PortKiller
PortKiller is a macOS menu bar utility for developers to find and stop processes that are holding open local network ports.
What is PortKiller?
PortKiller is a native macOS utility that helps developers free up local ports blocked by running apps, servers, containers, or background services. It lives in the menu bar so you can quickly see which processes are listening on common development ports and stop them without using Terminal commands. Common use cases include resolving “address already in use” errors during web development, testing local services, and tracking down processes left behind by Docker or Homebrew-managed tools. The app can also show related project context for a process and notify you when monitored ports become active. PortKiller is designed for Mac development workflows where fast access to port and process controls is more convenient than manual command-line cleanup.
Key features
- List active processes that are listening on local development ports
- Stop a port-holding process from the menu bar with one click
- Detect Docker containers that are using monitored ports
- Identify common Homebrew services such as PostgreSQL, Redis, and MySQL
- Show project context for processes tied to local Git repositories
- Notify you when monitored ports start listening
- Monitor port ranges in real time with configurable settings
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Inspect caches, support files, containers, and login items before cleaning.
Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
PortKiller is a developer utility that inspects local network listeners and can terminate selected processes, which is normal for its purpose. Because it can stop active apps, servers, databases, or containers, ending the wrong process may interrupt your work or temporarily stop local services. Use it when you recognize the process or port you want to free, especially during development sessions.
Recommendation: Keep PortKiller if you regularly run local servers, databases, containers, or other development tools that compete for the same ports. If you rarely troubleshoot port conflicts, you can remove it without affecting macOS, though you may lose a quick menu bar shortcut for freeing blocked ports.
Common paths
/Applications/PortKiller.app
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