Baidu WiFi Hotspot was the go-to Windows hotspot maker for years. It was free, in English, and turned a laptop into a Wi-Fi access point with two clicks. The download page on Baidu’s global site has been quietly removed, the client stopped receiving updates around 2019, and the version still floating on third-party download sites has known incompatibilities with the Wi-Fi drivers shipped with Windows 11. People searching for Baidu WiFi Hotspot alternatives want the same thing: a Windows app that shares an internet connection, ideally without ads and without shipping data to a Chinese analytics endpoint. Some also want features Baidu never had: hidden SSIDs, custom DNS, per-client bandwidth caps, and a real firewall view. We compared seven Windows tools that cover both ends of the spectrum.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | License | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connectify Hotspot | The polished commercial pick | Freemium | Wired-to-Wi-Fi bridge, ad blocker, custom DNS |
| MyPublicWiFi | Free, focused, no ads | Free | URL blocking and session logging out of the box |
| mHotspot | Minimalist replacement | Free | Small footprint, no signup |
| Virtual Router | Open-source classic | Free, open-source | The original open-source hotspot tool |
| HostedNetworkStarter | Zero install | Free | Single .exe, portable, driver-native |
| OSToto Hotspot | Frequent traveler | Free | Hotel Wi-Fi mode for captive portals |
| Windows Mobile Hotspot | Built-in and safe | Free | Ships with Windows, first-party |
Why people leave Baidu WiFi Hotspot
No more updates. The last real build was around 2019, and the Wi-Fi driver model in Windows 11 has moved on. The client fails to start the hosted network on many current laptops with no useful error message. Nobody at Baidu is fixing that.
Trust and telemetry. Baidu is a Chinese search company and the client shipped with analytics beacons. That was fine for a lot of users in the app’s peak years and is a real objection for some in 2026. Every alternative here is either a small independent developer or the Windows built-in.
Language and support. The English localization was partial. Baidu’s forum and support pages for the tool are in Chinese and mostly offline. Any troubleshooting past the “click share” step means guessing at what a translated menu option means.
No advanced controls. Baidu WiFi Hotspot could not set a custom DNS, could not block clients, and had no bandwidth cap. Connectify, MyPublicWiFi, and OSToto all add those.
The alternatives
Connectify Hotspot: the polished commercial pick
Connectify has been the paid Windows hotspot leader for over a decade. It shares any connection type, wired, Wi-Fi, cellular tether, or VPN, as a real access point. The free tier gets you a basic Wi-Fi share. The Pro upgrade unlocks 3G and 4G sharing, custom SSIDs including hiding, ad blocking, custom DNS, and a built-in firewall view.
Where it falls short: The free tier resets the SSID every session and shows an upgrade prompt on every launch. Pro is a paid annual subscription, not a one-time buy.
Pricing: Free with limits. Pro plan around 40 USD per year. Max plan (adds wired share) around 70 USD per year.
vs Baidu: Actively maintained. English-first. Real controls. Paid.
Migrating from Baidu: Install Connectify, close Baidu’s client, pick the upstream connection, set the SSID, click start.
Download: connectify.me
Bottom line: The right pick if you use the hotspot daily and want it to work every time.
MyPublicWiFi: free, focused, no ads
MyPublicWiFi is the closest free replacement in spirit. It turns a Windows machine into an access point, adds URL logging so you can see what devices did, and includes a URL block list to stop the guest network from opening specific sites. There is no upgrade prompt, no upsell, and no analytics.
Where it falls short: Requires the Windows Hosted Network feature, which some newer Wi-Fi drivers dropped support for. The UI is basic and not high-DPI aware. Session log fills quickly.
Pricing: Free for personal use. Business licensing available on request.
vs Baidu: Same “click and share” feel. Better on logging and blocking. Same driver-support concern.
Migrating from Baidu: Install, name the network, share.
Download: mypublicwifi.com
Bottom line: The default free pick when your Wi-Fi driver still supports the classic hosted network.
mHotspot: minimalist replacement
mHotspot is a small, single-purpose Windows utility that does exactly one thing: expose the current internet connection as a Wi-Fi hotspot. No account, no upgrade prompt, no telemetry pings. The whole app is a couple of megabytes.
Where it falls short: Development has slowed significantly since 2020. Support for the newer Wi-Fi Direct-only drivers is uneven. No custom DNS, no blocking, no logging.
Pricing: Free.
vs Baidu: Feature-for-feature roughly equal. Cleaner install.
Migrating from Baidu: Install, enter SSID and password, click start.
Download: mhotspot.com
Bottom line: The right pick when all you want is Baidu’s core feature and none of the surrounding weight.
Virtual Router: open-source classic
Virtual Router is the original open-source Windows hotspot tool. It wraps the built-in Hosted Network API into a plain UI, does not phone home, and ships as a signed installer. It has not seen a significant update in a long time, but it works everywhere Windows still exposes the older Wi-Fi network stack.
Where it falls short: On modern Wi-Fi drivers, especially Intel AX and MediaTek chipsets on Windows 11, the Hosted Network API is deprecated and Virtual Router fails silently. No workaround inside the app.
Pricing: Free and open-source.
vs Baidu: Same feature set, open-source, no analytics.
Migrating from Baidu: Install, set SSID and password, click start.
Download: github.com/Chocobozzz/Virtual-Router
Bottom line: Use it if your machine still supports the older Wi-Fi network API. Test first.
HostedNetworkStarter: zero install
HostedNetworkStarter is a NirSoft single-file utility that does the same job with no installer at all. It exposes every field of the underlying Hosted Network API as a form and lets you save the config. It is the smallest possible tool for the job, and NirSoft’s reputation for clean, adware-free binaries is deserved.
Where it falls short: Same Hosted Network dependency as Virtual Router; on new drivers it stops working. UI is a form dialog with no explanation of what any field means.
Pricing: Free.
vs Baidu: Lighter, portable, one .exe.
Migrating from Baidu: Fill the SSID and passphrase form, click start.
Download: nirsoft.net
Bottom line: The pick when you cannot install anything and just need to spin up a hotspot in a hurry.
OSToto Hotspot: frequent traveler
OSToto Hotspot (also known as 160WiFi in earlier releases) is aimed at travelers who want to share a hotel Wi-Fi login across a laptop and a phone without paying twice. It handles captive portals better than most, has a lightweight installer, and is genuinely free.
Where it falls short: Ad-supported. Development has slowed. The captive-portal handling is fragile against modern hotel authentication flows that use DNS interception.
Pricing: Free with ads.
vs Baidu: Same origin market, better maintained.
Migrating from Baidu: Install, click share, name the hotspot.
Download: ostoto.com
Bottom line: The right pick specifically for hotel-Wi-Fi sharing on a trip. Not the daily driver.
Windows Mobile Hotspot: built-in and safe
Windows 10 and 11 ship a Mobile Hotspot toggle in Settings that shares the current connection as a Wi-Fi access point. There is no install, no third-party code, and it uses whatever driver stack the built-in Wi-Fi adapter has. It supports up to eight clients and works on every modern laptop.
Where it falls short: No hidden SSID option. No custom DNS. No client-level controls. Some laptop OEMs disable it in enterprise images. Cannot share a Wi-Fi connection over Wi-Fi on all drivers.
Pricing: Free with Windows.
vs Baidu: First-party. Simpler. No third-party trust concern.
Migrating from Baidu: Open Settings, Network and Internet, Mobile hotspot. Flip the switch.
Download: Built into Windows. Nothing to download.
Bottom line: The right first thing to try. If it does what you need, stop looking.
How to choose
Try Windows Mobile Hotspot first. It costs nothing to check whether the built-in tool covers the case. If it does, no third-party install is worth the risk.
Pick MyPublicWiFi if the built-in tool cannot do the job and you want a free English-language replacement for Baidu with real logging and URL blocking on top.
Pick Connectify Hotspot if you use the hotspot every day, need to share a wired or tether upstream, and want ongoing support. It is the paid choice for a reason.
Pick OSToto Hotspot if the specific problem is hotel Wi-Fi that only lets one device sign in.
Pick HostedNetworkStarter if you want the smallest possible tool and your Wi-Fi driver still supports the Hosted Network API.
Stay on Baidu WiFi Hotspot only if your setup is old and you have verified the client still works with your drivers. Do not install a fresh copy on a new laptop in 2026.
FAQ
Is Baidu WiFi Hotspot still available?
The direct download from Baidu’s global site has been taken down. Third-party download mirrors still host the last known build. It runs on some Windows 10 machines and fails on many Windows 11 laptops with Intel AX-series Wi-Fi chipsets.
Is Windows 11’s built-in mobile hotspot any good?
Yes, for most cases. It shares the current connection as a Wi-Fi access point with up to eight clients, uses the OEM Wi-Fi driver directly, and needs no third-party software. It does not let you hide the SSID or set custom DNS.
Can I share my laptop’s Wi-Fi connection as another Wi-Fi hotspot?
On most modern drivers, yes, using either the built-in Mobile Hotspot or Connectify. Older Hosted Network-based tools (Virtual Router, HostedNetworkStarter, mHotspot) often cannot on the same-adapter setup.
What is the safest replacement for Baidu WiFi Hotspot?
Windows Mobile Hotspot is safest because it is first-party. Among third-party options, MyPublicWiFi and Connectify have long track records of clean installers.
Is Connectify Hotspot worth paying for?
Yes if you use it daily and specifically need wired-to-Wi-Fi, cellular tether sharing, or custom DNS. No if you only occasionally spin up a hotspot for a single device.
Which of these support Windows 11?
Connectify Hotspot, MyPublicWiFi (on drivers that still expose Hosted Network), OSToto Hotspot, and the built-in Windows Mobile Hotspot all support Windows 11. Virtual Router, HostedNetworkStarter, and mHotspot work only when the Wi-Fi driver still supports the older Hosted Network API.
