Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

Betanoob reviewed v4.0.88 Beta 9 on Sep 12, 2012

Ignore the clueless. Great app!

OldNick reviewed v4.0.86 Beta 7 on Aug 6, 2012

seems too geeky for the casual user

HeilNizar reviewed v4.0.86 Beta 7 on Jul 17, 2012

-Needs to be portable, where it writes to no where but that hosts file.
-Auto upgrade to new versions.
-Command-line support.
-Less child windows, whats wrong with tabs?!

Good luck

JeremyP reviewed v4.0.86 Beta 7 on Jul 16, 2012

Crashes on Save.

DKDude reviewed v4.0.84 Beta 5 on Apr 16, 2012

Love this program, keep up the good work.

rloureiro reviewed v4.0.84 Beta 5 on Apr 13, 2012

I'm the developer of HostsMan.

@HeilNizar:
1: You're right. As a developer, I have a lot to learn.

2. Nowhere in the official site (abelhadigital.com) is mentioned that HostsMan is portable. Some sites decided to label the non-installer version portable. Why they do this, I don't know. You have to ask them. I haven't submitted my software to any site. If my software is featured somewhere, it's because they decided to add it to their sites.

3. This version is in beta stage for a couple of reasons: a) there are features missing; b) a lot of stuff is untested.

4. The bug you mention will be fixed in the next beta, but please realize that I'm not a mind reader. The best way to let me now about a bug is to either report it in the official forum or send me an email. I'm here now because someone else brought this to my attention.

5. I merely develop free software to offer alternatives to existing solutions and also to learn from it. You're more than welcome to develop your own.

HeilNizar reviewed v4.0.84 Beta 5 on Apr 12, 2012

You look like a noob developer..
-Portable and AppData don't mix, portable means write to no where but your app folder.
-After reminding you twice that you need to fix the download size status control, you finally fixed its Y and not X on resize.

I guess I will have to submit my own HostsManager app.

HeilNizar reviewed v4.0.81 Beta 2 on Feb 25, 2012

You don't seem to get it, let me help you some more..
http://img196.imageshack...g196/7862/captureyu.png

Sativarg reviewed v4.0.80 Beta1 on Feb 21, 2012

From: rloureiro Re: HostsMan V4.0.80 B1: Cannot download/install HpHosts Fi

I've just finished fixing this bug.

Just want to let you know that this is a UI problem. HostsMan does download updates from hpHosts and hpHosts partial, but fails to report the download progress correctly.

I expect to release Beta2 soon.

Once again, thanks for reporting this bug.

HeilNizar reviewed v4.0.80 Beta1 on Feb 20, 2012

This one is not working, updates failed etc, I can imagine its beta.
Also I noticed that you still didn't fix the position of download size control when GUI gets resized, it doesn't even start in the right position.

poisonu reviewed v3.2.73 on Jul 23, 2010

SUPERB !!

purell reviewed v3.2.71 Beta 7 on Jan 9, 2010

An essential program.

Aidans.Granny reviewed v3.2.71 Beta 7 on Nov 5, 2009

Fantastic app! Love it! TY very much!

anomoly reviewed v3.2.71 Beta 7 on Jul 7, 2009

What's wrong with notepad? Hmm, It can't disable or reenable your dns service, It won't update your host file/s, It doesn't have an exclusion list feature, It can't resolve host names. As well hostsman is portable so you can use it without ever installing & the exe is compressable. It also includes http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.zip by default.
I have sometimes needed to disable certain hosts in order to view various picture url's.

Diam0nd reviewed v3.2.70 Beta 6 on Oct 30, 2008

Very slick app (gui-wise), that does exactly what it says it does.

yokozuna: Thanks for your answer, man! :D

Undesired Username reviewed v3.2.69 Beta 5 on Sep 29, 2008

What's wrong with Notepad? Well, I thought it was obvious, but HostsMan makes life easier. First of all, and obviously, it makes updating the hosts file easier. This is especially true for people who don't simply use an entire third-party hosts file as-is, but use a customized file instead. Why would you want to visit a web site and manually download a ZIP archive, then extract it, and all that? And if you have a customized hosts file, you have to copy/paste... Why, just why?

You can add whitelist items, so when you update the list, you don't have to manually remove lines that point to domains you don't want blocked. Why would you want to use a text editor for all of this? Using Notepad is like shooting elephants with a BB-gun.

ninjeratu reviewed v3.2.69 Beta 5 on Sep 29, 2008

What's wrong with notepad?
The hosts file is a textfile and this program is like shooting mosquitos with a bazooka. Still getting 2/5 because it works.

Get a nice site blocking hosts file ( http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt for example) and you're set to go.

Problem with large hosts files is that it's stored in RAM at startup and that Windows always will query the file when doing DNS lookups (even when not browsing).
This can be counter productive if you only want to block ads and phishing sites in IE/Firefox. You're much better off getting AdMuncher or a plugin for Firefox. Seriously.

yokozuna reviewed v3.2.61 Beta 1 on May 7, 2008

Very good program!

@Diam0nd

Hosts file filtering is something what has always been present in UNIX machines. It filters machines with certain IP addresses - can be parental, spyware, ad protection - or whatever else. Put simply, the machines are not accessible from your computer and vice versa. You have to remember though that you cannot program certain protocols in hosts file so you block them for good independently what is transmitted from/to the addresses.

DKDude reviewed v3.2.61 Beta 1 on May 6, 2008

This app. ROCKS, thanks for a great program.

Diam0nd reviewed v3.2.61 Beta 1 on May 6, 2008

What exactly does this do? Is this really an ad blocker?

anomoly reviewed v3.1.55 on Dec 26, 2007

another portable ap that insists on writing one file (the ini) to your ap data folder which cripples it's portability.
BISS's is better

Point Zero reviewed v3.1.54 RC2 on Dec 25, 2007

One fine keeper, only negative point is the HPHosts list, which is way too aggressive, but that's not this author's fault.

anomoly reviewed v3.1.54 RC2 on Dec 22, 2007

Only issue I have is that it forces the ini file to the ap data folder. Otherwise it would be truly portable. Please fix this

pforbes reviewed v3.1.54 RC2 on Dec 21, 2007

Excellent. IMO the best.

Flemens reviewed v3.1.52 Beta 4 on Dec 3, 2007

This is the best adblocker there is. It blocks the ads regardless of which browser you use (Even opera) without slowing down anything.
I´ve been using adblock plus for Firefox for years, then I tried Hostsman and I noticed increased speed when surfing.
I only use the adblock hostsfile, but I guess it is good for preventing other bad sites than adservers too.

Diam0nd reviewed v3.1.51 Beta 3 on Nov 28, 2007

Great stuff! What exactly does one need it for again?

anomoly reviewed v3.1.49 Beta on Oct 21, 2007

Amazingly after adding bluetack's list
http://bluetack.co.uk/bims/blacklists/HOSTS.zip
it found no dupes. Prefer bluetack's mgr over this but this has greater control over list sources and works well.

Nikkie reviewed v3.1.49 Beta on Oct 16, 2007

It really saved me a few times now.On a few pc's the host file got corrupt and this was the quickest way for me to edit and even add some good things to it.

digitalking reviewed v3.1.49 Beta on Sep 13, 2007

Easy to use program. Comes with its own HOSTS server, so your browser does not get stuck on bad pages. Also has an option to remove all of the description information on each address line, found in most HOSTS files downloaded from websites. This reduces the size dramatically.

comeoffit reviewed v3.0.42 on Jun 21, 2007

tickleonthetum is correct. I've had a hosts file with many tens of thousands of entries, and it doesn't impact performance at all, since I have the DNS Client service disabled. You should have that service disabled anyway, since it is a security risk. The impact of the DNS Client service is plainly mentioned in the HostsMan documentation, and in the forum.

The self-appointed experts are wrong again!

Besides, HostsMan isn't just for maintaining huge lists of malware sites. It's a hosts file editor, and is very helpful for general editing as well.

Regarding "blocking every single malware site"... It's not possible. But blocking many of them can help. Does your AV block every single bit of malware in existence? No, but I bet you still use one. Every little bit can help. Another, somewhat similar method is to use Firekeeper (firekeeper.mozdev.org) with Firefox.

tickleonthetum reviewed v3.0.42 on Jun 21, 2007

A large hosts file only slows down your machine if you have DNS Client enabled in services. If you switch that off, the speed improves dramatically with large hosts files. This program is a great hosts manager and I've been using it for about 2-3 years with no problems.

Canuckistani reviewed v3.0.42 on Jun 21, 2007

mjm01010101 is exactly right. An ad blocking utility or an extension such as adblock plus is a far more practical solution. Spybot S&D provides a minimal HOSTS list which includes the very worst offenders and that is as far as one should go so as not to degrade performance.

anomoly reviewed v3.0.42 on Jun 21, 2007

I have only 3 entries atm. I have used this and to be honest B.I.S.S. Hosts Mgr is a 1000% better interface and I can run it as a standalone ap, ie. portable.

mjm01010101 reviewed v3.0.42 on Jun 20, 2007

The hosts file should not be used as a preventative measure for blocking sites. There are millions of sites at this very moment with malicious code. Blocking every one of them is impractical. Having a hosts file with thousands of entries will dramatically slow your boot times, as all those hosts must be loaded into memory before windows finishes starting up.

vcorvinus reviewed v3.0.0.25 Beta 1 on Feb 4, 2007

There are several applications that perform similar functions, but HostsMan is my favorite. It's just plain easy to use, and works very well, without adding 300 buttons all over the place.

You nutballs need to stop blaming HostsMan for your problems. HostsMan doesn't change your HOSTS file willy-nilly; it imports the preconfigured HOSTS file additions that YOU configure it to (e.g. hpHosts, MPVS, etc.).

And what's more, HostsMan allows you to add exclusions, so if you find a web site you visit has been added to one of the HOSTS lists for some idiotic non-reason (as so often happens--take slysoft.com and my.myway.com as just a couple examples), you can exclude it, keep using the same HOSTS list, and never have to worry about it being blocked again.

Because of the automated update and exclusion features, Notepad is no substitute for HostsMan. Yes, you can do it all manually, but the point of HostsMan is to make it easier. And it does. If you don't use HOSTS lists at all, then this whole software genre is inapplicable to you.

The new HostsServer is nice, too. It prevents ugly, distracting error messages from appearing in your browser, and replaces them with (configurable) text and/or an image.

Finally, HostsMan is not adware, spyware, or any kind of malware. Stop rating software poorly because of your own lack of savvy.

dalmiroy2k reviewed v3.0.0.25 Beta 1 on Aug 31, 2006

It was good until it blocked http://www.lik-sang.com.
I don't know why given that it's only an Import game store.

benyahuda reviewed v3.0.0.25 Beta 1 on Aug 23, 2006

Hobo
What you need to do is set your adware/spyware applications to skip your modified HOSTS file.

What happens is all those ad/spy addresses are added to your HOSTS file which redirects to your browser to seek the nasty offender (like ad.doubleclick.net) to IP address 127.0.0.1 which is your localhost address.

When you go to a web page that has adds on it a fair number of them will have an address like "ad.doubleclick.net" Windows will compare the asked for address to the HOSTS file and if your HOSTS file contains "127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net" that DNS server request will be handled locally resulting in no ad being served up by your browser. This usually speeds up browsing and cuts down on cookies and sometimes even outright spying.

The downside to this is a lot of anti-virus applications and apps like SpyBot and Ad-Aware will see these addresses in your HOSTS and flag them as malware. I just flag my various HOSTS in my antispy/ad/virus programs ignore lists and that usually takes care of the problem.

stopbuggingme reviewed v3.0.0.25 Beta 1 on Aug 22, 2006

Brillant program, been using Ver 2.1 for ages,
but why remove the add blocking ?
- changed: 'Block Adverts' removed from update list;

The MAZZTer reviewed v3.0.0.25 Beta 1 on Aug 22, 2006

Hobo: Some malware modifies the HOSTS file in order to trick the user into sending information somewhere other than the intended server.

This program also modifies the HOSTS file, and anti-malware programs may see that as a sign of malware.

This program looks nice, but I have no need for it as I rarely modify my HOSTS file anyways. If I do, notepad is more than sufficient for me.

CyberHobo reviewed v2.1 on Sep 22, 2005

I just don't know... HostsMan put both Ad-aware and Spybot Search and Destroy into working overtime. This happened after I intalled and ran an update. Am I missing something hear? Was there something wrong with the file's MD5 on the download?

englishmen reviewed v2.0.1 on Aug 31, 2005

This is a brilliant application i use all available host file and integrate them with each other and it does such a good job of blocking ads i have got rid of adblock extension for Firefox, highly recommended.

Tokar reviewed v2.0.1 on Jul 11, 2005

Didnt expect an update so fast.

I like the update to save the hosts file in all caps as it should be saved...not that it didnt work in all lower-case...

Tokar reviewed v2.0 on Jul 5, 2005

Best HOSTS manager out there...
Its the best because it provides the best interface and the software development is alive and well.
All the other ones ive tried are either have stagnant development or a terrible interface...or dont provide the user the ability to update the HOSTS from webservers like HostsMan does.

I didnt think this would ever come out of Beta stage...seeing as how the beta was released in April...i think April 23 to be exact.

Im still trying to get the HTTP server log to work...no hits yet. Im sure it works though...nice addition.

Its great that hphosts was added. I do warn those who attempt to use hphosts file...its over 40,000 entries. Fooling around with it in the HostsMan editor, let alone WordPad or Notepad, its really as fast as say sub-10000 entries (as MVPS provides).

Highly recommended!

siliconman01 reviewed v2.0 Beta on Jul 4, 2005

I 1000% agree that HOSTSMAN is the best tool for managing and security protection through the HOSTS files.

Spyware programs such as Spy Sweeper, CounterSpy and others are not currently capable of adequately managing and protecting highly utilized HOSTS files.

bellgamin reviewed v2.0 Beta on May 7, 2005

Use of the Hosts file is STILL considered a valuable protective tool by major security websites such as Wilders, DSLR, Gladiator, Mickey the Man, Bluetack, and many others.

Highly effective Hosts files of ~1MB or less are readily available, & frequently updated from sites such as MVPS, Bluetack, HPhosts & BlockAdverts.

Use of Hosts file not only protects against tracking & ads, it also helps against hi-jacking, trojans, & unauthorized re-directs.

HostMan is one of the absolutely BEST Host file managers that now exists. It not only backs-up your file, but also enable ready updates from 2 of the best sources on the net.

[deXter] reviewed v2.0 Beta on May 5, 2005

Unfortunately, this program came out WAY too late. Looks like the author(s) only recently realised that you could do stuff with the HOSTS file..

I stopped using the HOSTS file as its very inefficient; the practice of maintaing a blacklist of servers itself is inefficient, as it only means that ultimately your HOSTS file will become so large that it will actually slow down your connection, and it will become difficult to maintain it- what with so many popular sites providing blocking lists.

I stopped using the HOSTS file when it exceeded 5 MB, and it was also causing problems with some particular net setups on some comps. It was getting difficult to manage, update and maintain it.

That was the time I switched to Ad Muncher, btw :)

Tokar reviewed v2.0 Beta on May 5, 2005

This is the best HOSTS manager available.

Sure, there arent many of these types of programs that are made, but HOSTSman beats all of the ones available.

Its free.
It has the best interface among all of them, offering a Windows XP feel and look.
It works with Windows XP styles.
It even gives users the ability to update with 2 popular HOSTS files on the web, MVPS (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm) and Mike's HOSTS (http://www.everythingisnt.com/hosts.html). IN the future, I hope the developer implements the ability to automatically update the HOSTS with hostfile.mine.nu's HOSTS file (http://hostsfile.mine.nu/downloads/), which has over 40,000 entries.

What is nice, that if you have a HOSTS file yyou wish to add into your current HOSTS file, you can import it, with the option of merging it with the current HOSTS. So this is how I currently add hostsfile.mine.nu's file.

What is REALLY nice is that it has dupechecking implemented with the importing process. Sure, the program has the dupecheck option in one of its menus, but if all you do is import updates on a regular basis, you will never use it since the program dupechecks on file import.

The HOSTS editor is really something to marvel at. No more having to open the HOSTS file in Notepad to edit, requiring you to comment stuff. The HOSTS editor with the program is TOP-NOTCH. All you do is find an entry using the REALLY NEAT find tool, and uncheck the box (or check it, if you are looking to enable it). I love it.

Whats also neat is that if you wish to quickly test your internet WITHOUT the hosts file, all you do is click the big green H in the main window to quickly disable the HOSTS file. Click it again to enable it. No more having to rename the file to disable it. Red H = disabled, Green H = enabled. It also implements these colored H's into the system tray...VERY nice. Theres also an option to make the CLOSE button minimize to the tray.

There is also a neat tool to lock your hosts, to make it read only on the fly.

There are a few other tools in the menus, like open the HOSTS-containing folder in explorer or a command window (c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc), and count entries.

Theres one other neat tool to see, without seaching the HOSTS file, if your HOSTS file is resolving a HOST to the localhost. Just enter in the host and see what the program returns the resolved IP to. Very nice.

This is one of those tools like SpywareBlaster. Its doesnt REMOVE spyware, but it darn sure helps to prevent it.

Did I mention its free????