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StackPod Launch: Local Databases Without the Docker Headache

We built StackPod because we were tired of spending 45 minutes debugging YAML indentation just to run a local Redis instance. One-click setup for PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB, and 60+ services.

W
Webby
Jan 12, 2026 · 2 min read

The Problem

Last Tuesday, I spent 47 minutes trying to run a local PostgreSQL instance for a new project.

Not building features. Not writing code. Just trying to get docker-compose.yml to stop throwing errors about network conflicts and volume permissions.

This happens constantly. Every new project starts with:

  1. Copy some Docker Compose config from an old project
  2. Update service versions
  3. Fight with YAML indentation
  4. Google the error message
  5. Repeat steps 3-4 for 30-60 minutes

We built StackPod because we were done with this.

What It Does

StackPod gives you one-click local databases. No YAML. No Docker knowledge required.

Here's how it works:

  1. Pick a service (PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB, whatever)
  2. Click "Start"
  3. Copy the connection string
  4. Paste it into your code

That's it. The service runs locally. Your code connects. You build your app.

What's Included

60+ services, including:

Databases

  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • Redis
  • Cassandra

Message Queues

  • Kafka
  • RabbitMQ
  • NATS

Search

  • Elasticsearch
  • Meilisearch

And More

  • InfluxDB
  • Neo4j
  • MinIO (S3-compatible storage)
  • Mailhog (email testing)

Each service comes pre-configured with sensible defaults. Start it, get the connection string, done.

Why Not Just Use Docker Compose?

You can. Docker Compose is free and works fine.

But if you:

  • Don't want to learn Docker
  • Don't want to maintain YAML files
  • Don't want to spend 30 minutes debugging port conflicts
  • Just want to click a button and write code

Then StackPod is for you.

Pricing

$49 one-time purchase. No subscription. Buy it once, use it forever.

We're not doing monthly pricing because you shouldn't have to pay rent for software that runs on your own computer.

Get StackPod

Available now at stackpod.app.

Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Download, install, start building.

If you run into issues or have questions, email me: webby@polynym.io

Why we built this: We run Polynym, where we build web apps for clients. Every project needs databases. We were tired of the Docker setup tax. So we built StackPod, and now we use it on every project. We think you'll find it useful too.