Cloudflare Tunnel vs ngrok: A Detailed, Practical Comparison for 2024

If you’ve ever needed to expose your local development server to the internet securely, you’re probably familiar with tools like Cloudflare Tunnel and ngrok. Both are excellent options that help you share your local projects, test webhooks, or even demo apps without the hassle of opening firewall ports. In this article, we’ll dive deep into what these services offer, how they compare in terms of ease-of-use, security, performance, and pricing—and help you decide which one might be right for you.

What Are Cloudflare Tunnel and ngrok?

Cloudflare Tunnel

Cloudflare Tunnel (powered by the cloudflared client) is part of Cloudflare’s broader suite of security and networking services. It creates an outbound-only connection from your server to Cloudflare’s global network. This means you don’t need a public IP address or to fiddle with firewall settings. It’s perfect for exposing web servers, SSH, remote desktops, and more while leveraging Cloudflare’s DDoS protection and zero trust features.

ngrok

ngrok is a standalone tool popular with developers for quickly exposing local servers. By simply running a command like ngrok http 8080, you get a public URL that tunnels traffic to your local machine. It’s particularly handy for testing APIs, webhooks, and demos. With its developer-friendly dashboard, features like request inspection, and static domain support even on the free tier, ngrok makes local development sharing effortless.

How to Set Up and Use These Tools

Cloudflare Tunnel Setup

Setting up Cloudflare Tunnel is straightforward:

1. Download and Install:
   • Visit Cloudflare Tunnel Docs to download cloudflared for your operating system.
2. Run the Tunnel:
   • Execute a command such as:

     cloudflared tunnel --url http://localhost:5173
     

   • This command will generate a random public URL like https://seasonal-deck-organisms-sf.trycloudflare.com.
3. Advanced Configuration:
   • You can also create a configuration file for more advanced setups and manage tunnels directly from the Cloudflare dashboard.

ngrok Setup

Getting started with ngrok is just as easy:

1. Download the Client:
   • Head over to the ngrok Documentation page and download the appropriate version.
2. Expose Your Local Server:
   • Open your terminal and run:

     ngrok http 8080
     

   • This provides you with a publicly accessible URL.
3. Configuration and Dashboard:
   • Customize your settings using a simple YAML configuration file.
   • Use the ngrok dashboard for additional features like request inspection and replay.

Security Features

Both services take security seriously, but they approach it a bit differently:

• Cloudflare Tunnel:

  • Uses Cloudflare’s extensive network, offering built-in DDoS protection and firewall rules.
  • Encrypts traffic with options like AES-128 and AES-256.
  • Works on an outbound-only connection model, reducing exposure to direct attacks.
  • Tip: Always ensure you configure your access policies correctly to avoid unauthorized access.
  • More info: Cloudflare Tunnel Security.

• ngrok:

  • Provides features like IP whitelisting, OAuth, JWT, and webhook verification.
  • Meets SOC 2 Type 2 standards for security compliance.
  • Its dashboard offers real-time monitoring and control over active tunnels.
  • Friendly Advice: Even though ngrok is great for testing, double-check its security settings when using it for production demos.
  • More info: ngrok Security.

Performance and Reliability

Both tools leverage global networks to ensure your tunnels are fast and reliable:

• Cloudflare Tunnel:

  • Benefits from Cloudflare’s robust network, delivering high performance with minimal latency.
  • Particularly reliable for HTTP traffic and supports long-running tunnels via TryCloudflare.

• ngrok:

  • Also offers reliable global connections with server locations across the US, Europe, and Asia.
  • The free tier does have some bandwidth limitations, which might affect heavy traffic scenarios.

Custom Domain and Protocol Support

Custom Domain Support

• Cloudflare Tunnel:

  • Typically uses random URLs on the free tier.
  • Supports custom domains through Cloudflare’s DNS setup, though this might require additional configuration or a paid plan.

• ngrok:

  • The free plan now includes one static domain.
  • For custom branded domains (like your-company.com), you can opt for a paid plan starting around $8/month.

Protocol Support

• Cloudflare Tunnel:

  • Supports HTTP, TCP, and importantly, UDP.
  • Why It Matters: UDP support is a game-changer if you’re running gaming servers or other non-HTTP services.

• ngrok:

  • Primarily focuses on HTTP, HTTPS, and TCP.
  • Lacks comprehensive UDP support, which might limit its use for some non-HTTP applications.

Integration with Other Services

Integration can greatly enhance your workflow:

• Cloudflare Tunnel:

  • Seamlessly integrates with Cloudflare’s CDN, Zero Trust platform, and DDoS protection.
  • Supports protocols like gRPC and Websockets, making it versatile for various applications.

• ngrok:

  • Offers integrations with Kubernetes Ingress Controllers, SDKs for languages like Go and Rust, and log export options to platforms like S3 and Datadog.
  • Its developer-centric features (such as request replay) are excellent for debugging and testing.

Pricing and Cost-Effectiveness

Free Tiers

• Cloudflare Tunnel:

  • Free usage through TryCloudflare provides randomly generated URLs.
  • Ideal for development and testing without additional cost.

• ngrok:

  • Free plan includes one static domain and basic features.
  • Great for developers looking for a simple way to expose local servers.

Paid Plans

• Cloudflare Tunnel:

  • Pricing depends on usage and bandwidth, with Pro plans starting at around $20/month.
  • Often more attractive if you’re already part of the Cloudflare ecosystem.

• ngrok:

  • Paid plans start at roughly $8/month for the Personal plan.
  • Offers flexibility with pay-as-you-go options for active endpoints.

Practical Use Cases: Which Tool Is Right for You?

• For Enterprise and Production Use:

  • Cloudflare Tunnel is ideal if you’re already using Cloudflare’s suite of services, need robust security, and require support for UDP traffic. Its integration with Cloudflare’s network means you benefit from advanced security and performance features out-of-the-box.

• For Developers and Testing Environments:

  • ngrok is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a quick, developer-friendly setup with features like request inspection and a free static domain. It’s perfect for demos, API testing, and local development work.

Feature Comparison Table

Feature	Cloudflare Tunnel	ngrok
Ease of Setup	Simple via cloudflared client	Simple via ngrok client
Security	DDoS protection, AES encryption	IP whitelisting, SOC 2 Type 2
Performance	High, leveraging Cloudflare’s global network	High, with multiple global server locations
Custom Domain Support	Requires Cloudflare DNS; free tier uses random URLs	Free static domain; paid custom domains available
Protocol Support	HTTP, TCP, UDP	HTTP, TCP (limited UDP)
Integration	Integrates with Cloudflare CDN and Zero Trust	Integrates with Kubernetes, SDKs, log exports
Pricing (Free Tier)	Free random URLs	Free static domain with bandwidth limits
Paid Plans	Pro plans starting at ~$20/month	Personal plans starting at ~$8/month
Customer Support	Extensive documentation and paid support	Detailed docs, community, and paid support

Conclusion

Both Cloudflare Tunnel and ngrok offer powerful, secure ways to expose your local projects to the internet, each with its own set of advantages. If you’re looking for a solution that integrates seamlessly into an enterprise ecosystem and need UDP support for gaming or other non-HTTP applications, Cloudflare Tunnel is a strong contender. On the other hand, if you’re a developer looking for a straightforward, easy-to-use tool with handy features like request inspection and a free static domain, ngrok might be the perfect fit.

At the end of the day, your choice will depend on your specific needs, your existing infrastructure, and your budget. Why not give both a try and see which one aligns best with your workflow?

Feel free to explore the official Cloudflare Tunnel docs and ngrok documentation for more details. Happy tunneling!