Build and Test WordPress Sites on Your Desktop: Explore Studio by WordPress and More Free Tools

Local Development Environments

WordPress has introduced Studio by WordPress, a new tool for local development. This tool allows publishers to easily develop and update websites on their desktop or laptop. It is also a great resource for learning how to use WordPress. In addition to Studio, there are other platforms available that make it simple to develop websites with WordPress directly on your desktop.

Local Environments are like web hosting spaces on your desktop that allow you to create a WordPress site. They are a great way to experiment with new themes and plugins without affecting a live website or accidentally showing something on the web that Google might index. Local Environments are also helpful for testing if an updated plugin conflicts with other plugins on a website, allowing you to test updates offline before making changes to a live site.

Studio is one of the popular local development environments available for WordPress and other advanced platforms. While Studio offers more flexibility and options for WordPress on the desktop, it may be more challenging to use for those who are not developers.

Desktop WordPress Development Environments

Dedicated WordPress environments are designed specifically for working with WordPress sites. They make it easy for those who only need to focus on WordPress and nothing more complicated.

Studio By WordPress.com

Studio is an open source project that allows developers and publishers to set up a WordPress site on their desktop in order to design, test or learn how to use WordPress.

Say farewell to the hassle of setting up tools manually, dealing with slow site setup, and navigating clunky local development workflows. Instead, welcome Studio by WordPress.com with open arms. It is our latest offering - a free, open source local WordPress development environment.

Once you have your local site up and running, you can easily access WP Admin, the Site Editor, global styles, and patterns with just one click. No need to worry about remembering or entering a username and password.

The main aim of Studio is to provide a quick and straightforward method for building WordPress sites on your computer. Currently, it is compatible with Mac, and a version for Windows will be available soon.

Download the Mac version here.

Other Popular WordPress Local Development Environments

DevKinsta

DevKinsta is a development environment created by Kinsta, a managed web hosting company. It is designed for efficiently creating and testing WordPress sites on your desktop. Many developers highly recommend DevKinsta for its user-friendly features.

DevKinsta is a great tool for publishers, SEOs, and developers who simply want to create WordPress sites. It is a solid option for those serious about WordPress development or looking to explore the latest Gutenberg Blocks environment.

You can download DevKinsta for free by clicking here.

Local WP

Local WP is a popular desktop development environment specifically made for WordPress users by WP Engine, a managed WordPress hosting provider.

Useful Features of Local WP

Local WP has multiple features that make it useful beyond simply developing and testing WordPress websites.

Image Optimizer

It features a free image optimizer add-on that optimizes images on your desktop which should be popular for those who are unable to optimize images on their own.

Upload Backups

Another handy feature is the ability to upload backups to Dropbox and Google Drive.

Link Checker

The link checker tool included in the system scans your website's local version to find any broken links. It's a convenient way to check your site offline without affecting your live site's performance.

Importing and Exporting Sites

You can easily import WordPress website files with this feature. It allows you to work on your current WordPress site on your desktop, try out new plugins or themes, and when you're ready, you can upload the files back to your website.

Enhanced Local Development Environments

Some local development environments are not designed exclusively for WordPress but are still beneficial for creating and testing WordPress websites on your computer. These tools are considered more advanced and are favored by developers who value the flexibility and features offered by these platforms.

Simplifying Content Management with DDEV and Docker

DDEV with Docker is a helpful tool that simplifies the process of using Docker software containerization. It allows users to quickly install a content management system and start working without the need to navigate through the complexities of Docker's learning curve.

Download DDEV With Docker here.

Laragon

Laragon is a free local development environment that was suggested to me by a skilled coder. They mentioned that it is user-friendly and easy to navigate. I can attest to that as I have found it to be true in my own experiences. It's important to note that Laragon is not exclusively for WordPress.

Laragon positions itself as a simple substitute for XXAMPP and WAMP.

Download DDEV here.

Mamp

Mamp is a favorite local development platform among experienced coders. It works on both Mac and Windows operating systems.

David McCan, a WordPress trainer known for his expertise in advanced WordPress topics on WebTNG, recently shared his experience using MAMP.

WAMP And XAMPP

Setting up WAMP and XAMPP is also easy and they offer a wide range of features. Currently, I have 51 local sites that are development versions of my production sites. These sites are used for testing plugins and occasionally for new beta versions of WordPress core. Cloning sites is simple as well. I have not experienced any system slowdown or lag while using these platforms.

WAMP is a development environment specifically designed for Windows users, favored by developers and creators of WordPress themes and plugins.

XAMPP, on the other hand, is a versatile PHP development platform that can be utilized on Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems.

Download Wamp here.

Download XAMPP here.

Exploring Local Development Platforms

There are so many local development platforms out there, and Studio by WordPress.com is one of the latest ones. I'm excited to give it a try soon. However, it's always a good idea to explore different options to find the one that suits your needs the best.

Read more about Studio by WordPress:

Meet Studio by WordPress.com—a fast, free way to develop locally with WordPress

Featured Image by Shutterstock/Wpadington

Editor's P/S:

Local development environments offer a convenient and safe way to create and test WordPress websites offline. By using a local environment, you can experiment with new themes and plugins without affecting your live site. This can be especially useful for testing updates or potential conflicts before making changes to your live site.

Various local development environments are available, each with its own features and benefits. Studio by WordPress is a popular option, especially for beginners, as it is easy to use and offers a range of features. Other options include DevKinsta, Local WP, DDEV with Docker, Laragon, Mamp, WAMP, and XAMPP. These platforms are geared towards different user needs, from beginners to advanced developers. By exploring the available options, you can find the local development environment that best suits your workflow and preferences.