SwitchHosts

A cross-platform desktop app for managing several hosts file profiles and switching between them.

FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux
Official websitegithub.com

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About SwitchHosts

SwitchHosts lets you keep multiple versions of the system hosts file as named profiles and turn them on or off from one window. Profiles can also come from remote sources, which makes it usable for subscribing to hosts-based blocklists as well as for pointing domains at test servers.

It is a widely used open project with a long commit history, a Tauri-based desktop build and an Alfred workflow. It suits developers who switch environments often and anyone who blocks domains through the hosts file.

Strengths

  • Switch between hosts file setups in one click
  • Supports remote hosts lists such as blocklists
  • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
  • Large user base and active development

Limitations

  • Hosts files cannot block by wildcard or filter whole networks
  • Needs administrator rights to change the system hosts file

Details

Pricing
FreeFree, with source code published on GitHub.
License
Open source, license not stated
Developer
oldj
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
How it runs
Downloadable app
Account
Not required
Works offline
Yes
Best suited for
Developers switching between test environments and users blocking domains via the hosts file
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.

Alternatives to SwitchHosts

Compare all

Software that can replace SwitchHosts for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.

  • hBlock

    A POSIX shell script that builds a hosts file blocking ad, tracking and malware domains.

    FreeProprietaryLinuxCommand line

    hBlock is a POSIX shell script that builds a blocking hosts file from several sources, with no desktop interface or profile switching.

  • Maza

    A Bash script that blocks ads system-wide by filtering DNS through the hosts file or dnsmasq.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinuxCommand line

    Maza is a Bash script for macOS, Linux, BSD and WSL that blocks ads through the hosts file or dnsmasq, controlled from the command line.

  • Acrylic DNS Proxy

    A local caching DNS proxy for Windows that blocks unwanted domains with a custom hosts file.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    Acrylic DNS Proxy is a Windows-only caching proxy whose custom hosts file supports wildcards and regular expressions, configured through text files.

Similar software

Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.

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