Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Local by Flywheel

Provides a simple, local development environment with a friendly GUI.

Local by Flywheel

Local by Flywheel Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Local by Flywheel is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • Local by Flywheel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17

Features & Specs

  1. Easy setup

    Local by Flywheel offers a simple and user-friendly interface, making it easy to download, set up, and configure WordPress sites locally.

  2. Pre-configured environments

    It provides pre-configured server environments which can save time on configurations and ensure consistency across projects.

  3. One-click WordPress installation

    Local by Flywheel allows for quick WordPress installations with a single click, streamlining the development process.

  4. SSL support

    It supports SSL certificates out of the box, making it easier to work with HTTPS locally.

  5. Live Link

    The Live Link feature enables developers to share their local sites with others via a temporary, publicly accessible URL.

  6. Database management

    It includes built-in database management tools like Adminer and phpMyAdmin, simplifying the handling of databases.

  7. Integration with WP-CLI

    Local by Flywheel supports WP-CLI, allowing developers to run WordPress commands directly from the terminal.

  8. Automatic backups

    It enables automatic site backups, providing a safety net in case something goes wrong during development.

  9. Developer tools

    Includes various developer tools and add-ons such as Xdebug to aid with debugging and performance optimization.

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Videos

Local By Flywheel WordPress Setup + Cool Features Review

Local By Flywheel for WordPress Development - Review & Tutorial

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Local by Flywheel and what they use it for.
  • WordPress, Ghost, Hugo? The great CMS war
    LocalWP Ridiculously easy local WP environment (free, cross-platform). - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Does it Make Sense to Run WordPress in Docker?
    Local development tools like XAMPP, MAMP, or Local. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • How to Build ACF Blocks in Your WordPress Theme (No Plugin Needed)
    A local development environment - I like Local by Flywheel for spinning up WordPress sites quickly. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Building WordPress Sites Locally with Elementor on Linux: A Complete Guide
    First, head over to localwp.com and download the Linux version. You'll get a .deb file that installs cleanly on Linux. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • How to Create a Custom WordPress Plugin From Scratch: A Developer's Guide
    Local WordPress Installation: Use tools like Local by Flywheel, XAMPP, or MAMP. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Struggling to Manage Multiple PHP Versions and Frameworks? Here's the Perfect Solution!
    Visit https://localwp.com to download Local. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • WP Engine is not WordPress
    Itโ€™s probably worth mentioning that WP Engine author the _Local_ app https://localwp.com/ which is far and away the best tool to build WP sites errr on your local machine. Then just upload to WP Engine and your are live. This valuable innovation is fueling the growth of WP Engine and makes this a bit of a honey trap. Personally Iโ€™m not convinced that keeping a 100% audit trail for reconstruction of old states is... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • WordPress next, and beyond: breaking the technical enclosure
    Yeah -- though I think VVV has been thoroughly supplanted by Local: https://localwp.com Which almost every serious WP developer I know uses. (I personally use my own simplified Vagrant package management scripts with some ssh_config integration hooks because I work on more than WP and value standardisation across VM environments more than I value the features Local adds). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Introducing WP Setup
    Developing WordPress plugins and themes often requires a reliable development environment. Current we have good solutions as wp-env from Autommatic, Local WP from WP Engine, Docker, XAMPP (for old ones) and so on. All this can be good suits for a development environment, specially Local WP that is probably the easiest one to get up and running and wp-env that leverages Docker as a development environment in a very... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Self hosting wordpress for testing
    Personally if youโ€™re on windows I like using localwp (localwp.com) from wheelfly / wpengine it lets you quickly spin up multiple sites, duplicate them, test mail, one click admin, etc. Its helped me prototype multiple websites over the last year faster than I ever did manually setting up Wordpress instances on vms or docker. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • WordPress in Linux
    Adding to the above recommendations, you could also try Local by Flywheel: https://localwp.com/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Is there any training program on basic PHP for WordPress?
    IMHO Don't worry about the Flywheel environment that's referred to in in the course, just use Local WP to provision a local hosting environment https://localwp.com/ โ€“ or MAMP or whatever you prefer โ€“ and go from there. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Is there a "For Dummies" explanation of using PHPStorm from Win10 and Xdebug remotely?
    I tried to set things up locally with Local, but man was that slow and the available components (like PHP) are not the same version as on the production server so I worry about compatibility. Source: about 2 years ago
  • WordPress Playground: A WordPress that runs in the browser
    This looks interesting, but a better option in my opinion is to use the Local app (on Mac) to install a lightweight VM running WordPress in seconds. Then you have all the tools, for example phpmyadmin and MySQL database management, all running locally on your Mac, and with Internet access https://localwp.com. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Should I use WordPress or code from scratch?
    You can build the site locally using Local from localwp.com. It let's you share a link to it, for clients, etc. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Web designer bailed and I need to update Wordpress version and migrate to GA4. Don't want to break the site/theme.
    Creating a local copy of your site for testing is highly recommended. Then you can quickly test changes/updates to ensure nothing breaks before updating the live site. A tool like Local makes setting up a local site for testing fairly simple (see documentation for instructions on creating a copy of your live site). Source: over 2 years ago
  • Noob here!! ๐Ÿ‘‹
    You should install LocalWP on your own computer first maybe, and experiment with the All In One Migration plugin or Duplicator and get to grips with restoring the site in a local development environment first, before dealing with live servers. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Is WordPress + WooCommerce the right thing for me?
    I believe that YouTube video above is using localwp.com to develop the site locally, so really you should just install that on your computer and have a go. See how you get on. Source: over 2 years ago
  • IDN support?
    Download "Local" from localwp.com so you can get learn WP on your own PC. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What is a general timeline to become proficient in Wordpress?
    Install local WP (https://localwp.com/) , stick with default (2023) theme or Frost if you go FSE road and learn basic. If you can devote 60-80 hours a month, three to four months will be enough to understand concepts, framework, structure and elements of WP. Then you can switch to 'school theme' and play with it. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Can I start creating my website on Wordpress before I have the domain?
    Here's the link for OP, just to remove the need to go searching. Source: over 2 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of Local by Flywheel

Local by Flywheel, also known as LocalWP, has garnered significant attention and appreciation within the WordPress development community. Functioning as a robust offline environment for WordPress development, it offers a compelling alternative to traditional solutions like XAMPP and MAMP. Its public perception is largely positive, with a few nuanced critiques that reflect its standing in the industry.

A recurring theme in user discussions is the ease of use that Local by Flywheel offers. The one-click installation of WordPress sites is often highlighted as a major advantage, significantly reducing the setup time and thus accelerating the development process. This feature is particularly beneficial for developers who manage multiple WordPress projects, as it allows them to quickly spin up sites, clone them, and even test functionalities like mail and database management with ease. This positions LocalWP as a user-friendly solution for both seasoned developers and beginners venturing into WordPress development.

Moreover, Local by Flywheel's flexibility in terms of server configurations is well-received. The ability to switch between Apache and NGINX server environments allows developers to conduct comprehensive testing, ensuring compatibility across different server setups. This aspect, combined with the integration of relevant tools such as phpMyAdmin and MySQL database management, enhances its appeal as a versatile development environment.

However, some users have raised concerns regarding the performance of LocalWP, particularly in Windows environments where it can reportedly feel slow, especially when compared to other virtualization solutions. Additionally, the discrepancy between PHP versions available in LocalWP and those in production servers can present compatibility issues, as noted by some developers. These issues emphasize the importance of understanding and managing potential environment-specific obstacles when using LocalWP for more advanced projects.

Despite these minor criticisms, Local by Flywheel is often recommended by developers as the go-to tool for WordPress development. It is particularly attractive for those who prioritize ease of setup and operation over more customizable but complex solutions like Docker. The community discussions reflect a strong preference for LocalWP, especially among those working exclusively within the WordPress ecosystem. This is underscored by its frequent recommendation in various forums as the preferred local development tool, often cited as being more user-friendly and accessible than alternatives like VVV.

In summary, Local by Flywheel stands out for its simplicity and efficiency in setting up local WordPress development environments. While some performance and compatibility issues have been noted, the consensus remains largely positive, making it a favored choice among WordPress developers for rapid local site development and testing.

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