How to Share Your Localhost Website in Real-Time

Have you ever needed to show your work-in-progress website to a client who’s miles away? Or maybe you’ve struggled with testing webhooks on your local development environment? As a developer, sharing your localhost website with others can be a common requirement, and fortunately, there are several reliable solutions available.

In this guide, we’ll explore different methods to share your localhost website securely and efficiently. Whether you’re conducting client reviews, testing webhooks, or debugging with a remote team, you’ll find the perfect solution for your needs.

Why Share Localhost?

Before diving into the methods, let’s understand why you might need to share your localhost:

1. Client Reviews: Show real-time progress to clients without deploying to a staging server
2. Remote Collaboration: Work with team members across different locations
3. Webhook Testing: Test payment integrations, notifications, and third-party services
4. Cross-device Testing: Check how your website works on different devices and networks

Methods to Share Localhost in Real-Time

1. Using Ngrok

Ngrok is probably the most popular tool for sharing localhost, and for good reason. It’s easy to use and provides both free and paid options with various features.

Installation and Setup

# For Windows (using chocolatey)
choco install ngrok

# For Mac (using homebrew)
brew install ngrok

# For Linux
sudo snap install ngrok

After installation, you’ll need to sign up for a free account at ngrok.com and authenticate your installation:

ngrok config add-authtoken YOUR_AUTH_TOKEN

Basic Usage

To share a website running on port 5000:

ngrok http 5000

This command creates both HTTP and HTTPS URLs that anyone can use to access your local website. For example:

• http://92832de0.ngrok.io
• https://92832de0.ngrok.io

Advanced Features

• Custom subdomains (paid plan)
• Password protection
• IP restrictions
• Request inspection
• API endpoints

2. Using Localtunnel

https://mernstackdev.com/how-to-use-ngrok-to-share-your-localhost-site/Localtunnel is a free, open-source alternative to Ngrok. It’s simpler but still powerful enough for most use cases.

Installation

npm install -g localtunnel

Basic Usage

lt --port 5000

Or using npx:

npx localtunnel --port 5000

Benefits of Localtunnel

• No authentication required
• Completely free
• Custom subdomain support
• Simple command-line interface

3. Using PageKite

PageKite is designed for persistent localhost sharing, making it ideal for long-term projects.

Installation

# For Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt-get install pagekite

# For other systems, download from pagekite.net

Basic Usage

python pagekite.py 5000 yourname.pagekite.me

Key Features

• Persistent connections
• Multiple domain support
• Built-in HTTP/HTTPS support
• Flexible configuration options

4. Cloudflare Tunnels

Cloudflare Tunnels (formerly Argo Tunnel) offers enterprise-grade security features with a generous free tier.

Installation

# Download cloudflared
curl -L https://github.com/cloudflare/cloudflared/releases/latest/download/cloudflared-linux-amd64 -o cloudflared

# Make it executable
chmod +x cloudflared

Basic Usage

cloudflared tunnel --url http://localhost:5000

Advanced Features

• DDoS protection
• SSL/TLS encryption
• Access controls
• Analytics and logging

Step-by-Step Guide for Real-Time Sharing

Let’s walk through a complete example using Ngrok:

1. Start your local development server:

# For a React app
npm start

# For a Python Flask app
python app.py

2. Note the port number (usually 3000 for React, 5000 for Flask)
3. Open a new terminal and start Ngrok:

ngrok http YOUR_PORT_NUMBER

4. Copy the generated HTTPS URL and share it with your team or clients
5. Monitor requests through Ngrok’s web interface at http://localhost:4040

Best Practices for Sharing Localhost

Security First

1. Always use HTTPS URLs when possible
2. Enable authentication for sensitive projects
3. Use IP whitelisting when sharing with specific clients
4. Regularly rotate URLs for security
5. Monitor access logs for suspicious activity

Performance Optimization

1. Minimize unnecessary file transfers
2. Use compression when possible
3. Consider connection limits
4. Monitor bandwidth usage
5. Close unused tunnels

Access Control

1. Set up password protection
2. Use temporary URLs for one-time sharing
3. Implement IP restrictions
4. Monitor active connections
5. Revoke access when no longer needed

Common Use Cases and Solutions

Frontend Development

When developing a React, Angular, or Vue.js application:

# Start your development server
npm start

# Share using Ngrok
ngrok http 3000

Webhook Testing

Testing payment integrations:

# Start your backend server
python app.py

# Share using Ngrok with HTTPS
ngrok http 5000 --region=us

Client Demos

For showing work in progress:

# Use Localtunnel with a custom subdomain
lt --port 3000 --subdomain clientdemo

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which tool should I choose?

Choose based on your needs:

• Ngrok: Best for general use and webhook testing
• Localtunnel: Great for simple, free sharing
• PageKite: Ideal for long-term sharing
• Cloudflare Tunnels: Best for enterprise security needs

Q: Is it safe to share localhost?

Yes, when following these precautions:

• Use HTTPS connections
• Enable authentication
• Limit access to trusted users
• Monitor connections
• Close tunnels when not in use

Q: Can I share multiple services simultaneously?

Yes, using different methods:

1. Multiple tunnel instances
2. Port forwarding
3. Reverse proxy configuration

Q: What are the limitations of free tiers?

Common limitations include:

• Connection time limits
• Bandwidth restrictions
• Limited concurrent connections
• Basic features only
• Random URLs (no custom domains)

Conclusion

Sharing your localhost website in real-time has become easier than ever with these modern tools. Whether you’re a solo developer showing progress to clients or part of a team working on a complex project, there’s a solution that fits your needs.

Remember to prioritize security when sharing your localhost, and always choose the tool that best matches your specific requirements. Start with the free tiers to experiment, and upgrade to paid plans when you need additional features or higher limits.

The ability to share localhost efficiently can significantly improve your development workflow, enhance client communication, and make testing more effective. Take time to explore these tools and integrate them into your development process.

Have you tried any of these tools? Each has its strengths, and the best choice depends on your specific needs. Start with Ngrok for its ease of use, or try Localtunnel if you prefer a free, open-source solution. As your needs grow, consider Cloudflare Tunnels for enterprise-grade security or PageKite for persistent connections.

Remember: The goal is not just to share your localhost, but to do it securely and efficiently while maintaining a smooth development workflow.