A new open-source tool called Go Hosts offers a lightweight alternative to SwitchHosts for managing the hosts file on Windows and macOS. Developed in Go with the fyne GUI toolkit, it prioritizes a small binary size and cross-platform compilation. Its creator built it as a response to SwitchHosts' larger Electron base, seeking a more flexible, compact utility for developers.

The tool provides graphical management for hosts rules, allowing users to add, delete, or modify entries. Key features include PING and TCP testing to identify the fastest IP addresses for a given domain, which can help accelerate web access. It also supports custom command buttons via YAML configuration, enabling integration with system tools like DNS flush or registry editor.

Go Hosts is licensed under Apache-2.0 and available on GitHub for download and source review. The developer notes limited support for older macOS versions and provides instructions for resolving potential permission issues or OpenGL driver conflicts on Windows. This project highlights the ongoing developer preference for minimalist, native-compiled tools over larger framework-based applications.