6 best Connectify alternatives to create a WiFi Hotspot

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Key notes

  • This guide provides you with an unbiased and objective comparison between software similar to Connectify Hotspot.
  • We will compare the features and capabilities of Mhotspot, Marify, MyPublicWiFi, and more.
  • For more useful internet or network information, check out our detailed Internet & Network Hub.
  • To ensure you're always ready to tackle issues, consider bookmarking our WiFi Hotspot section.
Connectify alternatives
Connectify needs no introduction, and if you are reading this article, you are most likely to have used it before. Apart from the core virtual hotspot functionality, Connectify also offers file sharing, bridge, dispatch, and ad-blocking features on the client device. Connectify is a premium virtual hotspot software that means to be able to use all the goodies offered by the software; you must purchase the license. While there is a free lite version of the same, it is severely limited in terms of features. Some people may simply want software that allows them to create a virtual hotspot and share the internet with other devices without the complexity of navigating through a cluttered interface for an affordable price tag or free if that is possible. This is where the Connectify alternative to create a WiFi hotspot comes into play. These alternatives offer a much cleaner user interface with limited features for a reasonable price. In this article, we have listed the best Connectify alternatives that will help you replace Connectify without making any major compromises.

Top Connectify alternatives to create a WiFi Hotspot

MyPublicWiFi

Connectify alternatives

MyPublicWiFi is a light-weight Windows utility that allows you to turn your computer into a WiFI access point or hotspot. It comes with additional features like firewall, URL tracking, and ad-blocker to protect the user.

MyPublicWiFi supports both the Hosted Network and WiFi Director for Windows 10, making it compatible with even older systems. The tool can be used for Internet Connection Sharing, in Router Mode with DHCP and NAT server protocol, Network Bridging Mode, and WLAN Repeater Mode. You can also configure the tool to disable internet sharing.

As discussed earlier, MyPublicWiFi comes with a built-in firewall that can be used to restrict user access to a specific server. In addition, it also features an Ad-blocker that turns your PC into an AdBlock router to save internet bandwidth as well as help you restrict user access to social media.

MyPublicWiFi is an excellent freeware for creating a WiFi hotspot on your Windows system as long as you don’t mind the legacy UI.

Get MyPublicWiFi

Maryfi

Connectify alternatives

With Maryfi, you can share the internet with your family and friends and even co-workers, extend the range of your home router, and even share files without an active internet connection. Maryfi is a freeware that allows you to create a quick hotspot and share the internet from your windows computer.

Maryfi supports devices like your wireless printers and even Eye-Fi cards that are bound to a specific network without any issues and additional configuration required. Similar to MyPublicWiFi, Maryfi can also be used as a range extender or repeater for your wireless router to extend the range.

Maryfi is developed for Windows 7; however, the tool works completely fine on other versions of Windows, including Windows 10.

Get Maryfi

mHotspot

Connectify alternatives

mHotspot is yet another free WiFi hotspot utility that can be installed on Windows 7, 8, and 10 running systems and turn these computers into a virtual WiFi router. The app allows the user to share the internet from LAN, Ethernet,  Data-Card, 3G/4G, and even WiFi connection.

mHotspot is lighter than Maryfi at just 400KB, but be careful of the optional bloatware that comes with the software. Make sure to select custom installation and decline the optional offer and uncheck the installation of third-party security software that the tool recommends you to install.

Using the software is easy. After the installation, you can access it from the system tray. To create a hotspot, enter a name and a password and click on Start Hotspot. You can select the internet source to share if you have multiple sources. The tool doesn’t offer any advanced features and is ideal for anyone looking for just a hotspot utility to replace Connectify.

Get mHotspot

Virtual Router Plus

Connectify alternatives

Virtual Router Plus allows you to wirelessly share internet connection from multiple sources with your other WiFi-enabled devices. The devices are connected to a virtual router similar to any other access point with WPA2 security protocol.

The tool is easy to use and works with all the newer versions of Windows OS. After the installation, enter a network name (SSID) and the password. Select the shared internet connection source and click on Start Virtual Router Pulse.

Get Virtual Router Plus

Thinix WiFi Hotspot

Connectify alternatives

If you are looking for an alternative that is as good as Connectify but without the hefty price tag, check out Thinix WiFi Hotspot. Thinix WiFi Hotspot makes it possible to share a computer’s internet connection with other devices by turning your system into a hotspot.

Thinix WiFi Hotspot comes with features like Auto-Start Hotspot, multi-language support, WPA2 encryption, sharing via multiple internet sources, and the ability to save multiple profiles.

While the Thinix WiFi Hotspot comes with loads of features, it is a premium utility that starts at $12.95 US for 1 PC license. However, you can try the software for 30 days before making a purchase to see if it meets your requirement.

Get Thinix WiFi Hotspot

Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot

Connectify alternatives

If you don’t want to install a third-party hotspot software, your Windows 10 system comes with a built-in mobile hotspot feature as well.  While the native mobile hotspot does not offer advanced features like file sharing and creating shared libraries, it allows you to create a functional WiFi hotspot quickly.

  1. Click on Start and go to Settings.
  2. Select Network and Internet.
  3. From the left pane, open the Mobile Hotspot tab.
  4. Toggle the switch to Turn On/Off the hotspot.
  5. You can edit the network name and password by clicking the Edit button.

What is a better alternative to Connectify?

Connectify is undoubtedly one of the best WiFi hotspot utility available, and the price tag can be justified if you can make use of all the features provided by Connectify. That said, not everyone wants a WiFi hotspot tool with advanced features.


The Connectify alternatives listed in this article offer the WiFi hotspot feature along with some advanced features for less or even free most of the time.

Go through all the WiFi hotspot utilities and choose the one that meets your requirements. Do let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below.


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