LuLu review (2026): is it any good?
Free open-source Mac firewall for outgoing connections
LuLu report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for seeing and blocking outgoing connections on a Mac
LuLu is a free, open-source Mac firewall that asks what to do when an app first tries to connect out. The maker says some traffic never passes through the Network Extension it uses, so LuLu can't block it, and setup needs several manual approvals.
Who LuLu is for
- Fits if you want to see which Mac apps connect to the internet
- Works for people who want a free firewall for outgoing traffic
Who LuLu is not for
- 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
Why LuLu gets a 2.6
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree and open source, under 60% of the category's cheaper quarter.
- AFree plan and trialFree outright with no cap and no locked features.
- CFeaturesBlocks and allows outgoing connections with rules, passive mode and block mode. It covers outgoing traffic only, and some traffic is out of its reach.
- CEase of useNo rating on record. You approve several things in System Settings, then decide on each new connection.
- DPlatforms and integrationsMac only, and the maker recommends macOS 15.3 or later. No other platforms or integrations.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Objective-See's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/lulu#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/lulu.svg" alt="LuLu: 2.6 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where LuLu stands among desktop utilities
LuLu's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 35 of the 96 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 25.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 53 of 96) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
LuLu has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 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 97 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. LuLu’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 96, level with 72
- AFree plan and trialAbove 53 of 96, level with 43
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 96, level with 67
- CEase of useAbove 4 of 96, level with 29
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 96, level with 61
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 52 desktop utilities. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep LuLu, or make your own?
Keep it
LuLu is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could not
- An engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. LuLu’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.
What is LuLu?
LuLu is a free, open-source firewall for macOS from Objective-See. It blocks unknown outgoing network connections, which the maker says protects your privacy and helps against malware. It builds on Apple's Network Extension framework and has passive and block modes, rule lists and allow-list settings.
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
LuLu pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, LuLu is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- None
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| LuLu | $0 | Free and open source; the source is linked from the product page. |
Read from objective-see.org on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with LuLu before you buy.
LuLu alternatives
- LuLu vs Malwarebytes
Free plan · from $59.99/yr
- LuLu vs Bitdefender
Free plan · from $49.99/yr
- LuLu vs CleanMyMac
Free trial · from $39.99/yr
Common questions
Does LuLu have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. LuLu is listed for macOS.
Does LuLu have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. LuLu is listed for macOS.
Is LuLu open source?
Yes. LuLu is open source, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026.