Virtual Router Plus vs HostedNetworkStarter

Struggling to choose between Virtual Router Plus and HostedNetworkStarter? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Virtual Router Plus is a Network & Admin solution with tags like router, networking, wifi, firewall, nat, dhcp, dns.

It boasts features such as Network address translation, DHCP server, DNS proxy, WiFi access point, Bandwidth control, Port forwarding, Load balancing, VPN server, Access control and pros including Free and open source, Easy to set up and use, Provides full routing functionality, Can turn old PCs into routers, Good for home and small office networks.

On the other hand, HostedNetworkStarter is a Network & Admin product tagged with wifi, hotspot, network, utility.

Its standout features include Allows hosting a WiFi hotspot on Windows without additional software, Provides a simple interface to start, stop and configure a hosted network, Works on Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11, No installation required - it is a portable executable, Supports setting SSID, password, channel for hosted network, Can be run with command line options for automation, and it shines with pros like Easy to use, No installation needed, Lightweight and fast, Free and open source.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Virtual Router Plus

Virtual Router Plus

Virtual Router Plus is a free, open source software that allows users to turn any Windows PC into a full-featured router for home and small office networks. It provides features like network address translation, DHCP server, DNS proxy and filtering, WiFi access point, bandwidth control, and more.

Categories:
router networking wifi firewall nat dhcp dns

Virtual Router Plus Features

  1. Network address translation
  2. DHCP server
  3. DNS proxy
  4. WiFi access point
  5. Bandwidth control
  6. Port forwarding
  7. Load balancing
  8. VPN server
  9. Access control

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Easy to set up and use

Provides full routing functionality

Can turn old PCs into routers

Good for home and small office networks

Cons

Lacks some advanced features of commercial routers

GUI could be more intuitive

Documentation could be improved


HostedNetworkStarter

HostedNetworkStarter

HostedNetworkStarter is a small utility that allows you to easily host a WiFi hotspot on your Windows computer without additional software. It provides a simple interface to start, stop, and configure a hosted network.

Categories:
wifi hotspot network utility

HostedNetworkStarter Features

  1. Allows hosting a WiFi hotspot on Windows without additional software
  2. Provides a simple interface to start, stop and configure a hosted network
  3. Works on Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11
  4. No installation required - it is a portable executable
  5. Supports setting SSID, password, channel for hosted network
  6. Can be run with command line options for automation

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Easy to use

No installation needed

Lightweight and fast

Free and open source

Cons

Limited configuration options compared to full hotspot software

Requires Windows 7 or later

No central management features