DDEV vs ServBay

DDEV is a free, open-source local development environment for people who build websites. It launches Docker-based projects for PHP and Node.js on macOS, Windows, and Linux. A project can be started, customized, shared, and extended, with compose workflows, IDE integration, and resource controls. The supported stack includes PHP, Node.js, MySQL, PostgreSQL, nginx, Apache, Redis, and Mailpit. Presets cover Laravel, WordPress, Drupal, TYPO3, Backdrop, Magento, Craft CMS, and other projects. Its router manages custom domain names and HTTPS automatically. Add-ons, lifecycle hooks, and user-supplied Dockerfiles provide extension points. Provider recipes and integrations include Acquia, Git, Lagoon, local files, Pantheon, Upsun, and rsync. DDEV concentrates on local development and does not deploy code. Public hosting is described as experimental, without backing from a security team. Support is available through documentation, GitHub issues, Discord, and contact options.

ServBay manages local web development environments on macOS and Windows, bringing language runtimes, databases and web servers into one desktop tool. It includes versions of PHP, Python, Node.js, Go, Java,.NET, Ruby and Rust, plus Apache, NGINX and Caddy. Developers can assign runtime versions to projects and switch installed service versions through its management interface. Local services include DNS, mail testing, MinIO object storage and RabbitMQ; built-in PKI supports local HTTPS, and ServBay can manage certificates through ACME. Its MCP server works with Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and other MCP clients, which can manage services and packages, create sites with local DNS and SSL, operate databases, read logs and run diagnostics. The AI Gateway provides one local endpoint for cloud and local model providers, with usage tracking, virtual keys and automatic fallback. ServBay says provider API keys stay encrypted on the user’s machine and are not uploaded. The free plan costs nothing and is limited to five websites and five DNS records. Pro starts at $9.90 a month; a 7-day trial is listed.