Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

HostsMan VS Windows Firewall Notifier

Compare HostsMan VS Windows Firewall Notifier and see what are their differences

HostsMan logo HostsMan

HostsMan is a freeware hosts file manager and editor. Built-in hosts file updater

Windows Firewall Notifier logo Windows Firewall Notifier

Windows Firewall Notifier (WFN) extends the default Windows embedded firewall behavior, allowing to...
  • HostsMan Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-13
  • Windows Firewall Notifier Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-24

HostsMan features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    HostsMan provides an intuitive and straightforward user interface, making it easy for users to manage and edit their hosts file without needing extensive technical skills.
  • Backup and Restore
    The software offers automatic backup and restore functions, ensuring that users can easily revert to previous versions of their hosts file if something goes wrong.
  • Integrated Update Feature
    HostsMan includes an integrated update feature that allows users to download and apply the latest hosts file updates from various sources within the application.
  • Ad and Malware Blocking
    By using updated hosts files, HostsMan can help block ads and malware, enhancing browsers' speed and security.
  • Free to Use
    HostsMan is available for free, making it accessible for users who need a budget-friendly solution for managing their hosts file.

Possible disadvantages of HostsMan

  • Limited Platform Support
    HostsMan is primarily designed for Windows operating systems, which limits its usage for users on macOS or Linux platforms.
  • Requires Manual Updates
    While it provides an update feature, users still need to manually trigger checks and apply updates, which can be cumbersome for some.
  • Potential System Instability
    Incorrect modifications in the hosts file can lead to system instability or render certain websites inaccessible, particularly for users unfamiliar with networking settings.
  • Outdated Design
    The application design and interface may appear outdated compared to more modern software, potentially affecting user experience.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    HostsMan lacks some advanced features found in other network management tools, which may limit its usefulness for power users with complex needs.

Windows Firewall Notifier features and specs

  • Enhanced Control
    Windows Firewall Notifier provides users with real-time notifications and alerts whenever an application attempts to access the network, allowing for granular control over outbound connection attempts.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tool offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that simplifies the process of managing firewall rules and understanding network requests made by applications.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Windows Firewall Notifier allows users to inspect, modify, and customize the software to better suit their personal security needs.
  • Improved Security
    By providing visibility into outbound connections, Windows Firewall Notifier helps to identify and block potentially malicious or unwanted applications from sending data over the network.

Possible disadvantages of Windows Firewall Notifier

  • Initial Configuration
    Setting up Windows Firewall Notifier might be challenging for non-technical users due to its manual configuration requirements, leading to possible frustration or misconfiguration.
  • Potential Overhead
    The constant notifications for every outbound connection attempt can become overwhelming, especially for systems with many active processes, leading to notification fatigue.
  • Limited Support
    As a community-driven open-source project, Windows Firewall Notifier may lack dedicated support and regular updates, which could affect long-term reliability.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There might be compatibility issues with certain Windows updates or specific configurations, which can lead to unexpected behavior or conflicts with existing firewall settings.

HostsMan videos

Groupy + HostsMan

More videos:

  • Review - Hostsman Host file Manager

Windows Firewall Notifier videos

How to Install and Configure Windows Firewall Notifier

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to HostsMan and Windows Firewall Notifier)
Monitoring Tools
50 50%
50% 50
Cloud Computing
100 100%
0% 0
Firewall
0 0%
100% 100
Network Monitoring
55 55%
45% 45

User comments

Share your experience with using HostsMan and Windows Firewall Notifier. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

What are some alternatives?

When comparing HostsMan and Windows Firewall Notifier, you can also consider the following products

Gas Mask - Gas Mask is simple hosts file manager for Mac OS X.

TinyWall - Lightweight and non-intrusive firewall

BlueLife Hosts Editor - BlueLifeHosts editor is a Portable freeware application for editing windows Hosts file ,(easily add/delete , Block , Update domain names)

simplewall - Simple tool to configure Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) which can configure network activity on...

SwitchHosts - Free and open source hosts management & switching app

GlassWire - Visualize network activity in detail, get notified when new apps access the network, look out for...