Compare tools

Demotape vs ngrok. Share the app, not just a port.

ngrok gives you access. Demotape gives you access plus visibility into how someone actually used the app.

If the job is sharing a local app and understanding behavior instantly, Demotape is the better fit.

$demotape
→your-app.demotape.dev
No SDK. No config. Works instantly.

Where Demotape fits

Demotape fills the gap between raw tunnel access and real visibility. Share the app, then see what happened.

The difference at a glance

ToolWhat it doesWhen you use it
ngrokExpose one localhost portWhen you need access
DemotapeShare the full running applicationWhen you want feedback before deploying

Use ngrok for access. Use Demotape when you need access plus understanding.

More than a tunnel

Demotape vs ngrok

ngrok

  • •Securely expose local services to the internet
  • •Great for APIs, webhooks, and debugging endpoints
  • •Supports multiple tunnels, domains, and traffic inspection

Where it falls short

  • –You still wire things together manually (frontend + API + auth)
  • –No visibility into what the user actually does
  • –Not designed for guided demos or feedback loops
  • –A shared URL still leaves you asking what happened after they clicked it

DemoTape

  • ✓Shares your full app (not just a port)
  • ✓Automatically detects and connects services
  • ✓Lets you see exactly how someone interacts with it
  • ✓Turns one shared link into a replayable feedback loop

ngrok exposes your app. Demotape helps you understand what happened inside it.

If the job is simple access, ngrok fits. If the job is feedback, debugging, or early product review, Demotape fits better.

With ngrok, you send a URL. With Demotape, you get the session back.

When to use each

SituationTool
Sharing an early prototype for first feedbackDemotape
Showing a feature branch to a clientDemotape
Running a live walkthrough of a new featureDemotape
Debugging a bug someone hit during reviewDemotape
Iterating live while someone is testingDemotape
Quickly testing your vibe code app on the phoneDemotape
Sharing a simple web app without session replayngrok
Exposing a local API to an external servicengrok
Testing a webhook integration locallyngrok

Why developers switch

Stop guessing. Start seeing.

Stop deploying just to get feedback.

Stop sending new preview links.

Stop asking “what did you click?”

Run one command. Share a link. See what happened.

Try it in under 10 seconds.

$ npm install -g @demotape.dev/cli$ demotape

No SDK. No setup. No friction.

Start sharing your app instantly.

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