A simple Cloudflare Tunnel alternative for localhost
When the requirement is simply give this application on localhost a public HTTPS URL, tunnel.to provides a focused reverse tunnel without inbound port forwarding.
The client makes an outbound connection, so there is no inbound port to open, firewall rule to change, or server deployment to manage.
tunnelto 3000When you just need a tunnel
A broader networking platform makes sense when you need its broader capabilities. Sometimes the requirement is simply to receive a webhook, demo a local app, expose an API, or give a remote tool temporary access to a service on your machine.
- Receive a webhook on localhost
- Demo or share a development server
- Expose a local API temporarily
- Make a local MCP server reachable
Cloudflare Tunnel vs tunnel.to
| Capability | tunnel.to | Cloudflare Tunnel |
|---|---|---|
| Public HTTPS tunnel | Yes | Yes |
| Account-free temporary tunnel | Yes | Yes, with Quick Tunnels |
| No inbound ports | Yes | Yes |
| Custom domains | Yes, with a reserved name | Yes, with a configured tunnel |
| Open-source tunnel client | Yes | Yes |
Cloudflare Tunnel belongs to a much broader networking and security platform. tunnel.to takes a narrower approach: create a public HTTPS path to a local application quickly, then add persistence, a custom domain, or access controls when needed.
Verified September 23, 2026 against Cloudflare Quick Tunnels documentation and cloudflared source .
Start disposable. Make it permanent later.
Try it
localhost → anonymous public URL
Keep it
localhost → persistent tunnel.to hostname
Own it
localhost → custom domain + access controls
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is tunnel.to a replacement for every Cloudflare feature?
No. Cloudflare provides a broad networking, security, CDN, and edge platform. tunnel.to is focused on creating public tunnels to local and private applications.
Can I expose localhost without moving my DNS to Cloudflare?
Yes. An anonymous tunnel uses a tunnel.to-provided hostname. A custom domain can be attached to a reserved tunnel name.
Do I need to open firewall ports?
No. The tunnel client establishes an outbound connection.
Can I use tunnel.to for webhooks?
Yes. A public tunnel can forward webhook callbacks to a handler running on localhost.
Can I use tunnel.to for an MCP server?
Yes, when the MCP server uses an HTTP transport that works through a standard HTTPS reverse tunnel.
The shortest path from localhost to public HTTPS.
Start anonymously. Add a stable hostname or custom domain when you need one.
