Devilbox review
A flexible open-source stack for classic PHP and service-based local development.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Devilbox is an open-source, Dockerized local development environment for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted setups. It is aimed at PHP and web developers who need configurable LAMP, LEMP, or MEAN-oriented services rather than a minimal single-runtime workspace. Docker Compose manages the stack, while selectable PHP versions, Apache or Nginx, databases, Redis, MongoDB, RabbitMQ, Solr, and MailHog support projects with varied service requirements. The project was founded in 2016 and is MIT-licensed.
Its strongest fit is classic PHP development that benefits from repeatable service orchestration and convenient local routing. Automatic virtual hosts, DNS records, and development SSL certificates reduce the need to configure those pieces separately for each project. The built-in intranet provides visibility into service status, configuration, databases, and captured email. Email catch-all support and local email viewing are particularly useful for checking application messages without relying on external delivery services. Devilbox also integrates with PhpStorm, Visual Studio Code, Atom, and Sublime Text.
The trade-off is scope. A developer working on a small project with one PHP version and few dependencies may find the wider stack unnecessary, while teams that want a hosted environment or a production deployment platform should choose a different category of tool. Devilbox is free, cross-platform, and open source, but its Docker and Docker Compose foundation still requires comfort with containerized local development. Choose it for configurable PHP service stacks, multiple runtime versions, and local infrastructure visibility; avoid it when the priority is the smallest possible setup or a managed development service.
Devilbox pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Selectable PHP versions with Apache or Nginx support
- Automatic virtual hosts, DNS records, and development SSL certificates
- Built-in intranet plus databases, email testing, and extra services
- Where it doesn't
- Requires Docker and Docker Compose for local orchestration
- The broad service configuration may be more than simple projects need
- Its focus is local development rather than hosted production environments
Devilbox fact sheet, pricing and score →
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