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XAMPP

Free#23 of 36 in Web Server Software

XAMPP: A free, open-source bundle for building and testing PHP applications locally. Ranked #23 of 36 in Web Server Software by our editors (6.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for local bundled PHP development stacks.

6.7/10Editor score

Visit Apache Friends

XAMPP6.7 Visit Apache Friends

At a glance

Editor score
6.7 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Local bundled PHP development stacks
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Founded
2002
Facts checked
21 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Free, open-source distribution for local development
- Bundles Apache, MariaDB, PHP, Perl, and phpMyAdmin
- Supports Windows, Linux, and macOS
Where it doesn't
- Designed for development rather than production hosting
- HTTP/2, HTTP/3, and WebSocket support are not supplied
- Several bundled tools are Windows-only

Our verdict on XAMPP

XAMPP is a free, open-source Apache distribution for developers building and testing PHP applications locally. It combines the Apache web server with MariaDB, PHP, Perl, phpMyAdmin, and related development tools in installers for Windows, Linux, and macOS. The package is aimed at developers who want a local environment with several core components available together, rather than teams looking for a production hosting platform or a narrowly focused web server package.

There is no paid tier structure to compare: XAMPP is distributed as free software. Its breadth is the main reason to consider it. Alongside the core Apache, MariaDB, PHP, Perl, and phpMyAdmin components, the bundle includes Webalizer, plus the XAMPP Control Panel, Mercury Mail Transport System, FileZilla FTP Server, and Tomcat with a mod_proxy_ajp connector on Windows. This makes the Windows package particularly broad, while Linux and macOS users receive a smaller set of platform-specific tools. The included components can reduce the need to assemble a local PHP stack individually.

The trade-off is scope. Apache Friends documents XAMPP as a development environment, so it fits local application work better than production hosting. The published positioning also does not include HTTP/2, HTTP/3, or WebSocket support, which matters for projects that require those web-server capabilities. Apache Friends provides downloads, FAQs, release information, and community forums, giving users several routes for documentation and community assistance. Choose XAMPP when a free, bundled PHP environment is the priority; choose another option when production deployment or modern protocol support is central.

Your product? Our editors can test XAMPP in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

XAMPP pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on apachefriends.org

XAMPP fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
HTTP/2 support	Not verified
HTTP/3 support	Not verified
WebSocket support	Not verified
Supported platforms	Windows, Linux, macOS
Plugin or module system	Yes
Windows support	Yes
Commercial support	Not verified
Deployment	Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms	Windows, Linux, macOS
Support	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	apachefriends.org
Facts checked	21 Sep 2026

Alternatives to XAMPP

See all XAMPP alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

XAMPP is listed in our Web Server Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update