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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

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1DDEV logoDDEVOpen sourceYesmacOS, Windows, Linux4 of 459.6
  1. DDEV logo

    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)

The best Laravel Herd alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

DDEV logo

Best Laravel Herd alternative for most people

DDEV

Free, open-source and Docker-based, so every teammate gets the same environment on any OS.

DDEV logo

Best Laravel Herd alternative for a free option

DDEV

Free, open-source and Docker-based, so every teammate gets the same environment on any OS.

Docker Desktop logo

Best Laravel Herd alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Docker Desktop

Roll your own containers when you need exact production parity rather than a native stack.

DDEV logo

Best Laravel Herd alternative for open source

DDEV

Free, open-source and Docker-based, so every teammate gets the same environment on any OS.

DDEV logo

Best Laravel Herd alternative for Mac

DDEV

Free, open-source and Docker-based, so every teammate gets the same environment on any OS.

DDEV logo

Best Laravel Herd alternative for Windows

DDEV

Free, open-source and Docker-based, so every teammate gets the same environment on any OS.

DDEV logo

Best Laravel Herd alternative for Linux

DDEV

Free, open-source and Docker-based, so every teammate gets the same environment on any OS.

Laravel Herd alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Laravel Herd?

DDEV ranks first right now. Free, open-source and Docker-based, so every teammate gets the same environment on any OS.

Is there a free alternative to Laravel Herd?

Yes. DDEV (open source) and Docker Desktop (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Laravel Herd?

Yes: DDEV.

Which Laravel Herd alternatives work on Linux?

DDEV and Docker Desktop run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Laravel Herd?

The complaints we hear most: databases, Redis and mail tools need the paid Pro licence; no Linux version; no trial of Pro, only a money-back period.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Laravel Herd, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.