Alternatives to Portmaster

Shows every connection each application makes and lets you block any of them, with sensible defaults already set. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Portmaster.

  • OpenSnitch

    An interactive application firewall for Linux that asks before letting any program make an outbound connection.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    OpenSnitch is a Linux-only GPL-3.0 application firewall that prompts on each new outbound connection and manages nftables, with multi-machine management.

  • simplewall

    Puts a plain list of programs in front of the Windows Filtering Platform, so you decide what is allowed online.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    simplewall is a free Windows tool using a plain allow and block list on the Windows Filtering Platform, without Portmaster's secure DNS or tracker lists.

  • GlassWire

    Network monitor and firewall with a visual traffic history.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsAndroid

    GlassWire is a closed-source Windows and Android monitor with a visual traffic history, putting longer history behind a paid licence.

  • Little Snitch

    macOS application firewall that prompts on outgoing connections.

    PaidProprietarymacOS

    Little Snitch is a paid, closed-source macOS firewall that prompts on outbound connections and shows which process talks to where.

  • LuLu

    Control outbound application connections on macOS.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOS

    LuLu is a free open-source outbound firewall for macOS, a platform Portmaster does not support.

  • NetGuard

    No-root Android firewall that blocks internet access per app.

    FreemiumOpen sourceAndroid

    NetGuard blocks internet access per app on Android without root, with a live traffic log, but occupies the VPN slot.

  • TinyWall

    A free, lightweight firewall controller for Windows that works without pop-up prompts.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    TinyWall is a free Windows firewall controller with no pop-ups and no kernel drivers, but programs must be allowed manually and it is not open source.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Portmaster as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Fort Firewall

    Open-source per-application firewall for Windows built on its own filtering driver.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    Portmaster shows every application connection and blocks trackers and malware by default on Windows and Linux, with some features paid.

  • Picosnitch

    A Linux daemon that monitors network traffic per executable and alerts when new programs connect.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Portmaster shows every application connection and can block them on Windows and Linux, with sensible defaults but a Windows kernel driver and paid history features.

  • ufw

    Uncomplicated Firewall, a command-line tool for managing a netfilter firewall on Linux.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxCommand line

    Portmaster offers a graphical, per-application connection firewall with default tracker blocking on Windows and Linux, with some features paid.

  • Windows Firewall Control

    A tray tool that extends Windows Firewall with outbound connection prompts and quick filtering modes.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    Portmaster runs on Windows and Linux with default tracker blocking and secure DNS, but uses a kernel driver and puts history search behind payment.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.