MailHog alternative
A MailHog alternative that does not need Docker
MailHog works, but it requires running a binary in a terminal or spinning up a Docker container every time you want to test emails. LocalMail.dev is a native desktop app. Open it once, leave it running, and every email your app sends appears instantly with rendered previews and inspection tools.
One-time purchase. 14-day refund policy. No Docker required.
LocalMail.dev vs MailHog
MailHog is a capable open-source tool, but it was built for a command-line workflow. LocalMail.dev is built for developers who want a GUI without the setup overhead.
| LocalMail.dev | MailHog | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $24 once | Free (open-source) |
| Requires Docker | No | Optional but common |
| Requires terminal | No | Yes |
| Native GUI | ||
| Responsive previews | ||
| Dark mode testing | ||
| Starred emails | ||
| Native OS notifications | ||
| Persistent inbox | ||
| Raw MIME viewer | Basic | |
| Attachment handling | ||
| Actively maintained | Archived (2022) |
MailHog was archived on GitHub in 2022 and is no longer actively maintained.
Why developers move on from MailHog
The MailHog repository was archived in 2022. It still works, but there are no new features, no bug fixes, and no security patches. LocalMail.dev is actively developed and updated.
MailHog's web interface shows raw email HTML. There is no responsive viewport switching, no dark mode toggle, and no side-by-side comparison. LocalMail.dev renders emails exactly as a real client would.
MailHog has no way to save or organise captured emails. LocalMail.dev lets you star important test cases and group emails into named collections for comparison across sessions.
MailHog has no desktop notification support. LocalMail.dev fires a native OS notification on macOS, Windows, and Linux the moment a new email arrives.
To use MailHog, you either run a binary in a terminal tab or remember to start a Docker container. LocalMail.dev launches at login and runs in the background, just like any other desktop app.
MailHog loses all captured emails when the process restarts. LocalMail.dev stores emails in a local database so you can search, compare, and revisit them across sessions.
Questions about switching from MailHog
Is LocalMail.dev a drop-in replacement for MailHog?
Yes. LocalMail.dev listens on localhost:1025 by default, the same port MailHog uses. Update your SMTP configuration to point at localhost:1025 and LocalMail.dev will catch everything MailHog used to.
Does LocalMail.dev work with Laravel Sail or Docker?
Yes. LocalMail.dev runs on the host machine and Docker containers can reach it via the host gateway. Set MAIL_HOST to host.docker.internal (macOS/Windows) or the Docker bridge IP on Linux. No changes to your Docker setup are required.
Why is LocalMail.dev paid when MailHog is free?
MailHog is free but archived and no longer maintained. LocalMail.dev is a commercially supported product that receives ongoing updates, has a dedicated support team, and offers features MailHog never had. The $24 one-time cost reflects the value of a maintained, polished tool.
What frameworks does LocalMail.dev support?
LocalMail.dev works with any framework that supports standard SMTP: Laravel, Django, Rails, Node.js, Symfony, Spring Boot, FastAPI, Go, ASP.NET, and more. If it can send SMTP mail, LocalMail.dev will catch it.
No Docker. No terminal. Just works.
$24 once. Actively maintained. Better previews than MailHog.
macOS, Windows, and Linux. 14-day refund policy.
Get LocalMail.dev for $24Also comparing