Locahl
Buy Locahl

Stop fighting /etc/hosts

The modern hosts file manager for Windows, macOS & Linux. Multilingual, actively maintained and built to save you time — edit entries, switch environments and flush DNS without the terminal.

Buy Locahl — $5.99Try demo
★★★★★ 4.9 · average rating·one-time · updates included·Windows · macOS · Linux
before · terminal⏱ ~4 min
Terminal — hosts
● live
~/etc $
after · locahl⏱ 6 s
Locahl — staging
● v1.2.0
devstagingprodstaging · active
127.0.0.1localhost# system
127.0.0.1app.staging.local# acme
0.0.0.0ads.tracking.example# blocked
10.0.0.4db.staging.local# db
192.168.1.10elasticsearch.local# search
2001:db8::1ipv6.dev.local# v6
+ 342 more entries
unsaved changes
01the friction

Why /etc/hosts slows people down

These are the little traps that make a simple edit feel like a mini-incident.

! EACCES
"Permission denied"

The classic. Everything is correct, except the part where you needed sudo.

! ENOCACHE
"Why isn't it working?!"

You debug. You double-check. Then you remember DNS cache exists.

! EFINDLINE
300 lines, 1 entry

You know it’s in there somewhere. The file disagrees.

02what is locahl

A polished desktop app for your hosts file— across every machine you own.

Edit entries, switch between environments, and keep everything organized in a modern, multilingual interface — with automatic backups, IPv6 validation and DNS flushing built in. No more sudo nano /etc/hosts.

03try it now

A live demo, right in your browser.

Play with a simulated version of Locahl. Add, toggle and apply entries — just like the real app, without installing a thing.

No real changes to your hosts file. Fake data only.
Locahl — demo
v1.2 · demo
Locahl
· 6 entries
StatusIPDomainCommentActions
127.0.0.1
app.dev.acme.local
Next.js front-end
127.0.0.1
api.dev.acme.local
Node backend
127.0.0.1
admin.dev.acme.local
Back-office
192.168.1.42
minio.dev.acme.local
Local S3 storage
127.0.0.1
mail.dev.acme.local
MailHog
127.0.0.1
ws.dev.acme.local
WebSockets
In sync
·Acme · dev · 4/6 active·Backup · just now
Like it? Get the full app.Buy Locahl — $5.99
04core workflow

The terminal complicates what should be instant.

sudo, permissions, manual validation, DNS to flush by hand — small frictions that pile up. Locahl keeps every change simple and predictable.

./without-locahl.sh
Command memorization

Remembering the right command, the right path, and the right permissions, every time.

DNS cache gotchas

Changes look correct, results look wrong… until you flush DNS.

Hidden syntax mistakes

A single typo can cause issues with no clear explanation.

Lost configurations

Without backups, one wrong edit can undo a carefully tuned setup.

Slow searching

Scrolling through long files to find one line you swear you added.

Onboarding friction

New teammates spend time aligning environments before they can start building.

./with-locahl.app
Create and maintain entries, comfortably

Manage hosts entries in a clean interface, with comments that keep context close to the line.

✓ 127.0.0.1 api.staging.local # acme
✓ 127.0.0.1 db.staging.local
· 0.0.0.0 ads.tracker.dev
Switch environments with one click

Move between dev/staging/prod setups without hand-editing or toggling blocks of lines.

devstagingprod·⌘ 2 to switch
Reorder by drag & drop

Keep entries tidy the way you want, no manual line surgery.

⋮⋮ 127.0.0.1 api.local
⋮⋮ 127.0.0.1 db.local ← dragging
⋮⋮ 10.0.0.4 cache.local
Instant Search & Smart Filtering

Find any domain or IP instantly, even in large hosts files. Filters keep everything readable.

⌕api.staging.local1 of 47
Quick File Access & Refresh

Refresh to pick up external changes, or open the file location directly from the app.

⟳ Refresh↗ Open file location/etc/hosts
Validation and safeguards

Built-in checks help prevent malformed entries before they become production-grade headaches.

✓ 2001:db8::1 ipv6.local // valid IPv6
✗ 999.0.0.1 broken.local // invalid IP
Automatic Backups Before Apply

A backup is created before every apply, so rollback is always available.

● hosts.2026-05-17_14-22.bak · 2 min ago
● hosts.2026-05-17_09-08.bak · 5 h ago
● hosts.2026-05-16_18-50.bak · 1 d ago
Bulk import from hosts text

Paste multiple hosts lines at once and create entries in seconds instead of repetitive manual edits.

DNS blocker alerts

Get warned when DNS tools may interfere, so you troubleshoot less and apply with confidence.

Browser cache cleanup

Configured browsers can be cleaned after apply to reduce stale resolution issues.

In-app update flow

Download, install, retry, and relaunch updates from the app without a manual install routine.

Everything tuned to keep you fast.

Everything around hosts edits is streamlined so routine tasks stay fast, safe, and predictable.

Locahl — command palette
⌘ K
⌕add a hosts entry5 actions
+Add a hosts entryN
⇄Switch to staging⌘ 2
↻Flush DNS cache⌘ ⇧ R
⤓Import from hosts text⌘ I
⏰Restore from backup…⌘ ⇧ B
↑ ↓ to navigate↵ exécuter · esc fermer
05who it's for

It adapts to you, not the other way around.

Whether you work solo or lead a team, Locahl fits the way you build.

Locahl — switch d'environnement
● staging · active
devstagingprod3 environments
10.0.0.4app.staging.local# acme
10.0.0.5api.staging.local# acme
10.0.0.6db.staging.local# acme
01
The Freelancer

Switch between client setups quickly, without turning hosts edits into a recurring chore.

Per-client environment in one tap.12+ clients
02
The Tech Lead

Onboard faster: import a shared configuration and start working with fewer “it works on my machine” moments.

Shared JSON across the team.3 → 30 min
03
The QA / Tester

Test local/staging/prod safely, with a clear view of what’s active at any time.

Active environment, always visible.Zero ambiguity
06vs free tools

Why pay when free tools exist? Because we don't ship the bare minimum.

Free alternatives edit your hosts file, and that's it. Locahl is the modern, multilingual, actively maintained option — with the details that save you time every single day.

Free tools
SwitchHosts · Gas Mask
Locahl
v1.2 · up to date
Interface
Often dated
Modern, polished, built for 2026
Updates
Often unmaintained
Regular, delivered in-app
Cross-platform
Varies by tool
Windows · macOS · Linux, same experience
Languages
English only
EN · FR · 中文 · 日本語
Time-savers
Basic manual editing
⌘K palette, bulk import, DNS flush, auto-backups
Support
Community, no guarantees
Dedicated email support

Comparison based on the most common free alternatives (June 2026).

07what people say

They left the terminal. No regrets.

4.9 / 5 — average rating
4h / week

“Locahl saves me 4+ hours every week. No more permission detours or manual edits. Managing 50+ local domains is finally predictable, and the ROI was immediate.”

David C.
Senior Frontend Developer
30 min / day

“The one-click DNS flush alone justifies the price. I used to forget the cache step and lose time debugging. Now it’s one click and done. 30+ minutes saved daily.”

Marcus J.
Full Stack Developer
12 devs

“Our 12-person team moved to Locahl. New developers now get a working local setup in minutes instead of hours, and support requests dropped noticeably.”

James R.
Engineering Manager
200+ entries

“I manage 200+ entries across client projects. Instant search and automatic backups prevented more than a few mishaps. Best $22.99 I’ve spent in a while. Paid for itself in two days.”

Emma W.
Freelance Web Developer
08pricing

One payment. No subscription.

A one-time purchase including updates, DNS tools, multi-environments, and automatic backups.

Solo LicenseMOST POPULAR

Ideal for individual developers.

$5.99once · lifetime
Buy for $5.99 — instant access
License for 1 device
Lifetime updates included
Windows, macOS and Linux
100% local — your data stays on your machine
Email support
See all features →
Right after payment
Instant confirmation email
Download links for Windows, macOS and Linux
Activation via your purchase email
Team License

For teams that want volume pricing, grouped billing, and more responsive onboarding support.

$17.99/ seat · 2+ seats
Everything included in Solo
Volume pricing from 2 seats
Grouped billing for the team
Licenses prepared for multiple machines
Setup and onboarding help
Priority email support

You deserve better than "sudo nano /etc/hosts"

Join the developers who stopped treating hosts edits like a mini-ritual. One purchase, a smoother workflow.

Buy Locahl — $5.99View features
09faq

Everything you need to know

Still unsure? .

10from the blog

From the blog

Guides and tutorials to master your hosts file and local development workflow.

View all articles
01
DNS

How to Flush DNS Cache (Windows, Mac, Linux & Chrome)

How to flush or clear the DNS cache on Windows, Mac, Linux and Chrome. Copy the exact command for your system, learn what flushing DNS does and whether it is safe.

June 23, 2026· 4 min read
Read article
02
localhost

Localhost Refused to Connect: How to Fix It

Fix "localhost refused to connect" (ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED) in Chrome, on Windows, Mac, XAMPP and VS Code: check the server, the port, IPv6 vs IPv4, hosts file and firewall.

June 23, 2026· 4 min read
Read article
03
hosts file

How to Reset the Hosts File to Default (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Reset and restore the hosts file to its default contents on Windows, macOS and Linux. Copy the exact default file, back up first, then flush DNS so the reset takes effect.

June 23, 2026· 4 min read
Read article