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Free & open source · Windows, macOS and Linux

A free Laragon alternative for work

Laragon's ease, without the license popup.

Flock is a free alternative to Laragon that you can use at work. It installs PHP, databases and trusted HTTPS on Windows in a few clicks, gives every project its own PHP version, and runs on macOS and Linux too.

Download Flock Flock vs Laragon

Windows, macOS and Linux · No account, no license key

Why people switch

Where Laragon gets in the way.

Paid for commercial use

Laragon asks for a license as soon as you use it for work. Flock is open source and free for every kind of project.

One PHP for every site

Laragon switches PHP for everything at once. Flock lets each project pin its own version, side by side.

Windows only

Laragon has no Mac or Linux version. Flock ships a native app for all three, with the same CLI, so mixed teams share one setup.

What changes

Moving from Laragon to Flock.

The 12 things you gain. Everything else works the way you're used to.

  • Price Free for non-commercial use, from $49/yr for work Free, open source, no account
  • Platforms Windows only macOS, Windows and Linux, native apps
  • PHP versions 8.1 to 8.5 bundled, one active at a time 8.1 to 8.5 side by side
  • PHP per project Not built in Pinned in .flockrc or isolated per site
  • Databases MySQL and PostgreSQL PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB
  • Cache, search, storage Redis and Memcached, no search or storage Valkey, Meilisearch, Typesense, RustFS
  • Dumps and logs Not included Per-request timeline and Laravel log
  • Xdebug Add the DLL, then toggle in the menu Turns on when you set a breakpoint
  • Node.js Several versions, one active at a time Per project from .nvmrc
  • FrankenPHP and Octane Apache or nginx Per site, with Octane worker mode
  • Public preview link Through ngrok, your own authtoken Cloudflare tunnel, one command
  • AI agentic development Not included Built-in MCP server

See all 18 rows, and where Laragon still shines

Switching

Four steps, about five minutes.

  1. 01

    Stop Laragon

    Click Stop All and quit Laragon so ports 80 and 443 are free.

  2. 02

    Install Flock

    Run the Windows installer. It sets up PHP, .test DNS and a trusted certificate authority.

  3. 03

    Park your www folder

    Park the folder Laragon served, usually C:\laragon\www, and each project gets its .test domain back.

    flock park C:\laragon\www
  4. 04

    Pin PHP per project

    Give each project the PHP it needs, and commit the .flockrc file for your team.

    flock pin php 8.4

FAQ

Before you leave Laragon.

Yes. Park that folder and Flock serves every project in it. You can uninstall Laragon later, as long as you keep the www folder.

No. Flock runs the databases and leaves the GUI to you: HeidiSQL, TablePlus, DBeaver and DataGrip all connect to them as usual.

No, Flock installs like a normal Windows app and starts with Windows. In return, it runs quietly in the tray with no console windows.

Join the flock.

Install Flock, park your code folder and open https://your-app.test.

Download Flock Star on GitHub