Gas Mask was the default Mac hosts app for years. Profiles, a simple UI, done.
It is no longer a safe default. Maintenance stalled, and modern macOS versions are a gamble. If you still rely on it, pick a maintained alternative before the next OS upgrade breaks your workflow.
What Gas Mask did well
- Profile-based hosts switching on macOS
- Simple mental model: enable a set, apply
- Free
What you still need from any replacement:
- Edit
/etc/hostswithout fighting permissions every time - Switch local / staging / cutover maps cleanly
- Flush DNS after apply (or you will think the app is broken)
- Prefer something that still gets updates
Alternatives worth considering
1. SwitchHosts (free, cross-platform)
Open source. Windows, macOS, Linux. Profiles, remote hosts sources, tray switching.
Best if you want free and you are fine flushing DNS yourself after changes.
Gap: no automatic DNS flush. After every switch, run the OS flush command or you keep seeing the old IP in the browser.
2. Locahl (paid, cross-platform)
Desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. One-time purchase.
Built around the same job as Gas Mask (visual hosts editing + environments) with automatic DNS flush and backups when you change entries.
Best if you want Gas Mask’s simplicity without the abandoned-app risk, and you work on more than one OS.
3. iHosts (macOS)
Native Mac feel. Visual editor. Fine if you only care about Apple machines and like a Mac-only UI.
Gap: not useful for a Windows/Linux teammate using the same workflow.
4. Terminal + profile files (free)
Keep ~/dev/hosts-profiles/local and staging, copy into /etc/hosts with sudo, flush DNS.
Best if you hate GUI apps and already script your machine.
Gap: easy to leave conflicting lines, no safety net unless you build backups yourself.
5. PowerToys Hosts File Editor (Windows only)
Part of Macrosoft PowerToys. Clean editor for the Windows hosts file.
Best if you are Windows-only and already run PowerToys.
Gap: not a Gas Mask replacement on Mac, and not a multi-environment manager by itself.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Platforms | Price | Maintained | Auto DNS flush |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Mask | macOS | Free | No | No |
| SwitchHosts | Win / Mac / Linux | Free | Yes | No |
| Locahl | Win / Mac / Linux | One-time | Yes | Yes |
| iHosts | macOS | Paid | Yes | Yes |
| Terminal profiles | All | Free | You | Manual |
| PowerToys Hosts | Windows | Free | Yes | Manual |
How to migrate off Gas Mask
- Uxport or copy your active hosts content while Gas Mask still opens
- Save a backup of
/etc/hosts - Install the replacement
- Recreate profiles:
local,staging, maybeblocklist - Apply one profile, flush DNS, verify with
ping/getentbefore trusting the browser - Uninstall Gas Mask after a week of clean use
Do not delete Gas Mask on day one if it is the only place your profiles live.
Which one should you pick?
- Stay free + cross-platform → SwitchHosts
- Want auto flush + backups + Win/Mac/Linux → Locahl
- Mac only, native UI → iHosts
- Happy in the shell → profile files + scripts
- Windows only → PowerToys Hosts File Editor
Gas Mask earned its reputation. It does not earn a place on a 2026 Mac setup anymore.
If you want a maintained Gas Mask-style workflow with automatic DNS flush on Windows, macOS, and Linux, try Locahl.
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