EnvKit vs ServBay
ServBay is a capable local stack for macOS and Windows. Its free tier stops at 5 websites and 10 private-CA certificates, and running more than one database instance or its mail server needs Pro at $59 a year. EnvKit has no tiers: every site, certificate and database version is included.
| Feature | EnvKit | ServBay |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Windows, macOS | macOS, Windows |
| Price / license | Free | Free tier + $59/yr Pro |
| Websites on the free version | Unlimited | 5 |
| Local certificates on the free version | Every site | 10 domains |
| Multiple PHP versions | Yes | Yes |
| Several MySQL / MariaDB servers at once | Yes | Paid tier |
| PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB | Yes | Yes |
| AI control via MCP | Yes | Yes |
ServBay details checked on against ServBay pricing. Prices and plans change; the linked pages are the authority.
What you gain over ServBay
No site cap, no certificate cap
Add as many .test sites as you have projects. Each one gets a trusted certificate from the local CA automatically.
Database versions side by side, free
Run MariaDB 11 for one project and MySQL 8 for another at the same time, each on its own port, with backups and restores routed to the right server.
Mailpit and a debug stream included
Mailpit catches outgoing mail, and the Debug window streams dump() calls, queries with N+1 and slow-query flags, mail and jobs from Laravel and Symfony sites.
One-click moves from Laragon and Herd
The import wizards bring over your Laragon projects and databases, or your Herd parked sites with their PHP pins.
Where ServBay still fits better
iServBay Pro has a real mail server
Its Pro tier includes SMTP and POP3 with SSL/TLS. EnvKit ships Mailpit, which catches outgoing mail for testing but does not deliver it.
iServBay runs on Windows Server
EnvKit runs on Windows 10/11 and Apple Silicon Macs only.
iEnvKit is in public beta
It updates often and is signed but not yet notarized on macOS, so the first launch asks you to allow it in System Settings, or you install from the terminal.
Moving from ServBay
Add your project folders from the Sites page and EnvKit detects the framework, assigns a .test host and issues a certificate. Dump your databases from ServBay and import them into the bundled MySQL or PostgreSQL.
irm https://envkit.net/install.ps1 | iexFree, no account, no card. Windows 10/11 and macOS (Apple Silicon).
Questions people ask
- Is there a limit on sites in EnvKit?
- No. There is no site limit and no paid tier. Every feature is in the free download.
- Does EnvKit have an MCP server like ServBay?
- Yes. Claude Code, Cursor and other assistants can start and repair services, read logs and manage sites through it.
- Can I run ServBay and EnvKit together?
- Not on the same ports. Stop ServBay services first, or change the EnvKit ports in Settings.