XAMPP is a free, open-source software package that bundles Apache, MySQL (or MariaDB), PHP, and Perl together, letting developers set up a local web server environment on their own computer for building and testing websites, WordPress included.
What XAMPP's Name Stands For
- X — cross-platform (works on Windows, macOS, and Linux)
- A — Apache (the web server)
- M — MySQL/MariaDB (the database)
- P — PHP (the scripting language)
- P — Perl (an additional scripting language)
Why Developers Use XAMPP
- Provides a genuinely quick way to set up a full local development environment
- Free and available across every major operating system
- Lets a WordPress site be built and thoroughly tested entirely offline
- Avoids any risk of testing directly on a live, already-published site
XAMPP vs. Local (by Flywheel)
XAMPP is a general-purpose local server package, useful well beyond just WordPress; Local (by Flywheel) is specifically built for WordPress development, generally offering a somewhat more streamlined, beginner-friendly setup experience for that one particular use case.
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