Localtonet offers HTTP, TCP, UDP, TLS, File Server, Proxy Server, Rotating Proxy and MCP Gateway tunnels. This page compares them, helps you pick one, and explains what every tunnel page has in common: the create form, Start and Stop, the list filters and the bulk actions.
Compare the tunnel types #
The dashboard menu lists seven pages under My Tunnels: HTTP, TCP - UDP, TLS, File Server, Proxy Server, Rotating Proxy and MCP Gateway. TCP, UDP and UDP - TCP tunnels share the TCP - UDP page.
| Type | Use it for | URL types | Public endpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP | Share a local web app, API or webhook with a public HTTPS URL. | Random subdomain, Custom subdomain, Custom domain | A web address such as https://<SUBDOMAIN>.localto.net, or your own domain. |
| TCP | Databases, SSH, game servers and any other TCP service. | Random subdomain, Custom subdomain | A host name and a server port, such as <SUBDOMAIN>.localto.net:<PORT>. |
| UDP | UDP traffic for real-time services such as game and voice servers. | Random subdomain, Custom subdomain | A host name and a server port. |
| UDP - TCP | One tunnel for a service that needs both TCP and UDP on the same port. | Random subdomain, Custom subdomain | A host name and one server port for both protocols. |
| TLS | Forward encrypted traffic to a local TLS service that manages its own certificate. | Random subdomain, Custom subdomain | A host name on port 443. |
| File Server | Share a folder directly from your device, with no cloud upload. | Random subdomain, Custom subdomain, Custom domain | An address on a subdomain or on your own domain. |
| Proxy Server | Use your connected device as an HTTP, SOCKS5, Shadowsocks or VLESS proxy. | Random subdomain, Custom subdomain | A proxy host name and port. |
| Rotating Proxy | Build a proxy pool from your own devices and manage access for each client. | Random subdomain, Custom subdomain | A proxy host name and port. |
| MCP Gateway | Connect MCP clients to tools that run on your device through a public gateway. | Random subdomain, Custom subdomain, Custom domain | An https:// address on a subdomain or on your own domain. |
The three URL types work the same way on every page that offers them:
- Random subdomain gives you a generated name on the domain you select, such as
localto.net, right away. - Custom subdomain lets you type the name. It needs Balance.
- Custom domain uses a domain that you added in DNS Manager. It needs Balance. See Custom domains.
Which one do I need? #
| You want to | Create |
|---|---|
| Open a website, a dev server, an API or a webhook receiver in a browser or from another service | HTTP |
| Reach SSH, Remote Desktop, a database or a game server that uses TCP | TCP |
| Host a game or voice server that uses UDP | UDP |
| Host a service that uses TCP and UDP on the same port | UDP - TCP |
| Keep the TLS certificate on your own service, so traffic stays encrypted up to your device | TLS |
| Share files from a folder without running a web server | File Server |
| Send internet traffic out through one of your devices | Proxy Server |
| Spread proxy clients over a group of your devices | Rotating Proxy |
| Give an AI client access to MCP tools on your device | MCP Gateway |
HTTP or TLS for a website? Choose HTTP in most cases: Localtonet provides the certificate and you get request inspection, headers, Basic Authentication and the WAF. Choose TLS only when your service must present its own certificate.
What every tunnel has in common #
A tunnel belongs to one device. The Localtonet client on that device connects with an AuthToken, and the tunnel forwards traffic to that client. The exceptions are a Rotating Proxy, which takes its devices from token groups, and a tunnel with load balancing targets. Creating a tunnel only saves its settings. It carries traffic after you start it, and only while the client is connected.
The create form #
Every tunnel page starts with a collapsed form, for example Create HTTP Tunnel. Select it to open it. The form shows the same three steps on each page: choose your device and region, configure your endpoint, then create and select Start.
| Field | What it means | Where |
|---|---|---|
| URL type | How the public address is chosen: Random subdomain, Custom subdomain or Custom domain. | All pages. Custom domain only on HTTP, File Server and MCP Gateway. |
| Device token | The token used by the Localtonet app on your device. Tokens are listed under My Tokens. | All pages except Rotating Proxy, which asks for token groups. |
| Server region | The Localtonet server that receives the traffic. Choose a region close to your device for lower latency. | All pages |
| Domain | localto.net or a domain you added in DNS Manager. The proxy pages offer localtonetproxy.com instead of localto.net. | All pages. On File Server only for Custom subdomain and Custom domain. |
| Subdomain | The name you want. Shown for Custom subdomain. | All pages |
| Local IP address | Address of the service on your device. Use 127.0.0.1 for this device. | HTTP, TCP - UDP, TLS |
| Local port | The port your local service listens on, from 1 to 65535. | HTTP, TCP - UDP, TLS |
Select Create tunnel. The tunnel appears under Your tunnels with the title Tunnel # followed by its ID. You can rename it later in the tunnel settings.
On the HTTP, TCP - UDP, TLS, Proxy Server and MCP Gateway pages the Server region list also has the entry Local as a Server. When you choose it, the form adds the field Relay server IP. Enter an IP address of your device that can be reached from outside. A loopback address such as 127.0.0.1 is refused with the message "The local server IP must be reachable from outside."
Start and stop #
Each row of Your tunnels has an Actions column. The first button starts a stopped tunnel or stops a running one. The Connection column of a running tunnel shows ON or OFF.
When the Localtonet app of the tunnel's token is not connected, Start opens a dialog that names the token and says it is offline. You have two choices:
- Open the Localtonet app that uses this AuthToken. The tunnel starts by itself as soon as the app connects.
- Select Start anyway. The tunnel is turned on now, counts as active, and goes live when the app connects.
To remove a tunnel, select the delete button in the same column. Its endpoint and settings are removed. Stop the tunnel instead if you want to keep it for later.
Find tunnels in the list #
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Filters | Shows the filter row: one or more domains (All Domains), a token (Tokens), a status (All statuses, Running, Stopped) and the search box Search tunnels…. |
| Clear filters | Removes every filter and the search text. |
| Columns | Choose which columns to show and change their order. Columns that do not fit your screen move into Details. Reset to default restores the original layout. |
| Refresh | Loads the list again. |
In the list you can also select the server name to move a tunnel to another server (Change Server), and the token name to give the tunnel another token (Change AuthToken). After a server change, DNS updates may take up to 3 hours. When you change the token of a running tunnel, the tunnel stops, waits 2 seconds, then restarts with the selected AuthToken.
Bulk actions #
Tick the checkbox of one or more tunnels, or the checkbox in the table header to select all tunnels on the page. The filter row is replaced by the number of selected tunnels and four buttons.
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| Start | Starts the selected tunnels after you confirm with Yes, Start!. A bulk start does not show the offline dialog: a tunnel whose app is offline goes live once the app connects. |
| Stop | Stops the selected tunnels after you confirm with Yes, Stop!. |
| Export | Downloads the selected tunnels as a file. See below. |
| Delete | Deletes the selected tunnels after you confirm. |
Export opens Export Settings. Choose a format and the columns, then select Yes, Export!.
| Option | Choices |
|---|---|
| Select Format | Excel (tunnels.xlsx), TXT (tunnels.txt, values separated by | ) or CSV (tunnels.csv). |
| Select Columns | ID, Title, URL, Server, Port, Created Date and Custom Data 1 to Custom Data 4. At least one column is required. The Custom Data columns hold ready-made proxy address formats and are meant for proxy tunnels. |
Tunnel settings #
The settings button in the Actions column opens the Tunnel settings panel. Tunnel Details shows the address, the creation date and the token, and lets you edit the title and, on HTTP, TCP - UDP and TLS tunnels, the local IP address and the local port. Load Balance leads to the targets of the tunnel; the Rotating Proxy page does not have it. Settings lists the options of that tunnel type. The Settings reference describes every option.
Free plan limits #
The dashboard states the Free plan limits like this:
- 1 tunnel total, shared across all types. Delete your existing tunnel before creating another, or add Balance for more tunnels.
- 30 minutes per session: TCP/UDP, TLS, Proxy and Rotating Proxy tunnels stop after 30 minutes. HTTP, File Server and MCP Gateway tunnels are exempt. Select Start to begin another session.
- 1 GB per month, across all your tunnels.
A positive Balance removes these limits. See Plans and Balance and the pricing section.
