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

Pick LuLu if

• Fits if you want to see which Mac apps connect to the internet
• Works for people who want a free firewall for outgoing traffic

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want protection for incoming traffic, as it watches outgoing connections only
• Watch out: the maker says some traffic can't be blocked because it bypasses Network Extensions
• Tight if you dislike setup, as install needs several manual approvals in System Settings
• Watch out: macOS 15.3 or later is recommended because of network problems in early macOS 15

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

LuLu

• The maker says some traffic does not pass through Network Extensions, so LuLu cannot block it.
• It recommends macOS 15.3 or later because of networking problems in early macOS 15 releases.
• Installation needs several manual approvals in System Settings.

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.

LuLu

Outbound blocking

Alerts on and blocks outgoing connections from apps that have no rule yet.

Rules

Create allow or block rules, with options to auto-allow Apple programs and installed apps.

Passive mode

Runs without alerts, applying existing rules and allowing or denying new connections automatically.

Block mode

Blocks all traffic routed through LuLu, except destinations on an allow list.

Lists

Allow and block lists in the settings window, alongside rule and update options.

Network Extension

Uses Apple's Network Extension framework, which needs manual approval in System Settings.

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.

LuLu

• LuLu$0

  Free and open source; the source is linked from the product page.

NetLimiter

Pricing could not be confirmed. See netlimiter.com.