devenv vs Local

devenv uses Nix to define development environments for teams and CI. A project configuration can specify packages, languages, services, tasks, secrets, variables, files, and shell scripts. The project lists 58 supported languages and 42 preconfigured services, including PostgreSQL, Redis, MySQL, RabbitMQ, and Elasticsearch. Processes can be supervised with dependencies and restarts, while tasks can run in parallel and integrate with shells or commits. SecretSpec can read declared secrets from sources such as Keychain, 1Password, LastPass, dotenv, and environment variables. devenv can build OCI containers and run integration tests with its processes active; documentation also describes GitHub Actions use for checks, builds, and tests. It requires Nix and works on Linux, macOS, and WSL. As of devenv 2.4, the project no longer builds, tests, or releases it for Intel Macs. Projects must be explicitly trusted before automatic activation. The software is free and MIT licensed, with GitHub and Discord linked for help and community. Cached shell startup is listed as under 100 ms after the first build; devenv Cloud is in private beta.

Local is a free desktop application for developing WordPress sites on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It installs WordPress with one click and includes SSL for each site. Development features include root SSH access, WP-CLI, and hot-swappable PHP environments. Local provides native PHP, MySQL, NGINX, and Apache services, with switching between NGINX and Apache. Sites can be imported or exported with their files, databases, and configuration files. Local Connect pushes and pulls sites to Flywheel and WP Engine; Connect is free, while hosting costs depend on the selected hosting plan. Cloud Backups connects Dropbox or Google Drive for project files, directories, and databases, but backups must be started through its interface. Live Links creates secure persistent URLs for client and coworker review. Image Optimizer compresses local image files offline. An HTTP/HTTPS tunnel exposes a site to other devices and supports testing Stripe WebHooks, PayPal IPN, and REST APIs. Downloads include macOS Intel, macOS Apple Silicon, Windows, Debian-based Linux, and RPM-based Linux. Support resources include forums, documentation, and release notes. WP Engine says it collects service telemetry.