Developers who tether from their iPhone know the pain of accidentally burning through a monthly data cap. macOS Activity Monitor shows total bandwidth but can't separate hotspot usage from home WiFi. Existing tools like TripMode offer complex blocking features, while Bandwidth+ lacks connection awareness, leaving a gap for users who simply want clear data tracking on limited connections.

Frustrated by this gap, a developer built HotspotPeek, a lightweight menu bar app that specifically monitors expensive network connections. Using Apple's NWPathMonitor framework, it detects when you're on a hotspot and tracks data per session and per month. The app supports multiple profiles for different devices and issues alerts before you hit your carrier limit, solving the core problem without unnecessary complexity.

Built with SwiftUI and AppKit, HotspotPeek uses CoreWLAN for automatic SSID detection to switch profiles. This is part of the developer's 'Peek' series, which includes utilities for VPN status, WiFi signal strength, and battery health. Priced as a $4.99 one-time purchase on the Mac App Store, it offers a subscription-free alternative to heavier network tools.