7
What do you guys use to expose localhost to the internet — and why that tool over others?
r/SaaS
6/3/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ngrok | https://ngrok.com | Localhost tunneling | Free tier, consistent URLs, webhook testing, payment webhook testing |
| Cloudflare Tunnel | https://developers.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-one/connections/connect-apps/install-and-setup/tunnel-guide/ | Localhost tunneling | Fast, free, custom domains, no rate limits |
| localtunnel | https://localtunnel.github.io/www/ | Localhost tunneling | Quick demos, less stable |
| GitHub Pages | https://pages.github.com/ | Static site hosting | Free, easy for static sites |
| serveo.net | https://serveo.net | Localhost tunneling | One command setup, no installation/login |
| pagedrop.io | https://pagedrop.io | Static page sharing | Simple, quick sharing |
| Netlify | https://www.netlify.com | Static site hosting | CI/CD integration, subdomains, custom domains |
| Vercel | https://vercel.com | Static site hosting | Next.js integration, CI/CD |
| Cloudflare Pages | https://pages.cloudflare.com | Static site hosting | CI/CD integration, custom domains |
| hookdeck.com | https://hookdeck.com | Webhook testing | Records webhooks, retriggering, free tier |
| pinggy.io | https://pinggy.io | Localhost tunneling | Cheap, easy setup, reliable |
| LocalCan | https://www.localcan.com | Localhost tunneling | No terminal commands required |
| Fly.io | https://fly.io | Application hosting | Auto-stop machines, low cost |
| serveo.net | https://serveo.net | Localhost tunneling | One command setup, no installation/login |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Need to share local projects for testing/webhooks/client demos
- Frustration with rate limits on free tiers
- Difficulty with complex setup/configuration
- Need for consistent, reliable URLs
- Challenges with webhook testing and debugging
Problems to Solve:
- Exposing localhost for internet access
- Testing webhooks and API callbacks
- Sharing work with clients/team
- Collaborating on local projects
- Quick, easy setup for temporary access
Potential Solutions:
- Using tunneling services like ngrok, Cloudflare Tunnel
- Deploying to hosting platforms like Netlify, Vercel
- Using static site hosting for simple projects
- Implementing CI/CD workflows for automatic deployment
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Offering free tiers with useful features
- Providing easy setup and configuration
- Supporting custom domains and subdomains
- Implementing CI/CD integration
- Offering reliable, consistent service
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Being recommended by other developers
- Being used in tutorials and documentation
- Being integrated with popular platforms
- Offering free tiers to attract users
Monetization & Product:
- Offering paid tiers with additional features
- Providing reliable service to justify pricing
- Supporting multiple use cases (webhooks, testing, collaboration)
User Engagement:
- Providing easy-to-use interfaces
- Offering reliable, consistent service
- Supporting multiple platforms and use cases
- Building integrations with popular tools