localtunnel vs Docker OpenVPN
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted remote access & vpn options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
localtunnel
Expose your localhost to the world for testing
VS
Docker OpenVPN
OpenVPN server in a Docker container
| Feature | localtunnel | Docker OpenVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Remote Access & VPN | Remote Access & VPN |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | JavaScript | Shell |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 22,440 | ★ 9,088 |
| First released | 2015 | 2014 |
| Replaces | ngrok | NordVPN |
Why pick each one
Choose localtunnel if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 22.4k GitHub stars
Choose Docker OpenVPN if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 9.1k GitHub stars
- Written in Shell
Frequently asked questions
Is localtunnel or Docker OpenVPN better?
localtunnel is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Docker OpenVPN if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are localtunnel and Docker OpenVPN free and open-source?
Yes. localtunnel is licensed under MIT and Docker OpenVPN under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run localtunnel and Docker OpenVPN with Docker?
localtunnel: yes. Docker OpenVPN: yes.