Choose BunnyStack
If you work on Windows, run several PHP versions at once or build WordPress sites, and want the database, mail catching, Redis and sharing free in one portable app.
Compare · Updated September 2026
BunnyStack vs XAMPP, Laragon and Laravel Herd
Four ways to run PHP locally on Windows. Here is how they compare on price, PHP versions, databases, HTTPS, mail and portability.
Feature comparison
| BunnyStack | XAMPP | Laragon | Laravel Herd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free, open source | Free for non-commercial use; commercial licence from $49 a year | Free; Herd Pro €99 a year for databases, mail and Redis |
| Runs on | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows | Windows, macOS |
| Web server | Caddy | Apache | Apache or Nginx | nginx |
| Database | MariaDB, included | MariaDB, included | MySQL or PostgreSQL, included | MySQL, MariaDB or PostgreSQL in Pro only |
| PHP versions | 5.6 to 8.5, several running at once, one per project | One per download | Several installed, switched globally | 7.4 to 8.5, isolated per site |
| Local domains and HTTPS | name.test with trusted HTTPS | Virtual hosts edited by hand | name.test with automatic SSL | name.test, HTTPS turned on per site |
| Mail catching | Mailpit | Not included (ships a real mail server) | Mailpit | Pro only |
| Redis | One-click install | Not included | Included in the full build | Pro only |
| Share a site publicly | Cloudflare Tunnel | Not included | ngrok | Expose |
| One-step installs | WordPress and Laravel | Not included | WordPress, Laravel and more | Laravel |
| Portable | Yes, runs from any folder or USB drive | Yes, portable build | Yes | No, installer and a Windows service |
| Latest release | 0.9.0 (September 2026) | 8.2.12 (November 2023) | 8.7.0 (August 2026) | 1.30.0 (August 2026) |
Checked against each tool's official website on 30 September 2026. XAMPP, Laragon and Laravel Herd are trademarks of their owners. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Which one fits you?
The right local stack depends on how you work
Each tool is good at something. Here is when we would pick each one.
Choose XAMPP
If you also need macOS or Linux, or Perl and Tomcat. Note that its last release, in November 2023, ships PHP 8.2.
Choose Laragon
If you need PostgreSQL or Nginx on Windows. Commercial use needs a paid licence from Laragon 7 on.
Choose Laravel Herd
If you also work on a Mac or build mostly Laravel apps. Databases, mail catching and Redis need Herd Pro.
Switching
Move your projects to BunnyStack in minutes
Your code and databases come with you. Nothing needs converting.
1. Copy your project folders
Put each site in BunnyStack's www folder and click Sync. BunnyStack detects them and gives each one its own https://name.test address.
2. Pick a PHP version per project
Keep an old site on PHP 7.4 while a new one runs on 8.4, at the same time.
3. Import your databases
Drop a .sql, .sql.gz or .sql.zip dump on the Databases page. There is no upload size limit.
Is BunnyStack a good XAMPP alternative?
Yes, if you work on Windows. XAMPP runs one PHP version per download and leaves virtual hosts and HTTPS to you. BunnyStack runs several PHP versions at once, gives every project a trusted https://name.test address, and adds Mailpit, Redis and one-step WordPress installs.
How does BunnyStack compare to Laragon?
Both are portable Windows apps with .test domains and Mailpit. BunnyStack runs several PHP versions at the same time, one per project, generates every config file from one bunnystack.yaml, and is free. Laragon 7 and later needs a paid licence for commercial use.
Is BunnyStack an alternative to Laravel Herd on Windows?
Yes. BunnyStack includes MariaDB, Mailpit and Redis for free, where Herd needs Herd Pro for databases, mail and Redis. It also creates Laravel projects in one step. Herd is the better pick if you also work on a Mac.
Can I move my existing projects to BunnyStack?
Yes. Copy each project folder into BunnyStack's www folder, click Sync, then import your databases on the Databases page. The user guide walks through it.
Try BunnyStack free
Caddy, PHP and MariaDB on Windows in minutes. No Docker, no WSL, no licence.