Localhost solution to run multiple Laravel with PostgreSQL and Wordpress on my Macbook M1

[torn reef]

Hello! I am looking for a unique tool to run several versions of Laravel/PostgreSQL and Wordpress on my Macbook M1.

MAMP Pro seems like a nice solution and I saw on a forum that PostgreSQL could be somehow easily connected.

I heard of Valet that seem to be recently heading towards Herd.

As for Wordpress, I used Local by Flywheel in the past that was quite easy to use.

Any idea of a single tool to manage them both? Thanks!

[brazen moth]

docker

[twin ocean]

I heard of Valet that seem to be recently heading towards Herd.
Nope. Herd uses Valet under the hood, so Valet disappearing would also kill Herd.

[torn reef]

I thought of Docker but pretty often I see comments in forums about it being very slow. Isn't that right?

[twin ocean]

Yes, Docker is rather sluggish on MacOS. But honestly, there's many options you can take; Sail (Docker), Valet or Herd. Any other things would mean you'd need to build a lot more yourself, like if you're purely using Docker. Also depends on how you want to deploy etc

[brazen moth]

Yes slow, not on Linux though!

[twin ocean]

Let's install a half-working Linux distro on an Apple Sillicon machine then! lol

[brazen moth]

In my experience not many people know Docker is almost as fast as native on Linux.
That's why I mentioned it and that's why I switched to Linux.
I'll never go back Mac

[twin ocean]

Okay, but what's the point? As LazyDali mentioned:

on my Macbook M1
So, how's that gonna help? Go out and buy another laptop while he has quite a new laptop?

[brazen moth]

Nice community you have here

[torn reef]

I got @brazen moth point but as @twin ocean says, I’m looking for a solution that would work with both Laravel/PostgreSQL and WordPress on my M1.

[wise plover]

Laravel Herd. You can control php versions for every PHP project you have. Herd is not limited to Laravel. You can use it with Wordpress, etc.

[twin ocean]

Herd and Valet would probably work nicely for you; both run natively so it's fast. Both of these can also serve other apps out of the box, including Wordpress. Sail would only be applicable to Laravel, not Wordpress.
Sure, there's also Docker, that's a whole other learning curve, not to mention you'd then also likely want to deploy your apps in the same way, otherwise the usage of Docker is kinda nullified imho. Not to mention, you'd need to write containers for your Laravel apps and different ones for your Wordpress ones.

[torn reef]

Thanks!

[narrow shore]

I'm using Herd for Laravel and Wordpress. Working nicely.

[torn reef]

Nice. thanks!

1. Is the free version sufficient or did you feel the need to go for a paid plan?
2. How does Herd works (quickly), it is installed for every instances (app and websites) or a single installation lets you manage every projects?

[twin ocean]

It's pretty much the same as Valet, but then just bundled in an app

[narrow shore]

1. I have the pro, but I guess you can start with the free. Just install your database manually.

2. Its a single installation, like Xamp/Wamp in the old days.

Herd free and https://dbngin.com should provide a nice start point. Later you can get the Pro to eliminate DBgin and get more services. Really handy

[torn reef]

I never tried or read on Valet.

I am about to start managing multiple projects on the same machine.

I used to manage one Laravel instance at a time on my machine and one WordPress with Local by Flywheel.

I guess Valet would be my solution as Herd is using it under the hood. I might only have to deal with more setup (as Herd must make it easier I guess) but it's quite ok if I can have full control without paying for full features 😉