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SwitchHosts
Switch between host file configurations on macOS, Linux, and Windows with SwitchHosts.
About SwitchHosts
SwitchHosts is an open source app for managing and switching between hosts file configurations on macOS, Linux, and Windows. It can manage system, local, remote, group, and folder hosts entries, and it is available from the main window or the system tray. The source describes it as free software released under the Apache License. It is built with Tauri, React, Jotai, and Mantine.
Data is stored in a folder in the user's home directory, so a full manual backup means copying that folder. The in-app export creates a hosts data backup JSON, but it does not include preferences or histories. The source does not describe a cloud service or data sharing.
Key features
- Manage system, local, remote, group, and folder hosts entries
- Switch hosts quickly from the main window or system tray
- Syntax highlighting for hosts files
- Find and replace across hosts entries
- Refresh remote hosts manually, on a schedule, or at startup
- Import and export hosts data, including backups from a URL
Best for: Developers and technical users who switch between different hosts file configurations on macOS, Linux, or Windows.
Good for
- Free and open source software released under the Apache License
- Data is stored in local files that can be copied for a manual backup
- Supports macOS, Linux, and Windows
Watch out for
- The in-app export does not include preferences or histories
- Building from source requires Node.js 24 LTS and Rust 1.90 or later
SwitchHosts at a glance
- Website
- github.com/oldj/SwitchHosts
- Category
- Development › Network Tools
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Linux, macOS, Windows
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Good for
- Developers
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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SwitchHosts FAQ
Where does SwitchHosts store its data?
It stores data in ~/.SwitchHosts, or in a .SwitchHosts folder under the current user's home path on Windows.
Does the in-app export include all settings?
No. The in-app export creates a hosts data backup JSON that does not include preferences or histories. For a complete manual backup, copy the whole ~/.SwitchHosts folder.
How can SwitchHosts be installed?
The built version can be downloaded from the GitHub release page or installed with the Chocolatey package manager using the command choco install switchhosts. The source code can also be built locally.
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