---
{"title": "Best local dev server managers for backend engineers in 2026", "description": "Compare PM2, Docker Compose, Process Compose, Overmind and DevWebUI for running local backend servers, with questions to ask before you choose.", "url": "https://saydeploy.com/best-local-dev-server-managers-for-backend-engineers/", "date": "2026-10-26"}
---
Compare PM2, Docker Compose, Process Compose, Overmind and DevWebUI for running local backend servers, with questions to ask before you choose.

Backend engineers usually run an API alongside the services it depends on, so the right tool depends on whether those services run in containers, which operating system the team uses, and how much starting them in order matters. DevWebUI starts, stops and restarts local dev servers from one dashboard, with each one's status, CPU, memory and logs. [^1] The sections below set out what each option's source says and nothing more.

| Option | What its source says it does | Where it runs or what it needs | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| DevWebUI | It starts, stops and restarts local dev servers from one dashboard, with status, CPU, memory and logs. [^1] | Prebuilt Windows x64 app; on other systems it runs from source with Bun. [^1] | Free, and core features need no account. [^1] Open source under the MIT License. [^1] |
| Process Compose | Scheduler and orchestrator for managing non-containerized applications. [^2] | Single binary with no other dependencies, because it is written in Go. [^2] | Not published. |
| Docker Compose | Tool for defining and running multi-container applications. [^3] | Works in production, staging, development, testing, and CI workflows. [^3] | Docker Personal includes 100 Docker Hub pulls per hour and 1 private Docker Hub repo. [^4] Other fees: not published. |
| Overmind | Process manager for Procfile-based applications and tmux. [^5] | Supports only Linux, BSD and macOS, and requires tmux. [^5] [^5] | Not published. |
| PM2 | Process manager that helps manage applications and keep them online 24/7. [^6] | Installed globally with npm. [^6] | A 20% discount applies to the PM2 Plus subscription. [^7] Other fees: not published. |

## What backend engineers need from local dev server managers

A backend engineer often runs an API, one or more workers, and the services they depend on, such as a database, a cache or a message queue. Each day, the work is usually to start that whole set in one step, restart one piece such as the API after a code change without stopping the database behind it, and read the output of each piece without hunting through terminal windows.

Port clashes come up often. Two services want the same port, or an old process still holds it, and the engineer needs to see which process it is before deciding what to stop.

The limits are practical. Some backend stacks run inside containers and others run directly on the machine, and a tool built for one can carry more than the other needs. Some tools need other software installed first. Some run only on certain operating systems, and cost and licence terms differ, since some tools in this space have a free part and a paid part.

## DevWebUI for backend engineers

DevWebUI is made by the team that publishes this site. It lets you start, stop and restart local dev servers from one dashboard, and see each one's status, CPU, memory and logs. [^1]

Errors from your servers are collected into one log that merges repeats and is kept across restarts, and each file and line reference opens in your editor. [^1] If the last shutdown was not clean, the next launch loads your projects but starts nothing automatically. [^1]

DevWebUI can start the repo's Docker stack first, wait for its ports and set environment variables such as DATABASE_URL for your app. [^1] One small file per repo lists the servers to run, and changes you make in the dashboard are written back to that file. [^1] A devwebui command-line tool controls the same processes without the dashboard. [^1]

DevWebUI is free, and its core features need no account. [^1] It is open source under the MIT License. [^1] There is a prebuilt Windows x64 app; on other systems you run it from source with Bun, and the tray app is Windows-only for now. [^1]

## Docker Compose for backend engineers

Docker Pro is for individual professionals who require more advanced features and additional resources. [^4]

Whether your backend already runs in containers decides how much a container tool helps, so settle that before you compare plans.

## Process Compose for backend engineers

Process Compose is a scheduler and orchestrator for managing non-containerized applications. [^2] It is a single binary with no other dependencies, because it is written in Go. [^2] Its dependency graph can be viewed in the command line, the terminal interface and the API. [^2]

It can also restart a process when its files change, optionally cascading to its dependents. [^2]

## Overmind for backend engineers

Overmind is a process manager for Procfile-based applications and tmux. [^5] It currently supports only Linux, BSD and macOS. [^5] Building it from source requires Go 1.21 or later. [^5]

Check your operating system and your team's mix of machines before you choose, since support differs across them.

## PM2 for backend engineers

PM2 can be installed globally with npm. [^6] A 20% discount applies to the PM2 Plus subscription. [^7]

This page has no fact on whether PM2 itself is free, so check PM2's own page before you decide.

## Matching the tool to the job

If the job is starting a set of services in one step and seeing each one's status and logs in one place, DevWebUI's dashboard covers that. [^1] If a database or other containers must be running first, DevWebUI can start the repo's Docker stack, wait for its ports and set environment variables for the app. [^1]

If your services run directly on the machine and depend on one another, Process Compose can show a dependency graph in its command line, terminal interface and API. [^2] If your team already uses Procfile-based applications on Linux, BSD or macOS, Overmind is a process manager for that setup. [^5]

When a port is already taken, DevWebUI shows which process holds it and can free the port if you ask. [^1] If you prefer scripts, a devwebui command-line tool controls the same processes without the dashboard. [^1] Check how each option handles restarting one piece while the rest keep running before you rely on it.

## Questions to ask before you choose

Which services must be running before your API starts, and do any of them run in containers? The answer decides whether a tool built around containers belongs in your comparison at all.

Which operating system does each person on the team use? Check each option's operating system support, since a mixed team needs a tool that covers every machine.

Do you need to start the services in a fixed order, or restart one piece while the rest keep running? Check how each option handles that before you rely on it.

Do you want a command-line way to control the processes, or is a dashboard enough? And if a paid part exists, would you use it, or only the free part?

## Frequently asked questions

### Which local dev server manager works on Windows, macOS and Linux?

DevWebUI has a prebuilt app for Windows x64, its tray app is Windows-only for now, and on other systems you run it from source with Bun. [^1] Overmind's page says it supports Linux, BSD and macOS only. [^5] Check the operating system each person on your team uses before you choose, since support differs between the options and this page does not list every option for each system.

### Is PM2 free for backend engineers?

The facts on this page about PM2's cost cover only a 20% discount on the PM2 Plus subscription. [^7] PM2 can be installed globally with npm. [^6] Check PM2's own page for whether the core tool is free before you decide.

### What does Overmind need before it runs?

Overmind is a process manager for Procfile-based applications and tmux. [^5] It currently supports only Linux, BSD and macOS. [^5] Building it from source requires Go 1.21 or later. [^5] Check the requirements on its page before you install, since this page has no further facts about its setup.

### Can DevWebUI start a Docker stack before backend servers?

DevWebUI can start the repo's Docker stack first, wait for its ports and set environment variables such as DATABASE_URL for your app. [^1] Check how your stack is set up in the repo before you rely on this.

### Is DevWebUI free and open source?

DevWebUI is free, and its core features need no account. [^1] It is open source under the MIT License. [^1] It sends an anonymous install ping with update checks unless you set DEVWEBUI_NO_PING=1. [^1] Check whether that setting suits the rules where you work before you install.

DevWebUI is free, and its core features need no account. [^1] - [Visit DevWebUI](/go/start)

## Sources

[^1]: DevWebUI's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher) (/go/start)
[^2]: Process Compose, f1bonacc1.github.io/process-compose, read 2026-10-09 (https://f1bonacc1.github.io/process-compose)
[^3]: Docker Compose, docs.docker.com/compose, read 2026-10-07 (https://docs.docker.com/compose/)
[^4]: Docker Compose, docker.com/pricing, read 2026-10-07 (https://www.docker.com/pricing/)
[^5]: Overmind, github.com/DarthSim/overmind, read 2026-10-07 (https://github.com/DarthSim/overmind)
[^6]: PM2, pm2.keymetrics.io, read 2026-10-07 (https://pm2.keymetrics.io)
[^7]: PM2, pm2.io/pricing, read 2026-10-07 (https://pm2.io/pricing)