Batch Runs
Give a snippet or Artisan command named value lists like id: 1,2,3, run the rows one after another behind a single production confirmation, retry whatever did not finish, and export the results as CSV, Markdown, or JSON. A Premium extra.
// free tinkerwell alternative
A free Tinkerwell alternative for Laravel developers.
LaraBench does the Laravel part of what Tinkerwell does — run Tinker snippets and Artisan commands against local Laravel apps, Docker containers, or remote servers over SSH — for free. No license key, no account, no trial clock.
latest release v1.0.12 · free · no account · no license key
// larabench vs tinkerwell
How LaraBench compares to Tinkerwell.
Tinkerwell is a mature, paid PHP scratchpad that supports many frameworks. LaraBench is free and focuses on one thing: running Laravel code against real apps.
| LaraBench | Tinkerwell | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Paid license |
| Account or license key | None needed | License key |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, and Linux | Mac, Windows, and Linux |
| Framework focus | Laravel only | Laravel, Symfony, WordPress, Magento, and more |
| Run targets | Local Laravel projects, local Docker containers (docker exec), and SSH servers | Local projects, SSH, Docker, Vapor, Kubernetes |
| Editor | Monaco (the VS Code editor) with Intelephense PHP autocomplete | Custom editor with AI-powered completion |
| Structured output | Clean output: model cards, collection tables, expandable trees, SQL detection | Detail Dive: cards, tables, graphs, email previews |
| Query analysis | Duplicate queries, possible N+1 patterns, and slow queries flagged after every run | Query watching, without duplicate or N+1 analysis |
| Saved snippets and run history | Yes, stored locally | Yes |
| Laravel log viewer | Built in, with level filters and search | Log tailing |
| Production safety | Environment badges, production confirmation, write detection | Environment awareness |
| AI features | No code generation or chat in the editor. Instead, a built-in MCP server lets Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Codex, or Cursor drive LaraBench, with production connections hidden by default and every AI-triggered run recorded in History. | AI code generation and chat |
Tinkerwell is a product of Beyond Code GmbH. Feature summary based on the public Tinkerwell website; check tinkerwell.app for current details and pricing.
// also in larabench
A few things that sit outside the comparison.
These shipped after the table above was first written. They are listed separately because we have not verified what Tinkerwell offers in each area, and we would rather say nothing than guess.
MCP server
Four free local reads for AI clients — connections, saved items, run history, and logs — plus a jobs search for Laravel. Running and saving through AI needs Premium and the app open, and production access is off unless you turn it on.
Jobs for Laravel
A jobs board built from Laravel-specific sources, browsable in the app and on the website, filterable by stack, source, seniority, arrangement, and country.
Cloud sync and share links
Premium syncs saved snippets, saved commands, custom themes, and opt-in run history across devices, and turns a snippet, command, or benchmark report into an unlisted share link.
// what people use it for
The everyday Tinker workflow, in a desktop app.
Inspect Eloquent data
Run a query against a real app and read the result as a table or attribute card instead of raw dump text.
Debug staging and production over SSH
Save a server once and run read-only queries against it, with an explicit confirmation before production runs.
Work locally in development
Run against a Laravel app on your machine, or point LaraBench at your Laradock or other dev container when the app should stay inside Docker.
Keep the snippets you reuse
Save Tinker snippets and Artisan commands locally and load them back into the runner. Every run also lands in searchable history.
// workflow library
The Laravel Tinker workflow library covers production checks, Eloquent, queues, logs, routes, errors, Docker, and SSH. Working in Sail, Laradock, or another container setup? Read the Docker Tinker workflow for the terminal command, LaraBench connection fields, and troubleshooting steps.
When Tinkerwell is the better fit.
We would rather you pick the right tool than the free one. Buy Tinkerwell if you need any of these — it is a good product and has been around for years.
Other frameworks
Symfony, WordPress, Magento, or plain PHP projects. LaraBench is Laravel only.
Vapor and Kubernetes
LaraBench targets local projects, Docker, and SSH. It does not cover Vapor or Kubernetes.
AI-assisted coding
Tinkerwell ships AI code generation and chat. LaraBench has no AI features.
Command palette and magic comments
Tinkerwell has a command palette and inline //? result comments. LaraBench does not have these.
// faq
Common questions.
Is LaraBench really free?
Yes. The LaraBench desktop app is free to download and use on macOS, Windows, and Linux. There is no trial period, no license key, and no account. A €19.99/year Premium plan adds cloud sync across devices, but everything you run locally stays free.
Is LaraBench a full Tinkerwell replacement?
For Laravel work — running Tinker snippets and Artisan commands against local Laravel apps, local Docker containers, or SSH servers — yes. Tinkerwell still goes further if you need other frameworks like Symfony or WordPress, Vapor or Kubernetes targets, or AI-assisted coding.
Does LaraBench work with local Laravel apps like Herd or Valet?
Yes. LaraBench can run directly against a local Laravel folder on your machine, which makes it a good fit for plain local apps, Herd, and Valet setups. If your app only boots correctly inside Docker, use a Docker exec connection instead.
Does LaraBench work with Docker and Laradock?
Yes. Add a Docker exec connection pointing at your container (a Laradock workspace, for example) and its Laravel app path. LaraBench runs your code inside the container without installing anything in it.
Can I run code on remote servers over SSH?
Yes. Save the host, SSH user, and Laravel app path once. LaraBench connects over SSH, reuses the connection for repeat runs, and labels every connection as local, staging, or production.
Can I use LaraBench with Claude Code, Codex, or Cursor?
Yes. LaraBench hosts a token-protected MCP server, and the installed app provides the shim those clients connect through. Reading your connections, saved items, run history, and Laravel logs is free and works even while the app is closed. Running snippets or Artisan commands through an AI client requires Premium and the app to be open. Production connections are hidden from AI by default, dry-run connections suppress writes, production writes need an in-app confirmation, and every AI-triggered run is recorded in History with an AI badge.
Is my code or data sent anywhere?
No. LaraBench is a local-first desktop app. Connections, snippets, and run history are stored on your machine, and your code runs only on the connections you configure.
What platforms does LaraBench run on?
LaraBench is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux. macOS and Linux downloads come from the LaraBench website, and Windows installs through the Microsoft Store.
Try the free workbench for Laravel.
Download LaraBench, add your first local, Docker, or SSH connection, and run a snippet in a couple of minutes. See the full feature tour on the homepage.
latest release v1.0.12 · free · no account · no license key