Server by ZawebaA local web server without the fiddling.

Name: Server by Zaweba
Availability: InStock

Apache, PHP and MariaDB on your PC, with a control panel that makes sense. Apache, MariaDB and PHP 5.6 to 8.3 side by side, with a friendly control panel, a new-site wizard, local HTTPS and one-click databases.

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What it does

Server by Zaweba runs Apache, MariaDB, Adminer and the Mailpit mail catcher on your PC. PHP 5.6, 7.4, 8.2 and 8.3 run side by side, and each site picks its own version, switched live from the sites list.

A control panel shows a status light, ports and recent log lines for every service. The new-site wizard makes name.test with a folder, a database and HTTPS if you want them. If a port is already taken, Server tells you which program has it and offers a free one.

Who it's for

PHP developers who want a local server without the set-up
Anyone keeping an old PHP 5.6 site going for testing
Students learning PHP and MySQL-style databases
Base by Zaweba users who want their database as a website

Good to know

About 557 MB installed, and it runs entirely from its one folder
Adding name.test to the hosts file asks for administrator rights once; name.localhost addresses work without
Everything listens on this PC only (127.0.0.1), so nothing is reachable from your network
Services run while the app is open or in the notification area; they are not Windows services
PHP 5.6 and 7.4 are end of life and included for older projects; Firefox needs the local certificate authority imported by hand

Private by design

Works offline, with no account and no adverts.
Checks zaweba.com once a day for a newer version, sending only the app's name.
Problem reports and feedback are sent only if you click Send.

Key features

Everything you need, nothing you don't.

A clear control panel

Status lights, ports, start, stop and restart, and the last lines of each log, all on one page.

PHP version per site

PHP 5.6, 7.4, 8.2 and 8.3 at the same time. Switch a site's version and Apache restarts gracefully.

One-click databases

A new database and user with a random password in one click, SQL import and export, and Adminer logged in for you.

Local HTTPS

Its own certificate authority makes a certificate for each site. Trust it once and https works on your PC.

Port conflict detection

Names the program holding a port and suggests a free one. The other program is never touched.

Catches every email

PHP's mail() goes to Mailpit, so you can see what your site sends without it reaching anyone.

Server

From nothing to a working site

Type a name, pick a folder and a PHP version, and Server makes name.test with an optional starter page, database and HTTPS. In testing, a fresh start reached a working PHP page in about 10 seconds and five steps. Every site also answers on name.localhost, with no hosts file needed.

New-site wizard
name.test and name.localhost addresses
php.ini settings and extensions as tick boxes

Server

Websites from Base by Zaweba

Export a database from Base by Zaweba as a PHP website and Server imports it: it makes the database and user, loads the tables and data, fills in the connection settings and serves the site in place, so exporting again updates it. It can even create the first login for you.

Open in Server, straight from Base
Database, user and settings made for you
Export again to update the site

Server by Zaweba: Websites from Base by Zaweba

Specifications

The details

Works on	Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit)
Includes	Apache 2.4, MariaDB 11.8, PHP 5.6, 7.4, 8.2 and 8.3, Adminer and Mailpit
Addresses	name.test and name.localhost, with optional HTTPS
Databases	New database and user, SQL import and export, Adminer
Imports	Websites exported from Base by Zaweba
Version	Full release
Download	Coming soon: a ZIP to unzip and run, no installer
Licence	Free for everyone, with every feature included. No warranty

Report a problem or request a feature

Questions

Server FAQ

Can I run it alongside another local server?

Yes. If another program already has port 80 or 3306, Server names the program and switches to free ports such as 8080 and 3307. The other program is left running, untouched.

Does it need administrator rights?

Only to add name.test entries to the hosts file, after a plain-words explanation and one Windows prompt. Every site also works on name.localhost without it.

Can other computers see my sites?

No. Everything listens on 127.0.0.1, so your sites and databases can only be reached from your own PC.

Works well with