Frequently asked questions

Throttlr is a macOS app for monitoring and controlling network traffic by app. It shows traffic activity for individual apps, and Throttlr Pro can throttle, block, or set data quotas for download and upload traffic per app or across the system.

Throttlr requires macOS 15 or newer and permission to configure and run its network extension. The direct version installs a signed system extension, while the Mac App Store version includes a sandboxed App Proxy extension. Both providers enable traffic monitoring and controls.

Throttlr uses Apple's Network Extension framework to see and control app traffic. The direct version installs a signed system extension, while the Mac App Store version includes a sandboxed App Proxy extension. Both versions require permission from macOS before the proxy can run. This approval is normally required only once. See the download and setup guide for the installation steps.

This is a limitation of Apple's Network Extension APIs: connections that were opened before Throttlr's proxy provider started may remain outside the provider and cannot be fully captured or controlled. Launch at Login is off until you choose to enable it. If you opt in, Throttlr can start its proxy before your other apps open, allowing their connections to be monitored, throttled, counted toward a quota, or blocked from the start. We recommend enabling it for the most reliable coverage.

Because of the same Apple Network Extension API limitation, an app may already have open connections by the time Throttlr's proxy provider starts. Those older connections may sit outside the provider, so throttling, blocking, or quota accounting might not apply to all of the app's traffic. When Throttlr detects this situation, it prompts you to quit and reopen the target app so its new connections can be captured and controlled. Keeping Launch at Login enabled helps prevent this by starting Throttlr before your other apps. See the guides to limiting one app's bandwidth and blocking an app's internet access for step-by-step setup.

Yes. Set separate download and upload limits for one app or for internet traffic across the system. This creates a repeatable bandwidth-constrained test, but it does not reproduce every network property such as latency or packet loss. Follow the slow-network testing guide for scope, setup, and test scenarios.

Yes. Throttlr Pro can count downloads, uploads, or both against a per-app data quota. Usage can reset daily, weekly, or monthly. When the quota is reached, Throttlr can block traffic or apply separate download and upload speed caps, and it sends a notification. The dashboard shows usage, remaining data, and the next reset time, and you can reset usage manually.

The Internet target measures all non-local traffic captured by Throttlr, independently of the app list. macOS background services, app helpers, newly launched apps, or apps that recently closed can generate traffic that Throttlr cannot match to a currently visible app. That traffic still appears in the Internet total, so the total is not always the exact sum of the app rows.

Free includes per-app traffic monitoring and has no scheduled expiration, plus one rule: throttle, block, or set a data quota on one app at 1 MB/s and 1 GB. Pro adds rules for every app and the system, your own speed limits and quota allowances, and network profiles. When a trial or paid entitlement ends, Throttlr keeps your most recently changed rule active at Free's limits and saves the rest until Pro returns.

Throttlr offers monthly and yearly subscriptions as well as a one-time Lifetime plan. Each paid plan unlocks the same Pro traffic controls. Direct-download prices and plan details are listed on the pricing page. Mac App Store prices are localized by Apple and displayed by StoreKit inside Throttlr and in Apple's purchase sheet.

A direct-download Polar license key can be active on up to two Macs. To move it, open Throttlr Settings, select the License tab, and choose “Deactivate This Mac” before activating another Mac. Mac App Store purchases instead follow the Apple Account across eligible Macs under Apple's usage rules; Throttlr's two-Mac activation limit does not apply to that version.

Cancel direct-download subscriptions through the Polar customer portal and Mac App Store subscriptions through your Apple Account subscription settings. Unless the applicable billing provider ends access immediately, Pro remains available through the current paid billing period. Throttlr returns to Free after that period ends.

Apple handles billing, subscription management, and refund requests for the Mac App Store version. Polar is Throttlr's merchant of record and handles checkout, taxes, invoices, subscription billing, cancellations, and refund requests for direct-download purchases. See the Mac App Store terms or direct-download terms for details.

No. Throttlr processes network traffic locally on your Mac. It does not send traffic contents, browsing activity, or per-app traffic statistics to Throttlr servers. Settings, application identifiers, and aggregate runtime information used to display and enforce your configuration are stored locally. Read the Privacy Policy for more information.

For installation, product, or license help, email support@throttlr.app. For payment, cancellation, invoice, or refund questions, contact Apple for Mac App Store purchases or use Polar's customer and checkout support channels for direct-download purchases.