Alternatives to simplewall

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

  • Portmaster

    Shows every connection each application makes and lets you block any of them, with sensible defaults already set.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsLinux

    Portmaster runs on Windows and Linux with a live connection list and built-in tracker blocking, but it installs a kernel driver and keeps some features paid.

  • GlassWire

    Network monitor and firewall with a visual traffic history.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsAndroid

    GlassWire is a closed-source freemium Windows and Android firewall with a visual traffic history and alerts on new connections, with longer history behind a paid licence.

  • WPD

    Windows privacy dashboard for telemetry, services and firewall rules.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    WPD is a closed-source portable Windows privacy dashboard that manages firewall blocks alongside telemetry and app removal, rather than a dedicated per-program allow list.

  • TinyWall

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

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    TinyWall is a free but closed-source Windows firewall controller that also avoids pop-ups, installs no drivers and offers blocklists, temporary rules and boot-time filtering.

Also worth comparing

These listings name simplewall 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

    simplewall uses the Windows Filtering Platform with a plain allow and block list and a portable build, open source like Fort Firewall.

  • Little Snitch

    macOS application firewall that prompts on outgoing connections.

    PaidProprietarymacOS

    simplewall controls which Windows programs reach the internet using the Windows Filtering Platform rather than macOS.

  • LuLu

    Control outbound application connections on macOS.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOS

    simplewall manages allowed programs on Windows through the Windows Filtering Platform rather than macOS.

  • OpenSnitch

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    simplewall runs on Windows using a plain allow and block list instead of prompts, with a portable build under a megabyte.

  • Windows Firewall Control

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

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    simplewall is an open-source GPL-3.0 allow and block list on the Windows Filtering Platform, using its own rule system rather than extending Windows Firewall.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.