DDEV

Overview

DDEV is a free, open-source local development environment for web developers working with Docker-based PHP and Node.js projects. It is especially well suited to people building websites with a supported CMS or framework who want reusable project setups across macOS, Windows, or Linux. Its strength is breadth and customization for local work; deployment is outside its scope.

Key features

DDEV brings PHP, Node.js, MySQL, PostgreSQL, nginx, Apache, Redis, and Mailpit into its project stack. Presets for Laravel, WordPress, Drupal, TYPO3, Backdrop, Magento, Craft CMS, and other projects give teams a practical starting point instead of requiring every environment to be assembled from scratch. Projects can be customized, shared, and extended, which makes the presets useful without forcing a fixed configuration.

The included router manages custom domains and HTTPS automatically, reducing routine setup work for local sites. Add-ons, lifecycle hook scripts, and user-provided Dockerfiles allow more control when a project needs something beyond its preset. Compose workflows, IDE integration, and resource controls round out the environment; local Kubernetes is not supported.

Provider recipes and integrations cover Acquia, Git, Lagoon, local files, Pantheon, Upsun, and rsync. That connects local work with several hosting and project workflows, but it should not be mistaken for deployment: DDEV does not deploy code. Its documentation describes public hosting with DDEV as experimental and warns that no security team backs that approach, so it is not a sound choice for serving public sites.

Pricing

DDEV costs nothing and is free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license. There is no paid tier or trial to weigh against the free plan. This suits individual developers and teams that want a configurable local environment without a software subscription; the trade-off is that the tool itself does not provide deployment capabilities.

Platforms

DDEV is supported and tested on macOS, Windows, and Linux. That cross-platform coverage makes it a reasonable fit for teams with mixed desktop operating systems. It does not offer local Kubernetes, so projects that require that workflow will need another environment.

Who it's for

DDEV is aimed at people who make websites, particularly developers and teams working with PHP or Node.js and common CMS or framework projects. Its presets, shared project setups, and extension points suit teams that want repeatable local environments while retaining room for project-specific configuration. It is not the right fit for someone seeking a deployment platform or a supported public-hosting solution.

The project is governed through the DDEV Foundation and funded by recurring sponsorships. It originated at Drud around 2016; Drud shut down in 2021 after losing venture funding. For ongoing help, DDEV points users to documentation, GitHub issues, Discord, and contact options.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad web stack: PHP, Node.js, databases, web servers, Redis, and Mailpit cover many local website needs in one environment.
• Useful starting points: Presets span several major CMS and framework projects, while Dockerfiles, add-ons, and hooks leave room to adapt them.
• Cross-platform support: macOS, Windows, and Linux support can help standardize local work across a mixed team.

Cons

• No deployment: DDEV handles local development only, so teams still need a separate way to deploy code.
• Not for public hosting: Public use is described as experimental and lacks security-team backing.
• No local Kubernetes: Developers needing Kubernetes locally will have to choose another tool or workflow.

Alternatives

For a different open-source local environment, Lando is free on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Choose it if you want to evaluate another free tool in this category rather than DDEV's specific stack and presets.

devenv is a free, MIT-licensed option for Linux, macOS, and Windows, but requires Nix. It may suit developers already using Nix; DDEV is the more natural fit when Docker-based web projects and its CMS presets are the priority.

ActiveState Platform has a free organization plan limited to public projects and a paid enterprise plan with custom pricing. It is worth considering when those terms suit your project; DDEV is a straightforward free choice for local website environments.

Flox offers a free Personal plan with its CLI, catalog access, unlimited public FloxHub environments, and three private environments. Consider it if those environment-sharing limits and features match your needs; DDEV focuses specifically on local web development.

vfox is another free, Apache 2.0-licensed option for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Devilbox is a free alternative supporting Linux, macOS, Windows, self-hosted, and web platforms.

DevPod is free, open source, and described as client-only; consider it if that model is what you need.

FlyEnv has a free plan with caps including three local sites and three custom projects per runtime. It may fit a smaller set of local projects; DDEV's free plan is suited to its Docker-based web-development workflow.

Browse Development Environment Management Tools, Development Environment Managers, and Container Development Environments for more options.

Verdict

Choose DDEV if you build websites and want a free, extensible Docker-based local environment with presets for widely used PHP and Node.js projects across macOS, Windows, or Linux. Its main advantage is combining broad web-stack support with reusable project setups and room to customize. Look elsewhere if you need deployment, public hosting, or local Kubernetes.