XAMPP for Mac is an easy-to-install Apache distribution for Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, and Solaris. The package includes the Apache web server, MySQL, PHP, Perl, FTP server and phpMyAdmin.

XAMPP for Mac has been designed to be the easiest way to install and run a development server. There are many other WAMP packages available, but XAMPP for Mac is one of the most complete on offer. Apart from Apache, MySQL and PHP, XAMPP includes other really useful tools like phpMyAdmin database administration tool, FileZilla FTP server, Mercury mail server, Perl programming language and Tomcat JSP server.

In the XAMPP Control Panel for Mac, you can easily set up the above services. It can also set the administration site as the server’s home page; from which you can perform all sorts of administrative tasks such as checking the status and security of the server, running tools such as phpMyAdmin analytics and Webalizer. You can also view PHP demos which may be helpful for those developers who are just starting out.

All in all, XAMPP for Mac is a great tool for those who want to get a full development server up and running in no time. The only problem we see is that since it is very easy to set up, it does not have the security features to use as a production server. However, if you really need to make the server accessible over the Internet, you can do so, albeit against the advice of the Apache Friends development team.

Looking for a Windows version of XAMPP for Mac? Download here