DevKinsta
DevKinsta is a free local development suite for creating, testing, and deploying WordPress sites.
What DevKinsta is
DevKinsta is a free local development suite for creating, testing, and deploying WordPress sites. It can create a single site or multisite installation with one click and includes a stack with Nginx and MariaDB. Database tools use Adminer for editing tables and running SQL queries; other features include a WP_DEBUG toggle, automatic updates, and site cloning. The local MailHog tool captures test emails without sending them externally. The product page lists PHP 7.2 through 8.3 and lets users switch versions, and DevKinsta supports local HTTPS testing. Sites run in isolated Docker containers. Kinsta users can download a live site to work on locally, then push it to a Standard or Premium staging environment, but not directly to a live site. DevKinsta supports WordPress only and is intended for website, plugin, and theme developers. It is available for macOS, Windows, and Ubuntu. Product support is provided through Kinsta's community forum; traditional live chat support is not provided for DevKinsta.
Good
- Creates single or multisite WordPress installations
- Includes Adminer database management
- MailHog captures local test email
- Supports PHP 7.2 through 8.3
- Supports local HTTPS testing
Watch out
- Supports WordPress only
- Cannot push directly to a live site
- No traditional live chat product support
Who it suits
DevKinsta suits website, plugin, and theme developers working with WordPress. Kinsta users may find its local-to-staging workflow relevant when developing from an existing site.
Verdict
DevKinsta provides local WordPress setup and development tools, plus a Kinsta staging workflow. Its WordPress-only scope and inability to deploy directly to a live site are important limits to consider.
Plans and prices
From DevKinsta's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| DevKinsta Free | Free | Local WordPress development; macOS, Windows, and Ubuntu · Free forever |
The facts
Each one read from DevKinsta's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience
- Kinsta describes DevKinsta as intended for website, plugin, and theme developers.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Database
- DevKinsta uses Adminer to manage databases, including editing tables and running SQL queries.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Deployment limit
- DevKinsta can push to a Standard or Premium staging environment, but cannot push directly to a live site.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Developer tools
- It includes a database manager, SMTP email testing, a WP_DEBUG toggle, automatic updates, and site cloning.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Email testing
- Its local MailHog email tool captures messages for testing, and those emails are not sent externally.checked 11 Oct 2026
- HTTPS
- DevKinsta supports working with HTTPS locally for testing WordPress sites.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integration
- Users can download a live Kinsta site to work on locally and push it to a Kinsta staging environment.checked 11 Oct 2026
- PHP versions
- The product page lists PHP 7.2 through 8.3 support and says users can switch versions.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DevKinsta is a local development suite for creating, testing, and deploying WordPress sites.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The local WordPress sites are isolated through Docker containerization, which Kinsta describes as helping secure the environment.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Site setup
- It creates single or multisite WordPress sites with one click and includes a stack such as Nginx and MariaDB.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- DevKinsta support is handled through Kinsta’s community forum; traditional live chat support is not provided for the product.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Supported use
- DevKinsta currently supports WordPress only.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2013checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- West Hollywood, California, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
Alternatives to DevKinsta
- 1
Garden
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS8.3From $50 a month - 2
DevPod
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows7.4Free plan - 3
Docker Desktop
Free planWebLinuxmacOSWindows7.2From $9 a month - 4
OrbStack
Free planAPImacOS7.2From $8 a month - 5
Testcontainers Desktop
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS7.2Free plan - 6
Kool
Free planWebLinuxmacOSWindows7.1From $49 a month