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Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Tunnelling TCP through a file

This program can be used to tunnel TCP connections through a file. People have used it for interesting things: - Bridging connections which would otherwise be blocked by a firewall - Tunneling through RDP (similar to an SSH tunnel) - Exposing a localhost web server to others Key features I put effort into: 1. The shared file is restarted every 10 MB, so it doesn't grow indefinitely. 2. Optimisations for latency & bandwidth. (800 Mbps on a Gigabit LAN. 108 Mbps if file tunneling through RDP) 3. Synchronisation between two sides (each side can be started and restarted in any order) I'd love to…

Tunnelling TCP through a file is a program that routes TCP connections through a shared file, enabling users to bypass firewall restrictions, tunnel connections through RDP similar to SSH tunnels, or expose local web… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Tunnelling TCP through a file launched in 2024; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

  1. 1

    Side project tunneling a TCP port through WhatsApp, can be useful on airplanes or any WiFi/carrier that has unlimited social network data limits. Appreciate feedback :)

    2022 · github.com · its alternatives →

  2. 2

    Expose localhost to the internet with a public URL

    2020 · tunnelto.dev · its alternatives →

  3. 3PT
  4. 4

    A cool-as-shit dynamic traceroute powered by custom software, married with an informative article about how the BGP routing protocol works and guides the shape of the Internet.

    2023 · how-did-i-get-here.net · its alternatives →

  5. 5

    Expose your local web server to the internet with a public URL

    2020 · tunnelto.dev · its alternatives →

  6. 6
  7. 7SA

    I've frequently found myself using [nvitop](https://github.com/XuehaiPan/nvitop) to diagnose GPU/CPU contention issues. The two best things about it are: - It's easy to install if I can access pip in the container - It makes a compelling screenshot (which helps me communicate with coworkers.) With those two lessons in mind: Here is Sping! Purpose: Help observe and diagnose latency issues at layer 4+ (TCP/HTTP/HTTPS) Two good things about it: - It's easy to install if you have pip. (Available at…

    2025 · dseltzer.gitlab.io · its alternatives →

  8. 8IM

    Tools, calculator, and helpful information for network engineering, web developers, and IT professionals.

    2013 · tunnelsup.com · its alternatives →

  9. 9
    Expose▲126

    Share your local sites via secure tunnels

    2021 · expose.dev · its alternatives →

  10. 10
    Pinggy▲282

    Public URLs for localhost without downloading any binary

    2024 · pinggy.io · its alternatives →

  11. 11

    build network tunnels over WebRTC. Contribute to rtctunnel/rtctunnel development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2018 · github.com · its alternatives →

  12. 12

    A fast SOCKS5 proxy that tunnels your traffic through what looks like normal SMTP email, bypassing Deep Packet Inspection firewalls. How it works: - Client runs a local SOCKS5 proxy (127.0.0.1:1080) - Traffic is sent to server disguised as SMTP (EHLO, STARTTLS, AUTH) - DPI sees legitimate email session, not a VPN/proxy Features: - One-liner install on any Linux VPS - Multi-user with per-user secrets and IP whitelists - Auto-generated client packages (just double-click to run) - Auto-reconnect on connection loss - Works with any app that supports SOCKS5 Tech: Python/asyncio, TLS…

    Jan 2026 · github.com · its alternatives →

  13. 13

    CLI Native WebRTC Agent in Rust. Contribute to bitwhip/bitwhip development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2024 · github.com · its alternatives →

  14. 14

    filesharing for the meatspace era. Contribute to andunieee/flipflop development by creating an account on GitHub.

    6d ago · github.com · its alternatives →

  15. 15

    Bring your dotfiles to remote machine via SSH. Contribute to FOBshippingpoint/shittp development by creating an account on GitHub.

    Dec 2025 · github.com · its alternatives →

  16. 16

    User space WireGuard port-forward in Rust. Contribute to aramperes/onetun development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2021 · github.com · its alternatives →

  17. 17AT
  18. 18PA

    Hey HN! localtunnel's server needs random ports per client. That doesn't work on Fly.io or behind strict firewalls. We rewrote it in TypeScript and added multiplexing over a single port. Open-source and 100% self-hostable. Public instance at *.pipenet.dev if you don't want to self-host. Built at Glama for our MCP Inspector, but it's a generic tunnel with no ties to our infra. https://github.com/punkpeye/pipenet

    Jan 2026 · pipenet.dev · its alternatives →

  19. 19
    btunnel▲117

    No more localhost, welcome to the internet

    2023 · its alternatives →

  20. 20

    Expose Your Localhost Securely

    2024 · rabonatunnel.com · its alternatives →

  21. 21

    Hey everyone, just wanted to share a quick project I built a bit ago and finally cleaned up enough to post. The premise is simple, you have a file on one computer that you want on a different computer on the same network and don't want a lot of fuss. For the file you want to copy, on the machine where the file is located, run: ./bcp filename Now go to the computer (on the same network) where you want the file to be at, and run: ./bcp The file will be copied over the network and you're done. I created it as a nice way of not having to worry about ssh or anything else really. In fact, it is so…

    2013 · github.com · its alternatives →

  22. 22
    Tunnel▲127

    Collaborative preview URL for your local web app

    2023 · tunnel.dev · its alternatives →

  23. 23

    Hi HN! Fence wraps any command in a sandbox that blocks network by default and restricts filesystem writes. Useful for running semi-trusted code (package installs, build scripts, unfamiliar repos) with controlled side effects, or even just blocking tools that phone home. > fence curl https://example.com # -> blocked > fence -t code -- npm install # -> template with registries allowed > fence -m -- npm install # -> monitor mode: see what gets blocked One use-case is to use it with AI coding agents to reduce the risk of running agents with fewer interactive permission prompts: >…

    Jan 2026 · github.com · its alternatives →

  24. 24SE

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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →