The GlassWire Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about GlassWire in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
GlassWire
The Insider’s Guide
Windows network monitor and firewall with a traffic time machine
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from GlassWire’s own pages.
Made by GlassWire · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from GlassWire’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on GlassWire’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 35 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade
GlassWire is a Windows network monitor and personal firewall that graphs which apps your PC talks to, keeps a history of past activity and alerts on new connections or new devices on your network. A free edition covers basic monitoring; Premium adds firewall controls and unlimited history.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about GlassWire, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No store rating is on record, but you install it and the graph starts filling in with nothing to set up.
- 1
Best for seeing which Windows apps talk to the internet
GlassWire graphs which apps your PC talks to, keeps a history and alerts you to new connections, with a free edition and a Premium firewall.
- 2
Paid plans start at $2.99 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $2.99 per month, paid annually (Personal).
- 3
There is a free plan
Free edition: traffic monitoring and network time machine limited to 24 hours of history, 1 day of bandwidth data and 1 remote connection.
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
Windows and Android.
- 5
Network activity graph
Shows which apps and hosts your PC connects to, with usage broken down by app, IP or host and traffic type.
- 6
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.
- 7
Firewall controls
Ask to Connect, click-to-block, lockdown mode and firewall profiles let you allow or deny each app's connections.
- 8
A 2.4 GPA, above 35 of 186
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace GlassWire you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
GlassWire at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $2.99 per month, paid annually (Personal)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows, Android
- Made by
- GlassWire
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for seeing which Windows apps talk to the internet
GlassWire graphs which apps your PC talks to, keeps a history and alerts you to new connections, with a free edition and a Premium firewall. The free edition keeps 24 hours of history, and the firewall controls are Premium only.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Premium is $2.99 a month for one license, billed annually, which lands in the middle of this category. Multi-license prices were not readable. |
| Free plan and trial | C | A free edition with 24 hours of history, 1 day of bandwidth data and 1 remote connection. You will hit these caps. |
| Features | C | Activity graph, time machine, firewall, alerts, data limits and remote monitoring. The gap the listing shows: click-to-block, Ask to Connect and lockdown mode are Premium only. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating is on record, but you install it and the graph starts filling in with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | A Windows PC program plus an Android app, for the remote and alert side. Nothing for Mac. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who GlassWire is for
- 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
Who it is not for
- 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
Good to know
Good for
- Seeing which programs use your internet connection
- Home users who want per-app firewall prompts
- Spotting new devices on a home network
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$2.99
A month to start. There is a free plan too
GlassWire has a free plan. Paid plans start at $2.99 per month, paid annually (Personal).
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.
The free plan
Free edition: traffic monitoring and network time machine limited to 24 hours of history, 1 day of bandwidth data and 1 remote connection.
Read from glasswire.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Windows and Android
Windows network monitor and firewall with a traffic time machine. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: site & app blocker, reports, system monitor, malware protection.
Activity graph, time machine, firewall, alerts, data limits and remote monitoring.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Windows
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
GlassWire is made by GlassWire.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
35/186
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
GlassWire's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 35 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 33.
It stands best on platforms and integrations (B, above 172 of 186) and worst on features (C, above 2).
Its paid plans start at $2.99 a month, against a middle price of $2.99 for the category: 18 of the 36 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. GlassWire’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 5 of 186
- CFree plan and trialAbove 8 of 186
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 186
- BEase of useAbove 78 of 186
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 172 of 186
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. GlassWire is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace GlassWire you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 118 of the 186 other desktop utilities grade higher. It costs $35.88 a year.
What you could make
- Reports: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- An engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
- Readings from inside the operating system.
- Blocking that reaches every browser and app and is hard to switch off.
- Apps for Windows and Android that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. GlassWire’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
NetLimiter, TripMode, LuLu, Radio Silence and Process Lasso
The 5 tools GlassWire is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.2GPA
NetLimiter
Free trial
Per-app internet bandwidth limits and monitoring for Windows.
- GlassWire has a free plan. NetLimiter does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only GlassWire lists an Android app.
- GlassWire also covers malware protection.
- 2.6GPA
TripMode
Free plan · from $14.99/yr
Mac app that blocks background data use on slow or metered networks.
- Only GlassWire lists Windows and Android apps.
- Only TripMode lists a macOS app.
- TripMode can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.6GPA
LuLu
Free
Free open-source Mac firewall for outgoing connections.
- Only GlassWire lists Windows and Android apps.
- Only LuLu lists a macOS app.
- LuLu is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.4GPA
Radio Silence
Free trial · from $9 one-time
Mac firewall and network monitor that blocks apps from going online.
- GlassWire has a free plan. Radio Silence does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only GlassWire lists Windows and Android apps.
- Only Radio Silence lists a macOS app.
- 2.6GPA
Process Lasso
Free plan · from $23.97 one-time
Windows process automation for CPU priorities and affinities.
- Only GlassWire lists an Android app.
- Process Lasso can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- GlassWire also covers site & app blocker, reports and malware protection.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is GlassWire free?
GlassWire has a free plan. Free edition: traffic monitoring and network time machine limited to 24 hours of history, 1 day of bandwidth data and 1 remote connection.
How much does GlassWire cost?
GlassWire lists 2 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does GlassWire work on?
GlassWire is available on Windows and Android.
Does GlassWire have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. GlassWire is listed for Windows and Android.
Does GlassWire have a macOS app?
No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. GlassWire is listed for Windows and Android.
Is GlassWire open source?
GlassWire is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Who makes GlassWire?
GlassWire is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to GlassWire?
The closest alternatives to GlassWire in our directory are NetLimiter, TripMode, LuLu, Radio Silence and Process Lasso.
How does GlassWire compare with other desktop utilities?
GlassWire's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 35 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 33.
Is GlassWire good value for money?
ToolGPA grades GlassWire C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $2.99 a month, against a middle price of $2.99 for the category: 18 of the 36 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of GlassWire?
To replace GlassWire you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from GlassWire’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from GlassWire's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by GlassWire. Prices change, so check glasswire.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- GlassWire, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/glasswire
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "GlassWire: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/glasswire
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/glasswire/guide
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See our other guides
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Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what GlassWire’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. GlassWire is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by GlassWire. Prices and plans change: check glasswire.com before you buy.