Ngrok
Secure introspectable tunnels to localhost
OrbStack
Fast, light, simple Docker & Linux on macOS
Updated February 2026
| Ngrok | OrbStack | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4★ | 5.0★ |
| Reviews | 12 | 6 |
| Pros | 9 | 12 |
| FactScore™ | 49.2 | 42.3 |
FactScore™ Comparison
FactScore™ weighs both quality (rating) and popularity (reviews) for a fairer ranking than stars alone.
Pros & Cons
Only in Ngrok — Pros
Development tool Local environment sharing Easy to use Webhook debugging Developer-friendly Excellent documentation Reliable Secure tunnelsBoth tools — Pros
Fast performanceOnly in OrbStack — Pros
Docker alternative Lightweight MacOS compatibility Performance improvement over Docker Desktop VM support Compatibility with existing workflows Container management IPv6 support Network exposure Simple interface StabilityOnly in Ngrok — Cons
Confusing pricing policy Subscription cancellation issues Banning policy Expensive custom domainBoth tools — Cons
—Only in OrbStack — Cons
Compatibility testing required New platformDetails
| Ngrok | OrbStack | |
|---|---|---|
| Categories | Command line tools, Security software | Virtual office platforms, Command line tools, Cloud Computing Platforms |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Became Popular | April 13, 2015 | September 22, 2023 |
| Website | ngrok.com | orbstack.dev |
Who Should Pick Which?
Choose Ngrok if...
- Development tool
- Local environment sharing
- Easy to use
Choose OrbStack if...
- Docker alternative
- Lightweight
- MacOS compatibility
With a FactScore™ of 49.2 vs 42.3, Ngrok leads in community reception. Ngrok uniquely offers Development tool and Local environment sharing, while OrbStack stands out for Docker alternative and Lightweight.
What Users Say
Ngrok
My whole team uses ngrok on a regular basis. I find it indispensable to share demos running from an individual's workstation, debugging webhooks locally, and locally debugging parts of distributed ...
There's not enough that I can say about it... And that speaks volumes. Compared to what you had back in the day (early 2000's), this is Sci-Fi... =]
Highly reliable, and this product makes development easy.
OrbStack
Tinybird Local needs a Docker runtime. We use Orbstack, and it's great.
It just makes working with containers like a breeze. This shows the value of ye old UNIX philosophy: do one thing good. And plus, OrbStack just keeps getting better!
OrbStack is a promising alternative, especially for macOS users who need lightweight container and VM management. However, its adoption depends on your specific needs, compatibility with existing w...
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Ngrok or OrbStack?
Based on FactScore™, Ngrok leads with a score of 49.2 vs 42.3. Ngrok has a higher rating of 4.4★ compared to 5.0★.
What are the pros of Ngrok compared to OrbStack?
Ngrok uniquely offers: Development tool, Local environment sharing, Easy to use, Webhook debugging, Developer-friendly.
What are the pros of OrbStack compared to Ngrok?
OrbStack uniquely offers: Docker alternative, Lightweight, MacOS compatibility, Performance improvement over Docker Desktop, VM support.
Is Ngrok better rated than OrbStack?
Ngrok is rated 4.4★ from 12 reviews. OrbStack is rated 5.0★ from 6 reviews.
What is the FactScore™ of Ngrok and OrbStack?
FactScore™ weighs rating and review volume together. Ngrok scores 49.2 and OrbStack scores 42.3.
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