Tunnel for developers and CTOs
A localtunnel alternative for when the tunnel has to stay up
Automatic reconnects, names you keep, and an inspector for every request.
Free tier on every product. No card.
localtunnel is a quick way to share a port, and many developers start there. When you need a localtunnel alternative, it is usually because the address has to stay the same, the connection has to survive a network change, or you need to see what came through. SyncYak Tunnel covers all three with one command: syncyak http 3000.
It is a managed service with a free tier, so there is no server of your own to run, and a paid tier when you want reserved names.
How it works
Replace localtunnel in three steps
Install the syncyak CLI
Download it for Windows, macOS or Linux from your Tunnel console, then save your token once with syncyak config add-authtoken.
Forward a port
Run syncyak http 3000. The CLI prints a public HTTPS address that forwards to http://localhost:3000.
Share it or keep it
Send the address to anyone, paste it into a webhook setting, or reserve a name so it stays the same tomorrow.
Why replace localtunnel
Random subdomains change, and a dropped connection means a new address. SyncYak’s CLI reconnects with backoff and keeps a random name for 10 minutes after a disconnect, and a reserved name for as long as you hold it.
- Reconnects from 1 to 30 seconds with jitter
- Reserved names on paid plans
- Basic auth and host header rewriting built in
See every request that reaches your port
The request inspector and the status screen show latency, bandwidth and the latest requests, so you can tell whether a problem is in the tunnel or in your app.
Use cases
Where it fits
Long-running demos
A preview that has to stay reachable for a day of client review.
Integration work
Callbacks from OAuth providers and webhooks that need a stable URL.
Shared staging on a laptop
A team member’s machine serving a branch to QA for an afternoon.
What you get with Tunnel
Tunnel is the tunnel product of SyncYak, one account that also covers email parsing, a mailbox API, CRM sync and error tracking. The CLI runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, keeps reconnecting with backoff when your network drops, and keeps a reserved name for as long as you hold it.
Free gives you 1 tunnel with a random name and 2 GB of traffic a month. Hobby is $8 a month for 3 tunnels, 3 reserved names and 25 GB; traffic past your plan can continue at $0.05 per GB up to a cap you set.
- syncyak http 3000 for a random HTTPS address, or a reserved name such as myapp.syncyak.live
- HTTPS to your local app, another machine on your network, or a local HTTPS server
- --host-header=rewrite for Vite, webpack dev server and Django, --basic-auth to keep visitors out
- A request inspector that keeps traffic for 24 hours on Free and longer on paid plans
Frequently asked questions
Something else? Write to contact@syncyak.com and a person answers.
Is SyncYak Tunnel open source like localtunnel?
No. It is a hosted service with a CLI. There is a free tier, and nothing to host yourself.
Do I need Node.js to run it?
No. The syncyak CLI is a single binary for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is SyncYak affiliated with localtunnel?
No. localtunnel is the work of its authors; we describe it only to compare.
Is there a free plan for Tunnel?
Yes. Tunnel has a free tier with no card and no end date: 1 tunnel, random subdomain, 2 gb a month. Paid tiers start at $8 a month, and you can move up or down at any time.
Can I use the other SyncYak products on the same account?
Yes. Email parsing, the mailbox API, CRM sync, error tracking and tunnels share one login, one team, one API key system and one bill. Each product has its own tier, so you only pay more for the one that grows.
Related
Related solutions
Start with Tunnel free
1 tunnel, Random subdomain, 2 GB a month, free every month. Set up in minutes, and add the other SyncYak products on the same account when you need them.
Free tier on every product. No card.
localtunnel is a trademark of its owner. SyncYak is not affiliated with or endorsed by it.