Web Server for macOS

[mattspace]

Hi,

Looking for any recommendations for a web server to run on macOS to serve RSS feeds to the machine it's running upon, and to other machines on the network. Ideally, I'd like a self-contained server product that runs as a GUI app, rather than messing with the (is it still included?) built-in Apache itself.

Multiple sites, multiple feeds etc.

I looked at MAMP Pro, but their support people seem... odd in their responses to questions.

Any ideas appreciated.

 

[Boyd01]

Have been using MAMP Pro for about 6 years with no problems. Don't know anything about their support because I never needed it. Actually, I don't think I'm even using any of the "Pro" features, the basic free version seems pretty complete.

But you mention "multiple sites", depending on what you're trying to do then you might need the Pro version for that. It lets you have completely different sites with different web root directories. But do you really need separate sites or just separate pages? The regular version would let you have separate pages under the same root, such as ~/htdocs/version1/ and ~/htdocs/version2/, etc. Sorry, I don't know anything about RSS feeds or what special challenges they might pose.

 

[mattspace]

Have been using MAMP Pro for about 6 years with no problems. Don't know anything about their support because I never needed it. Actually, I don't think I'm even using any of the "Pro" features, the basic free version seems pretty complete.

But you mention "multiple sites", depending on what you're trying to do then you might need the Pro version for that. It lets you have completely different sites with different web root directories. But do you really need separate sites or just separate pages? The regular version would let you have separate pages under the same root, such as ~/htdocs/version1/ and ~/htdocs/version2/, etc. Sorry, I don't know anything about RSS feeds or what special challenges they might pose.

What it apparently doesn't let you do, according to their support people, is use it as an actual webserver - and that's what I'm looking for, a GUI configurable webserver, to serve RSS feeds to the host machine, and to other machines on the same network.

 

[chrfr]

What it apparently doesn't let you do, according to their support people, is use it as an actual webserver

I'm not sure what you mean, but MAMP and MAMP Pro do include the Apache web server.

 

[klspahr]

I just installed Apache, PHP, SQL, etc directly into the OS. I use it for development on my local network. Works flawlessly (too scared to open it to the outside world).

You can find very good instructions online on how to do it. It also costs nothing! It really isn’t difficult, I started using MAMP but this method is always on and invisible to me during normal usage. (You can also turn it off via simple command lines.)

 

[mattspace]

I just installed Apache, PHP, SQL, etc directly into the OS. I use it for development on my local network. Works flawlessly (too scared to open it to the outside world).

You can find very good instructions online on how to do it. It also costs nothing! It really isn’t difficult, I started using MAMP but this method is always on and invisible to me during normal usage. (You can also turn it off via simple command lines.)

Yeah I did that in the past, and don't want to do it again

 

[Boyd01]

What it apparently doesn't let you do, according to their support people, is use it as an actual webserver

It can certainly do that on your LAN, other computers/phones on the same wifi network can reach your site(s) by using the IP address of the server. The support people might have meant that it's not intended to be used as a production web server on the internet. The reason for that might be security? or performance? Don't know.

Not sure, since I have the Pro version, but think you can access your localhost site this way with the standard version of MAMP but you need the Pro version to host multiple sites. You could give it a try with the free version. See this:

MAMP PRO (macOS) Documentation > How Tos > General > Accessing localhost on a LAN

documentation-5.mamp.info

I just installed Apache, PHP, SQL, etc directly into the OS. I use it for development on my local network.

Was working on a project last year where I installed Linux on several Android devices, then installed Apache2 with https and used it to serve a web app directly on the device. Was also able to easily access the server on that phone with other phones and computers on my wifi network - and performance was surprisingly good! Anyway, after figuring out the config files I realized that this is actually very simple to setup. Next time I'll just forget MAMP and install Apache directly on MacOS.

But I only work with javascript/css/html. I guess one appeal of MAMP is that you can setup a local Wordpress site with a few clicks (or so they claim). It also has the "Dynamic DNS" feature I never quite figured out and didn't need, but think it allows you to fake a domain name on your LAN for your site.

I started working with BSD unix on a VAX 11/750 back in 1985, so not afraid to use the terminal on my mac. OTOH, if there's an easier way with a friendly user interface then I'm all for that. Why not just install the free version of MAMP and see if it will fit your needs?

 

[mattspace]

It can certainly do that on your LAN, other computers/phones on the same wifi network can reach your site(s) by using the IP address of the server. The support people might have meant that it's not intended to be used as a production web server on the internet. The reason for that might be security? or performance? Don't know.

What I'm trying to do is build a modular podcast republishing system, where manually organised podcast episodes in finder directories, can then have RSS feeds automatically generated from those directory contents, which can then be subscribed / stream listened to in a podcast player on the same machine, or on an iOS device on the same wifi network (which can download the files for offline listening).

The goal is to make the storage of shows separate from the subscription / downloading, separate from the listening.

I found another Webserver which really looks to be the goods (including the ability to set custom certificates so I could theoretically not worry about machines on other networks spoofing my machine and attracting connection attempts from my iOS devices).

GreenWorldSoft | Sync Folders Pro Mac OS X | VPN Server Mac OS X

Sync Macs, Mac and PC for Beginners and Professionals. Access to your Mac and Local Network from anywhere in the World. Sync two Macs on the network.

www.greenworldsoft.com

But I'm not sure I'm 100% confident in a server product from a company located in Russia.

 

[Boyd01]

Sorry, like I said, don't know anything about RSS feeds so I don't understand the process of how you would build and serve such a site. I honestly have no idea how to serve RSS feeds or even what they are! But if you are just creating directories of files for people to click on, that is very straightforward.

Had quick look at the link you posted, appears to just be a basic web server. Why do you think it would be better than MAMP? I don't understand the part about "not worrying about machines on other networks spoofing my machine and attracting connection attempts from my iOS devices". If you want to serve using https, MAMP can do that and so can a direct install of Apache. You can generate your own SSL certificates, but they don't behave quite the same as a "real" https internet site with something such as a domain-validated cert.

 

[mattspace]

Sorry, like I said, don't know anything about RSS feeds so I don't understand the process of how you would build and serve such a site. I honestly have no idea how to serve RSS feeds or even what they are! But if you are just creating directories of files for people to click on, that is very straightforward.

RSS feed is just an XML file, linking to feed items. In podcasting's case, it links to the audio files.

Had quick look at the link you posted, appears to just be a basic web server. Why do you think it would be better than MAMP? I don't understand the part about "not worrying about machines on other networks spoofing my machine and attracting connection attempts from my iOS devices". If you want to serve using https, MAMP can do that and so can a direct install of Apache. You can generate your own SSL certificates, but they don't behave quite the same as a "real" https internet site with something such as a domain-validated cert.

The concern scenario is I have my iPhone's Podcasts.app subscribed to feeds.xml on https://192.168.10.1:8050/ and downloading anything it finds at that address. The phone is taken to another location and a malicious server configured similarly will have that file auto-downloaded in the background.

Podcasts'app has a significant vulnerability to malformed RSS feeds, and loads them in the background, even if you're not actually subscribed to those feeds on the device itself, by the mere presence of files from that feed (synced via iTunes, for example). So if the feed is malformed, you can end up with the app in crash-loops, for example.

I literally explained to MAMP that I wanted to serve with https and use a self-signed certificate, and their support people said "it won't be suitable for your purpose" and closed the ticket. I re-opened it and asked them to explain further, and they were similarly taciturn with "it's designed for local testing only" and closed te ticket again.

Simple Web Server looks like it might be an option as well:

Simple Web Server

Create local web servers in just a few clicks with an easy-to-use interface. Download for Windows or macOS.

simplewebserver.org

They could use a better logo, but it seems to do all the things.

 

[Boyd01]

OK, thanks. I think the tech support person was just giving you the "company line" because MAMP isn't intended as a production web server. But it should be able to use a self-signed certificate in the same way as any other webserver app. The scenario you describe sounds a little weird to me. For that to happen, there would have to be another server on another LAN that actually had the same IP address as yours. Is that likely? Seems like they would have to be specifically targeting you.

I really don't think the situation would be any different with any other local server app. Good luck with your project, hope you find a good solution.

 

[mattspace]

OK, thanks. I think the tech support person was just giving you the "company line" because MAMP isn't intended as a production web server. But it should be able to use a self-signed certificate in the same way as any other webserver app. The scenario you describe sounds a little weird to me. For that to happen, there would have to be another server on another LAN that actually had the same IP address as yours. Is that likely? Seems like they would have to be specifically targeting you.

I really don't think the situation would be any different with any other local server app. Good luck with your project, hope you find a good solution.

Thanks - it does ask a larger question though - why there isn't a standalone production webserver for macOS. There seem to be plenty for developer testing, but given how much of macOS is being locked down, and how much formerly standard UNIX stuff is being removed, it really seems like a proper professional-spec webserver as a standalone thing will be necessitated before too long.

 

[Boyd01]

why there isn't a standalone production webserver for macOS.

But there is and seems to me we've already covered this. You can install apache on MacOS and use it just like any other unix/Linux system, but you said you didn't want to do that. As was also said earlier in the thread, MAMP installs Apache (apache2, actually) in it's own directory inside the Applications folder and provides a GUI. You're using Apache when you use MAMP. I'd be surprised if those other apps weren't also based on apache.

 

[mattspace]

But there is and seems to me we've already covered this. You can install apache on MacOS and use it just like any other unix/Linux system, but you said you didn't want to do that. As was also said earlier in the thread, MAMP installs Apache (apache2, actually) in it's own directory inside the Applications folder and provides a GUI. You're using Apache when you use MAMP. I'd be surprised if those other apps weren't also based on apache.

Yeah I absolutely understand, but I'm not interested in installing deeper unix/linux processes on the system. I think in the next couple of years the only way to run a webserver on macOS is going to be as a notarised application, with a .dmg/MAS installer, etc.

"First, install Homebrew..." isn't going to be sustainable, long term.

MAMP isn't really an option if their support staff are going to tell me to take a running leap because I'm using it in a way they say isn't 'intended".

More importantly, I'm trying to find a turnkey solution that I can recommend to others, and they need to not have MAMP tell them to sod off, or to have to edit httpd.conf etc.

 

[chrfr]

Yeah I absolutely understand, but I'm not interested in installing deeper unix/linux processes on the system.

Apache already ships with macOS. It's not actually necessary to install another one, but Apple is often slow to update the built in version so security can be a concern. The reason you don't see more options to buy web servers for Macs is that the platform really makes no sense to use for this purpose.
With that said, for something in-house that isn't generally exposed to the larger internet, using the built-in Apache and whatever SSL certificate you'd like would be fine.
Edit: also Apache has been a standard web server for decades. Finding documentation on how to enable and configure it (which, yes, requires editing httpd.conf) is not difficult.

 

[mattspace]

Apache already ships with macOS. It's not actually necessary to install another one, but Apple is often slow to update the built in version so security can be a concern. The reason you don't see more options to buy web servers for Macs is that the platform really makes no sense to use for this purpose.
With that said, for something in-house that isn't generally exposed to the larger internet, using the built-in Apache and whatever SSL certificate you'd like would be fine.
Edit: also Apache has been a standard web server for decades. Finding documentation on how to enable and configure it (which, yes, requires editing httpd.conf) is not difficult.

I understand, but I specifically don't want to use the built in Apache.

I've read all the documentation, I've done it before, and I'm done with it. I want a single, self contained app, like Iconfactory's WorldWideWeb.app I can install from a dmg / MAS, erase with AppCleaner, and have zero effect on my completely vanilla system from the process.

And I don't want to have to install Homebrew, or Docker, or any other baroque suggestions that aren't the specific thing I'm looking for.

 

[Boyd01]

That's all fine, and perfectly reasonable. However, it's a separate issue from this. A "production webserver" doesn't need those user-friendly things you want.

it does ask a larger question though - why there isn't a standalone production webserver for macOS.

But I still think MAMP meets all your stated requirements. Of course, the company is going to tell you that it's not a production webserver, because it isn't. I suspect that the authors of those other apps would tell you the same thing. Using it personally on your home network, perhaps with a few friends/family members is one thing. But if it's a network in an office with a bunch of people, possibly strangers, then I would never want them connecting to a server running on my personal Mac.

 

[mattspace]

That's all fine, and perfectly reasonable. However, it's a separate issue from this. A "production webserver" doesn't need those user-friendly things you want.

We had them in the Mac OS 8/9 days - there were a number of self-contained fully-GUI "real server" webserver apps.

But I still think MAMP meets all your stated requirements. Of course, the company is going to tell you that it's not a production webserver, because it isn't.

MAMP/MAMP PRO is a local web dev environment if the first place, so, long story short, it can't host RSS feeds live server.

Can't, not "isn't suited to".

I'm not going to waste my time on them, regardless of whether it "might" work, because you can never be sure they won't shut off all access from outside the machine in a point update. Its a local development environment, after all.

I suspect that the authors of those other apps would tell you the same thing. Using it personally on your home network, perhaps with a few friends/family members is one thing.

Yup, and MAMP don't even seem to support doing that. *shrug*

 

[Flynnsworth]

What I'm trying to do is build a modular podcast republishing system, where manually organised podcast episodes in finder directories, can then have RSS feeds automatically generated from those directory contents, which can then be subscribed / stream listened to in a podcast player on the same machine, or on an iOS device on the same wifi network (which can download the files for offline listening).

The goal is to make the storage of shows separate from the subscription / downloading, separate from the listening.

MAMP Pro or XAMPP should do the job.

If you don’t mind getting nerdy, Docker with something like DDEV, or Orbstack will also do the trick.

Alternatively, have you looked into something like Audiobookshelf? It’s a self-hosted audiobook and podcast server.

There will be similar applications and scripts out there such as podgrab.

 

[mattspace]

MAMP Pro or XAMPP should do the job.

Is it notarised? I find the site frustratingly low on details.

If you don’t mind getting nerdy, Docker with something like DDEV, or Orbstack will also do the trick.

I do, very much. I will not instal a developer tool chain, or a sysadmin / enterprise deployment environment, to run a single app.

Alternatively, have you looked into something like Audiobookshelf? It’s a self-hosted audiobook and podcast server.

I have, and their iOS app is forever in testflight, and their main app seems to require using a web / electron interface to administer / configure it.

There will be similar applications and scripts out there such as podgrab.

Getting the podcasts isn't the issue - there's dozens of ways to do that, the issues are generating an RSS feed of the local folder you keep the episodes in, and re-serving that RSS feed.

Table stakes are that the server has to be a Mac app, has to be self-contained (ie doesn't interact with the built-in Apache), has to be notarised, and has to be supported as a server not just a "local developer tool that might work as a server until it doesn't".

 

[DuskHorizon]

Did you search App Store for it? I’ve found many with a simple query “http server”. For example, I found this: https://simplewebserver.org

 

[gilby101]

why there isn't a standalone production webserver for macOS

Production web servers exposed to the internet are much better suited to linux servers (and locked down Windows servers). Desktop operating systems (like macOS) are not appropriate for web servers exposed to the internet.

I am confident that Apple has no intention reentering the production web server space.

 

[mattspace]

Did you search App Store for it? I’ve found many with a simple query “http server”. For example, I found this: https://simplewebserver.org

Yes I linked to it in post #10 ^