Stop apps from eating your data
When tethering or on a data-capped connection, every megabyte counts. But apps don't know that. Dropbox happily syncs gigabytes. macOS downloads a 3GB update. Chrome tabs preload content you never read. Data limits set strict caps per app: 'Dropbox max 500MB today' or 'Chrome gets 2GB this month.'
How data limits work
Set data limits per app with daily or monthly caps. NetMute tracks each app's data usage in real-time and compares it to your limits. When a configurable threshold (e.g., 80%) is reached, you get a notification. At 100%, NetMute automatically blocks the app's network access.
When data limits save your plan
Mobile hotspot with 10GB/month: set a global limit and per-app caps. Abroad with expensive roaming: strict limits on everything, generous only for essential apps. Remote work with slow connections: limit background apps to prioritise video calls.
Why bandwidth control is more important than ever
Remote work means more tethering, hotel Wi-Fi, and locations with limited connectivity. Without data limits, a single background process can consume your data in hours. Data limits give you predictable control over bandwidth usage.
Key benefits
- Set daily or monthly data limits per app
- Threshold notifications at configurable percentages
- Automatic blocking when limits are exceeded
- Global data limit for the entire Mac
- Real-time tracking of data usage against limits
Frequently Asked Questions about Data Limits
Can I set different limits per network profile?
Yes. Your home profile might have no limits, while your mobile hotspot profile has strict per-app caps. Limits are profile-specific.
What happens when an app hits its limit?
You receive a notification and the app is automatically blocked from the network. You can manually override the limit or increase it from the menu bar.
Are limits reset automatically?
Yes. Daily limits reset at midnight, monthly at the first of the month. You can also reset limits manually at any time.