infrastructure access – not just HTTP tunneling
• Requires DevOps knowledge to implement

Comparison Table

Final Thoughts

Ngrok revolutionized how developers run and test applications, but it’s not the only game in town. Whether you’re a freelancer needing a quick test environment, a startup building a secure CI/CD pipeline, or a DevOps engineer managing large-scale infrastructure, there’s a tunneling tool out there to fit your needs.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Choose LocalTunnel if you want a free and quick setup for casual debugging.
• Use Cloudflare Tunnel for performance, stability, and powerful security built-in.
• Adopt Teleport if you need access controls and infrastructure-level sharing.

Each of these tools has its own strengths, depending on what you’re building and how you work. By choosing the right alternative, you can improve productivity, security, and collaboration during development and beyond.