⧉
Independent servers
Each server has its own Apache, PHP, MariaDB and config files. Run two, three or ten at once, each on its own port.
macOS 14+ · Apple Silicon and Intel · Free and Pro
Local PHP servers.
Local PHP servers.
Several at once.
Faro is the modern way to run local PHP servers on your Mac: Apache, PHP 5.6 to 8.5, MariaDB, phpMyAdmin, HTTPS and a built-in terminal. Each server has its own version, database and port, so you can test one project on PHP 5.6 and another on 8.3 at the same time.
- PHP 5.6 → 8.5, mod_php or PHP-FPM
- MariaDB 10.5 → 11.8 per server
- phpMyAdmin matched to each PHP
- Light and dark mode, 10 languages
Built to live with projects from different eras
PHP 5.6 and PHP 8.5.
At the same time.
Each server has its own Apache, PHP, MariaDB and port. Start the ones you need and Faro takes care of the rest.
Dashboard
All your projects at a glance.
Live status, PHP version, database and port of every server. Start, stop, open in the browser or jump into phpMyAdmin with one click.
Server panel
Every server, your way.
PHP version, mod_php or FPM, ports, HTTPS, .test domain, php.ini limits, extensions, database, Git, logs and terminal. All in tabs, without touching a config file.
Everything a local server needs. No fighting with configuration.
Built for people who maintain projects from different eras and don’t want to fight configuration files.
🐘
PHP 5.6 to 8.5
Install the versions you need with one click. Choose Apache mod_php (classic) or PHP-FPM (like production) per server.
🗄
MariaDB with versions
10.5, 10.6, 10.11, 11.4 or 11.8. Each server with its own instance and port. Create, import and export databases from the app.
▦
phpMyAdmin that fits
Faro serves phpMyAdmin 4.9 to projects on PHP 5.6–7.1 and 5.2 to the rest, already connected to the right database.
🔒
HTTPS in one click
A self-signed certificate per server with localhost and your .test domain; mark it as trusted and test without warnings in Safari or Chrome.
▶_
Built-in terminal
A real terminal per server with its PHP version and Composer on the PATH. Quick buttons for artisan, composer and git.
⑂
Git and GitHub
Status, commits, push and pull without leaving the app; clone a repository when creating a server; open the project on GitHub.
✉
Captured mail
Mailpit built in: the emails your project sends land in a local inbox instead of going out to the Internet.
🐞
Xdebug, OPcache, php.ini
Toggle extensions and adjust limits from a clear panel. Faro regenerates php.ini, httpd.conf and my.cnf for you.
.test
Local domains
myshop.test instead of localhost:8080. Faro adds the /etc/hosts entry when you ask.
📋
Live logs
Apache, PHP, FPM and MariaDB errors with a filter, always one click away. No hunting for paths.
◐
Beautiful, in your language
Native macOS design, light and dark mode, menu bar icon and ten languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Japanese and Chinese.
How it works
1
Install Faro
Drag the app to Applications. If you don’t have Homebrew, Faro installs it from its terminal; then it downloads Apache, PHP, MariaDB and phpMyAdmin.
2
Create a server
Name, folder, PHP version, database, ports, SSL. Faro suggests free ports and, if you like, clones a repository or downloads WordPress.
3
Press Start
Faro generates the configuration, starts MariaDB, PHP-FPM and Apache and opens the site. Create another server with another version and start it too.
# Cada servidor vive en su carpeta, con su configuración ~/Library/Application Support/Faro/servers/<id>/ ├── httpd.conf # Apache en :8081, mod_php o proxy a php-fpm ├── php/php.ini # límites, errores, extensiones ├── php-fpm.conf ├── my.cnf # MariaDB en :3307, datadir propio ├── ssl/cert.pem # localhost, 127.0.0.1, api.test ├── mariadb/ # datos └── logs/ # apache, php, fpm, mariadb
Pricing
Start free with one server. When you need more, Faro Pro is a one-time payment: no subscription, updates for the major version included.
Faro Free
Free
To try a project.
- 1 server (Apache mod_php)
- PHP 5.6 → 8.5, one active version
- MariaDB and phpMyAdmin
- Logs and php.ini settings
- Several servers at once
- PHP-FPM, HTTPS, .test domains
- Terminal, Git, Mailpit, Xdebug
- Import/export databases and configuration
Faro Pro
USD 15.99 one-time payment
To work with several projects and versions.
- Unlimited servers, each with its PHP and port
- Apache mod_php or PHP-FPM per server
- HTTPS with certificate and .test domains
- Built-in terminal with the right PHP
- Git and GitHub, Mailpit, Xdebug
- Import/export databases and configuration
- Local network access, auto-start
- Key for 1 user, all their Macs, offline activation
Frequently asked questions
Why does Faro use Homebrew instead of bundling PHP and MariaDB?
So you always get up-to-date, community-maintained builds with the standard extensions instead of frozen binaries. Faro takes care of installing everything: you just pick versions.
Can I use an existing project folder?
Yes. When creating a server you pick any folder as the web root; Faro never modifies or deletes it.
How does my code connect to the database?
host 127.0.0.1, the server’s port (for example 3307), user root and the password you set (root by default). With host=localhost PHP uses the server’s socket directly.
Does it work with Laravel, Symfony, WordPress?
Yes. When creating a server you can download WordPress or run composer create-project for Laravel or Symfony in the built-in terminal. AllowOverride All is on so .htaccess files work.
Does it need administrator rights?
Only for .test domains (editing /etc/hosts) or to trust the HTTPS certificate. Servers run as your user on high ports.
What is the difference between Free and Pro?
Free is for trying a project: one server with Apache mod_php, MariaDB and phpMyAdmin. Pro (USD 15.99, one-time) unlocks unlimited parallel servers, PHP-FPM, HTTPS, .test domains, terminal, Git, Mailpit, Xdebug and import/export. The key activates offline.
What happens when I quit Faro?
It stops every server cleanly. If you’d rather keep them running, turn that off in Settings; Faro stays in the menu bar.
Light the lighthouse
macOS 14 Sonoma or later, Apple Silicon and Intel. The download includes Free; Pro activates with your key.
First launch on a Mac without notarization: right-click → Open.