Busymote vs ngrok
The ngrok idea, without the friction
ngrok pioneered tunnelling localhost to a public URL. Busymote keeps the good part — a real HTTPS link to your machine — and drops the parts that slow a demo down: no agent to install, no authtoken to paste, and a link that stays the same every single time.
| Busymote | ngrok | |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent URL on the free plan | ✓ Same link every run | Random URL each session |
| Get started | ✓ npx busymote 3000 | Install agent + set authtoken |
| Custom, brandable name | ✓ beam.busymote.xyz | Paid plans only |
| Password on the link | ✓ Free | Paid plans |
| Control from your phone | ✓ Web dashboard | Terminal only |
| QR code to open on mobile | ✓ | — |
| Price | Free · Pro $5/mo | Free (limited) · from $8/mo |
When ngrok is the better pick
ngrok does far more than share an HTTP port — raw TCP tunnels, request inspection and replay, a big integration ecosystem. If you need those, reach for it. Busymote is deliberately narrow: the simplest possible permanent link to a localhost web server, and remote control of it.