Looking for the best way to share your localhost? Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Pinggy and Ngrok’s Personal plan to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
When it comes to exposing localhost services to the internet, both Pinggy and Ngrok are popular choices. Here’s a practical comparison based on the features outlined above, with real-world examples and references to Pinggy’s documentation.
Pricing
Pinggy’s Pro plan is significantly more affordable at $3/month compared to Ngrok’s Personal plan at $10/month. For example, if you run a development server daily for client demos, Pinggy’s lower cost can save you over $80 per year. See Pinggy pricing.
Protocol Support
Pinggy supports HTTP(S), TCP, UDP, and TLS tunnels. For instance, if you’re testing a multiplayer game server that uses UDP, Pinggy enables you to expose it with a simple command:
./pinggy -p 443 -R0:localhost:8000 udp@a.pinggy.io
Learn more about UDP tunnels
Ngrok covers HTTP(S) and TCP, but lacks UDP and TLS support (in personal plan). If your workflow involves protocols beyond HTTP, Pinggy is more versatile. For secure connections, Pinggy’s TLS tunnels let you expose HTTPS endpoints directly:
ssh -p 443 -R0:localhost:8000 TOKEN+tls@a.pinggy.io
See TLS tunnel docs
Domains and Subdomains
Both tools offer persistent subdomains, but Pinggy allows custom domains (including root/apex domains) and wildcard domains. For example, you can expose your app on example.com or *.dev.example.com with Pinggy.
Custom domain setup
Ngrok’s custom domain support is limited to subdomains, which can be restrictive for certain use cases.
Bandwidth
Pinggy offers unlimited bandwidth, while Ngrok caps usage at 5 GB/month. If you’re transferring large files or streaming video from your local server, Pinggy won’t throttle or disconnect you. Bandwidth details
Access Control and Security
Pinggy provides password, bearer token, and IP whitelisting for access control. For example, to restrict access to your tunnel by IP:
ssh -p 443 -R0:localhost:8000 -t a.pinggy.io w:21.14.5.30/32
IP whitelisting docs
Ngrok supports OIDC, SAML, and webhook authentication. Depending on your security requirements, you may prefer one approach over the other. Pinggy’s IP whitelisting is especially useful for restricting access during development.
Collaboration and Management
Pinggy includes team collaboration features and remote tunnel management, which are missing from Ngrok’s Personal plan. For example, you can invite teammates to manage tunnels or access shared endpoints:
Team collaboration docs
You can also manage tunnels on remote devices, useful for IoT or remote deployments:
Remote device management
Pinggy offers a GUI app for Windows, Mac, and Linux, in addition to CLI and API access. If you prefer graphical interfaces, you can download the Pinggy app and manage tunnels visually:
Pinggy App
Ngrok provides CLI and API, but no GUI app.
Support
Pinggy provides support via email and Discord, while Ngrok offers email support. For quick troubleshooting or community help, Pinggy’s Discord is a valuable resource:
Get help
Final Thoughts
Both Pinggy and Ngrok are solid tunneling solutions. If you need UDP/TLS support, unlimited bandwidth, advanced domain options, or team features, Pinggy is worth considering. For example, exposing a UDP game server, securing endpoints with TLS, or collaborating with teammates is straightforward with Pinggy. Ngrok remains reliable, especially if you require enterprise authentication methods. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific development needs and workflow.