GlassWire vs NetLimiter (2026): which should you pick?

Pick GlassWire if

• Fits if you want to see which apps connect out from a Windows PC
• Works for people who want an alert when a new device joins the network

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to block apps on the free edition, as the firewall needs Premium
• Tight if you want a week of history, since free keeps 24 hours
• Not for you if you use a Mac or Linux machine, as the PC edition is Windows 10 or later
• Watch out: discounts there use codes, and multi-license prices load by script

Pick NetLimiter if

• Fits if one app keeps eating your connection and you want a hard cap on it
• Works for people who want quotas and history for each app

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you use a Mac or Linux machine, as it runs only on Windows
• Skip it if you want a lifetime license: it runs for 1 or 2 years, then goes restricted
• Watch out: no list price could be confirmed because checkout prices load by script
• Watch out: a license covers one computer, virtual machines included

GlassWire

• Firewall features such as click-to-block, Ask to Connect and lockdown mode need Premium.
• The vendor lists Windows 10 or later as the requirement for the PC edition; no Mac or Linux version is shown.
• Multi-license prices on the pricing page load by script and were not readable; discounts there use codes.

NetLimiter

• Windows only; the vendor says it works on Windows 7, 10, 11 and later.
• A license covers one computer, including virtual machines, and runs for a set period of 1 or 2 years.
• When a license period ends the program switches to a restricted mode until the license is renewed.
• Checkout prices load by script and are localized by its payment provider, so no list price could be confirmed.

GlassWire

Network activity graph

Shows which apps and hosts your PC connects to, with usage broken down by app, IP or host and traffic type.

Network time machine

Lets you go back in time to see what a PC was doing while you were away; the free edition keeps 24 hours, Premium keeps unlimited history.

Firewall controls

Ask to Connect, click-to-block, lockdown mode and firewall profiles let you allow or deny each app's connections.

Alerts on changes

Warns when a new app accesses the network, when an unknown device joins your WiFi or when an app changes in a way that could suggest malware.

Data usage limits

Tracks data use on a PC or phone and alerts you before you reach a limit.

Remote monitoring

Monitors other PCs through remote GlassWire connections: 1 on the free edition, unlimited on Premium.

NetLimiter

Bandwidth limits

Set a maximum transfer speed for the machine, an application, a user or a single connection, or adjust an entity's bandwidth priority.

Real-time traffic monitoring

Shows how much data each application sends and receives, with a live traffic chart and a log of connections allowed or blocked.

Connection blocker

Rules block chosen applications from connecting to the internet; an interactive Ask prompt can create a rule as a connection is attempted.

Quotas and scheduling

Set data transfer quotas per application or filter that trigger a limit or blocker rule, and schedule when rules switch on and off.

Filters and long-term stats

Build filters from application paths, domains, IP ranges and users, and view detailed traffic history stored locally.

Remote administration

Control other machines running NetLimiter remotely, and set which users may control or monitor traffic on a machine.

GlassWire

• Free$0

  Basic network monitoring: 24 hours of network history, current-day alert logs and 1 remote connection.

• Premium (Personal)$2.99

  per month for 1 license, paid annually

  Adds the click-to-block firewall, Ask to Connect, unlimited history and more; the page also sells 2, 5, 10 and 20 licenses.

NetLimiter

Pricing could not be confirmed. See netlimiter.com.