Local by Flywheel vs DesktopServer

Struggling to choose between Local by Flywheel and DesktopServer? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Local by Flywheel is a Development solution with tags like wordpress, local-development, database, page-builder.

It boasts features such as Local WordPress development environment, Built-in WordPress, database, PHP, Nginx web server, Supports popular page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, etc, Live link sharing to preview sites, Git integration, WP-CLI integration, Custom PHP version selection, SSD caching, Automatic HTTPS, 1-click WordPress installation, Team collaboration features and pros including Fast local development, Easily mimic production environments, No need to setup own local servers, Share live links for previews, Supports latest WordPress and PHP versions, Integrates with popular tools, Collaboration features.

On the other hand, DesktopServer is a Development product tagged with wamp, web-server, testing.

Its standout features include Bundled with Apache, MySQL, PHP and other components required for web development, Allows running a web server on Windows desktop for testing purposes, Open source and free to download and use, Easy to install and configure, Supports running PHP applications locally, Includes phpMyAdmin for MySQL database administration, Allows choosing desired versions of Apache, PHP, MySQL etc during setup, Portable installation allows running from USB drives, Includes web-based DesktopServer control panel, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Simple installation, No need to setup individual components, Great for testing websites locally, Portable installation, Easy to configure, Includes useful tools like phpMyAdmin, Allows choosing component versions.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Local by Flywheel

Local by Flywheel

Local by Flywheel is a local web development environment that allows developers to build WordPress sites on their computer without needing a live server. It comes packaged with WordPress, a database, and built-in support for popular page builders and tools.

Categories:
wordpress local-development database page-builder

Local by Flywheel Features

  1. Local WordPress development environment
  2. Built-in WordPress, database, PHP, Nginx web server
  3. Supports popular page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, etc
  4. Live link sharing to preview sites
  5. Git integration
  6. WP-CLI integration
  7. Custom PHP version selection
  8. SSD caching
  9. Automatic HTTPS
  10. 1-click WordPress installation
  11. Team collaboration features

Pricing

  • Freemium
  • Subscription-Based

Pros

Fast local development

Easily mimic production environments

No need to setup own local servers

Share live links for previews

Supports latest WordPress and PHP versions

Integrates with popular tools

Collaboration features

Cons

Requires purchase for full features

Can be resource intensive

Limited customization compared to own servers

Must sync to live site separately


DesktopServer

DesktopServer

DesktopServer is an open source WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL and PHP) distribution that allows developers to run web server software on Windows desktops for testing purposes. It is free, easy to install and configure.

Categories:
wamp web-server testing

DesktopServer Features

  1. Bundled with Apache, MySQL, PHP and other components required for web development
  2. Allows running a web server on Windows desktop for testing purposes
  3. Open source and free to download and use
  4. Easy to install and configure
  5. Supports running PHP applications locally
  6. Includes phpMyAdmin for MySQL database administration
  7. Allows choosing desired versions of Apache, PHP, MySQL etc during setup
  8. Portable installation allows running from USB drives
  9. Includes web-based DesktopServer control panel

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Simple installation

No need to setup individual components

Great for testing websites locally

Portable installation

Easy to configure

Includes useful tools like phpMyAdmin

Allows choosing component versions

Cons

Not recommended for production use

Limited to Windows platform

Requires some technical knowledge to configure

Not officially supported or updated frequently

Lacks advanced administration features

Security not hardened for public-facing use