How to practice WordPress without hosting – browser, local, sandbox

Need to practice WordPress without hosting or a domain? Here are the three fastest paths: WordPress Playground (runs entirely in your browser), a local app on your computer, or an instant online sandbox you can share. Below you’ll find a quick chooser, step‑by‑step setup, how to save work so you don’t lose it, and a clean migration path to real hosting later.

Is there a way to try wordpress without hosting?

Pick the best no‑hosting option

Method	Setup	Shareable	Persistence	Best for
Playground (in‑browser)	1 click in browser	Links/blueprints	Ephemeral unless saved	Quick practice, demos
Local app (desktop)	Install app, 1‑click site	Dev links/tunnels	Lives on your machine	Learning deeply, dev work
Cloud sandbox	1‑click online site	Share URL	Free plans expire	Client previews, tests

Summary: Try Playground first (fastest). If you want a full dev feel, use a local app. If you need a shareable trial site, spin up an online sandbox.

How do I use the WordPress Playground in my browser?

Playground (in‑browser): fastest start

Open the official Playground and launch a site in one click.
Install a theme or plugin and explore the block editor.
Save your work: open the Playground menu and use Save (stores data in your browser) or Download as ZIP to keep a copy.
Share a setup: create a simple Blueprint so others can load the same demo with one link.

Good to know

By default it’s temporary; saving or exporting prevents losing changes on refresh.
Great for quick learning and plugin/theme demos; heavy or long projects are better in local/cloud.

Playground · Blueprints

How do I practice locally on my computer?

Local app - full WordPress on your computer

Install a WordPress‑focused local app (e.g., Local).
Create a new site (the app provisions PHP/MySQL and WordPress automatically).
Log into wp‑admin and build like normal: themes, plugins, content.
Share safely: generate a temporary public link when you need feedback.

Why local?

Persistent projects, works offline, and closer to “real” hosting.
Useful developer extras (SSL, WP‑CLI, PHP version switching) without server setup.

Local (features & docs)

What about online sandboxes I can share?

Cloud sandboxes, instant & shareable

Spin up a free test site (e.g., InstaWP or TasteWP) in seconds.
Customize like normal; send the unique URL to teammates/clients.
Expect expiry on free plans (hours or days). Upgrade or export if you want to keep it.

InstaWP (fast, free sandbox) · TasteWP (one‑click test sites)

How do I save my work and move it to real hosting later?

Migrate your practice site to real hosting

From Playground: use the Playground menu to Save in your browser or Download a ZIP, and/or export content via Tools → Export. On your host, install a fresh WordPress, then Tools → Import content and re‑install your theme/plugins. (For complex sites, recreate key settings or use advanced export options.)
From Local (desktop): use the app’s built‑in export or a backup/migration plugin. Restore to your host, then update siteurl/home and re‑save permalinks.
From Cloud sandboxes: export the site or use the provider’s transfer tools. Validate logins, menus, widgets, and media paths after import.

Final checks: enable pretty permalinks, set your timezone, update the site tagline, and review Settings → Reading (make sure “Discourage search engines” is off for live).

Which option should I choose right now?

Quick chooser

10‑minute tryout → Playground
Learning deeply / building → Local app
Share a demo link → Cloud sandbox

You can start in Playground, then graduate to Local as your project grows, and migrate when you’re ready to go live.