Installing WordPress Locally: Complete Guide for Beginners [2025]

Want to try WordPress, develop a theme, or test plugins without risking your live website? Then a local WordPress installation is the solution. In this guide, you'll learn multiple ways to run WordPress on your own computer.

Why Install WordPress Locally?

Advantages

• No hosting costs
• Faster development
• Safe experimentation
• Offline work capability
• Update testing
• Learning environment

Method 1: Local by Flywheel (Recommended)

The easiest way to run WordPress locally. Free, user-friendly, and ready in minutes.

1. Download from localwp.com
2. Install and start
3. Click Create New Site
4. Follow the wizard
5. Done!

Method 2: XAMPP

A classic solution bundling Apache, MySQL, and PHP.

1. Download from apachefriends.org
2. Start Apache and MySQL
3. Download WordPress
4. Create database via phpMyAdmin
5. Run WordPress installer

Method 3: Docker

For technical users, Docker offers the most flexibility with a docker-compose.yml configuration.

Comparison

Conclusion

A local WordPress installation is essential for serious WordPress development. Start with Local for the easiest experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to implement this?

Implementation time varies per situation. Simple configurations can be done within an hour, more complex setups may take several hours to a day.

What are the costs?

Costs depend on your hosting provider and package. Many basic features are included for free, advanced features may incur additional costs.

Do I need technical knowledge?

You need little technical knowledge for the basics. Most hosting providers offer extensive documentation and support to help you.