Laravel Herd alternatives: 2 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Laravel Herd: databases, Redis and mail tools need the paid Pro licence, and no Linux version. We ranked 2 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Laravel Herd, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. DDEV currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	DDEV	Open source	Yes	macOS, Windows, Linux	4 of 4	59.6
2	Docker Desktop	Free plan + paid	No	macOS, Windows, Linux	5 of 5	51.2

1. DDEVTop pick
Best for: PHP teams and agencies that want identical, container-based local environments for every developer
Open sourcemacOS, Windows, Linux
59.6
score / 100
Why switch from Laravel Herd
Free, open-source and Docker-based, so every teammate gets the same environment on any OS.
Pros
Free and open source under Apache 2.0
Same environment for everyone on macOS, Windows and Linux
Quickstarts for Drupal, WordPress, Laravel and 25+ other project types
Automatic HTTPS and custom local domains
Cons
Needs Docker or another container runtime installed
Uses more RAM and disk than native stacks
Command-line only, with no official desktop GUI
Visit DDEV Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.377
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is DDEV a good Laravel Herd alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
License
Apache-2.0
Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Platforms
macOS, Windows, Linux, Codespaces
Checked Nov 1, 2026ddev.com(opens source in a new tab)
Based on
Docker
Checked Nov 1, 2026ddev.com(opens source in a new tab)
Supported frameworks
Drupal, WordPress, Laravel, TYPO3, Craft CMS, Symfony, 25+ more
Checked Nov 1, 2026ddev.com(opens source in a new tab)
2. Docker Desktop
Best for: Developers and teams who want the standard Docker setup that tutorials and company docs assume
Free plan + paidmacOS, Windows, Linux
51.2
score / 100
Why switch from Laravel Herd
Roll your own containers when you need exact production parity rather than a native stack.
Pros
The reference Docker setup, so docs and tutorials match what you see
Built-in Kubernetes cluster you can switch on from settings
Same app and interface on macOS, Windows and Linux
Extensions add third-party tools to the dashboard
Cons
Larger companies must pay per user, even for basic use
Heavier on memory, CPU and battery than lighter Mac alternatives
Closed source, unlike Podman Desktop or Rancher Desktop
Visit Docker Desktop Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.341
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Docker Desktop a good Laravel Herd alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Free plan
Docker Personal, $0
Checked Oct 29, 2026docker.com(opens source in a new tab)
Starting price
Pro, $9 per user/month billed annually
Checked Oct 29, 2026docker.com(opens source in a new tab)
Free licence covers
Small businesses, personal use, education
Checked Oct 29, 2026docs.docker.com(opens source in a new tab)
Platforms
macOS, Windows, Linux
Checked Oct 29, 2026docs.docker.com(opens source in a new tab)
Kubernetes
Built in
Checked Oct 29, 2026docker.com(opens source in a new tab)