Tunnel comparison
Localtonet vs Portwarp
Portwarp offers the stronger long-running and multi-tunnel package with unlimited bandwidth on every plan, game presets, extra ports, analytics, security, and fast support. Compare it with Localtonet's current per-tunnel model.
Quick answer
Portwarp is the stronger option for an always-on service, a game server, or more than one tunnel. Free includes TCP, UDP, HTTP, unlimited bandwidth, extra ports, firewall rules, metrics, and fast support. PRO costs $2.99 per month for up to 32 active tunnels and adds every PRO region, custom domains, advanced insights, GeoIP controls, alerts, and priority support.
Localtonet uses a different paid model. Its current Free plan lists one HTTP, TCP, or UDP tunnel, 1 GB per month, and a 30-minute timeout. Its paid offer is advertised at about $2 per running tunnel per month, with unlimited bandwidth and no tunnel timeout.
Localtonet vs Portwarp at a glance
| Area | Localtonet | Portwarp |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 1 HTTP, TCP, or UDP tunnel, 1 GB per month, and a 30-minute timeout. | 1 active TCP, UDP, or HTTP tunnel, 2 extra ports, unlimited bandwidth, 3 firewall rules, up to 7 days of metrics, and fast standard support. |
| Paid model | About $2 per month for each running tunnel. The total grows with concurrently running tunnels. | $2.99 per month for up to 32 active tunnels, plus 10 extra ports per tunnel. |
| Protocols | HTTP and HTTPS, TCP, UDP, mixed UDP and TCP, TLS, file server, and proxy server modes. | TCP, UDP, and HTTP on every plan, with built-in game presets, community presets, and custom multi-port setups. |
| Bandwidth | 1 GB per month on Free and unlimited bandwidth on paid tunnels. | Unlimited bandwidth on Free, PRO, and Teams. |
| Game hosting | General TCP, UDP, and mixed tunnels can be configured for game servers. | 16 built-in presets, community presets, extra ports, A2S_INFO, Minecraft query support, region selection, and portless addresses for supported games. |
| Operations | Request inspection, authentication, WAF, IP restrictions, teams, and API features are promoted on the official site. | Live traffic and health, connection insights, firewall and GeoIP controls, alerts, scoped API keys, failover support, and multi-device management. |
| Clients | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Docker, and a zero-install SSH workflow. | Windows desktop, Linux Snap, macOS for Intel and Apple Silicon, Android, and a cross-platform CLI for x86_64 and ARM. |
| Support | The current site advertises 24/7 customer support without a plan-specific response commitment. | Fast support is available to Free and PRO users. PRO requests receive priority handling. |
Why Portwarp is stronger for ongoing use
Unlimited bandwidth starts on Free
Portwarp does not use a transfer allowance on its public plans. Free, PRO, and Teams include unlimited bandwidth. Localtonet currently limits Free to 1 GB per month and stops a Free tunnel after 30 minutes. Those limits make Portwarp the more practical Free option for longer tests, persistent services, and public game traffic.
The paid cost does not multiply per tunnel
Localtonet's pay-as-you-go model is about $2 for each tunnel that runs for a full month. Two continuously running tunnels are therefore about $4 per month, and five are about $10 per month. Portwarp PRO remains $2.99 per month for up to 32 active tunnels, with 10 additional ports available on each tunnel.
This difference applies quickly to real environments. A game server, voice service, status endpoint, webhook handler, and administration service can all need public connectivity at the same time. Portwarp keeps them under one predictable subscription.
Game workflows are part of the product
Localtonet can carry general TCP and UDP game traffic. Portwarp goes further with 16 built-in presets, importable community presets, query protocol support, multi-port configurations, public game addresses, and tooling designed to keep multiple servers organized. It is suitable for both a first home server and a larger collection of game services.
Security, observability, and automation stay together
Portwarp includes firewall rules on Free. PRO adds unlimited firewall rules, GeoIP controls, connection insights, up to 90 days of metrics, alerts through webhooks, Discord, and Telegram, custom domains, multiple devices, and automatic reconnect. A public REST API and scoped API keys support automation, while Teams adds roles, shared workspaces, team keys, an activity log, and centralized billing.
Where the Localtonet model may fit
A single tunnel that runs only for a few hours or days may cost less under a running-time balance. Localtonet also packages file server and proxy server modes directly, and its zero-install SSH workflow may match a specific device constraint. These are workload-specific differences. They do not offset Portwarp's bandwidth, multi-tunnel, game preset, support, and operational advantages for a service that remains online.
Custom domains and protocols
Both paid services support custom domains. Localtonet's current site lists HTTP and HTTPS, TCP, TLS, UDP, mixed UDP and TCP, file server, and proxy server tunnel types. Portwarp covers TCP, UDP, and HTTP, then adds game and community presets, extra ports, security rules, metrics, and public addresses within the same tunnel workflow.
For a plain one-off file share or packaged proxy endpoint, Localtonet exposes a dedicated mode. For games, local applications, APIs, webhooks, and self-hosted services that need to operate together, Portwarp provides the more cohesive package.
Verdict
Portwarp is the recommended option for long sessions, game hosting, concurrent tunnels, unlimited traffic, and predictable monthly cost. Its Free plan is already more useful for an always-on workload, and PRO provides much more tunnel capacity for a small fixed price.
Localtonet is worth considering only when one intermittent tunnel, its packaged file or proxy mode, or its zero-install SSH workflow is the defining requirement. As soon as multiple tunnels need to stay online, Portwarp's pricing and integrated features become substantially stronger.
Frequently asked questions
Is Portwarp a Localtonet alternative?
Yes. Portwarp exposes HTTP, TCP, and UDP services behind NAT or CGNAT and adds game presets, extra ports, analytics, security controls, alerts, clients, and a public API.
Which free plan is better for long sessions?
Portwarp Free is the better fit because it includes unlimited bandwidth and does not list a plan-level 30-minute timeout. Localtonet Free currently includes 1 GB per month and a 30-minute tunnel timeout.
Which is cheaper for several tunnels?
Portwarp PRO costs $2.99 per month for up to 32 active tunnels. Localtonet advertises about $2 per month for each tunnel that runs continuously, so its total increases with concurrent tunnels.
Which is better for game servers?
Portwarp provides the more complete game workflow through built-in and community presets, extra ports, native TCP and UDP, query support, region controls, analytics, firewalls, and direct support.
Do both support Android?
Yes. Both list Android support. Portwarp also provides Windows, Linux, macOS, and CLI options for desktop and server management.