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    LocalWP

    Local is a free desktop app for building, testing and backing up WordPress sites offline, with one-click links to share a site for review.

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    ToolTrim verdict3.6/ 5Average

    There is no paid tier to weigh: every feature is free, so the only cost is the time spent learning the add-ons ecosystem.

    LocalWP, preview 1
    About

    In practice. What you can do with LocalWP.

    Local gives developers and freelancers a dedicated offline environment to build and iterate on WordPress sites without a live server. Live Links generate a temporary public URL for client or team review, Connect and Cloud Backups handle syncing and backups, and an add-ons ecosystem covers tools like Advanced Custom Fields or WP Migrate.

    Since Local 6.0, every feature that used to require a paid 'Local Pro' subscription is free for all users, so there is no pricing tier to compare. The main trade-off is scope: Local is built specifically for WordPress, and it is maintained by WP Engine, which also sells managed WordPress hosting.

    Practical uses

    • Build offline, share instantlyDevelop a WordPress site locally, then generate a Live Links URL so a client can review it before it goes live.
    • Back up before risky changesUse Cloud Backups to snapshot a local WordPress site before testing a plugin or theme update.

    Features & use cases

    Devops

    Pros and cons. What LocalWP does well, and what to expect.

    Pros

    • Every feature, including the formerly paid Pro add-ons, is free since Local 6.0.
    • Live Links let a client or teammate review a local site without deploying it anywhere.

    Cons

    • Built specifically for WordPress, so it does not help with other CMS or framework-based local development.
    • Maintained by WP Engine, a managed WordPress hosting provider, which is worth knowing for a hosting-agnostic workflow.

    When it makes sense. Keep LocalWP, or challenge it?

    Keep if

    • You build or maintain WordPress sites and want a free local environment with built-in client review links and backups.

    Challenge if

    • You need a general-purpose local server stack for non-WordPress projects, or want to avoid a tool maintained by a hosting provider.

    Pricing. What does LocalWP cost ?

    Free

    $0

    Permanent free plan

    • All features, including the formerly paid Pro add-ons, included at no cost.

    Official pricingChecked on September 25, 2026

    Alternatives. What could replace LocalWP?

    Direct substitutes

    Our verdict. What to know about LocalWP.

    Why this verdict

    Average

    Added value

    All features, including the formerly paid Pro add-ons, are free since Local 6.0, so there is no cost to justify against alternatives.

    Simplicity

    A dedicated local WordPress environment with one-click Live Links and Cloud Backups needs no server configuration skill to get a working site.

    Fit for purpose

    Delivers local build/test, client review links, sync and backups as described, specifically for WordPress.

    Performance

    Covers the core local WordPress workflow well but stays WordPress-specific, unlike general-purpose local server stacks.

    Reversibility

    Neutral score: whether local sites and backups export cleanly to another local dev tool is not covered by the collected sources.

    LocalWP Summary

    Category
    productivity tool.
    Price from
    Free.
    Best for
    A developer or freelancer building and testing WordPress sites who wants a free local environment with client review links and backups.
    Avoid if
    You need a general-purpose local server stack for non-WordPress projects, or want to avoid a tool maintained by a hosting provider.
    ToolTrim verdict
    There is no paid tier to weigh: every feature is free, so the only cost is the time spent learning the add-ons ecosystem.

    Frequently asked questions.

    What to know before choosing LocalWP.

    What is LocalWP used for?

    Local is a free desktop app for building, testing and backing up WordPress sites offline, with one-click links to share a site for review.

    How much does LocalWP cost?

    LocalWP costs $0 (free). Price verified on 2026-09-25.

    Is LocalWP suitable for beginners?

    A developer or freelancer building and testing WordPress sites who wants a free local environment with client review links and backups.

    Is LocalWP worth the price?

    There is no paid tier to weigh: every feature is free, so the only cost is the time spent learning the add-ons ecosystem.

    What are the best alternatives to LocalWP?

    No direct alternative listed.

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