# LuLu review (2026): is it any good? > Free open-source Mac firewall for outgoing connections Checked Nov 12, 2026 ยท graded Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA. 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. - **Category:** Desktop Utilities - **Made by:** Objective-See - **Website:** https://objective-see.org/products/lulu.html - **Runs on:** macOS - **Who should skip it:** Skip it if you want protection for incoming traffic, as it watches outgoing connections only. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 12, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 12, 2026, LuLu is free to use. - **Pricing model:** 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 https://objective-see.org/products/lulu.html on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with LuLu before buying. ## 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. ## Good for - Mac users who want to see which apps connect to the internet - People who want a free firewall for outgoing traffic ## 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. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 2.6 out of 4**, graded Nov 12, 2026. 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. - **Value for money: A.** Free and open source, under 60% of the category's cheaper quarter. - **Free plan and trial: A.** Free outright with no cap and no locked features. - **Features: C.** Blocks and allows outgoing connections with rules, passive mode and block mode. It covers outgoing traffic only, and some traffic is out of its reach. - **Ease of use: C.** No rating on record. You approve several things in System Settings, then decide on each new connection. - **Platforms and integrations: D.** Mac only, and the maker recommends macOS 15.3 or later. No other platforms or integrations. These are ToolGPA's own grades. 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. ## Where it 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. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/utilities ## Keep it, 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. - You could not: An engine that recognises new malware as it appears. - You could not: A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page. A judgement by ToolGPA from this listing, by rules that are the same for every tool. Nothing was built to test it. **Tags:** Open source, Malware protection ## Alternatives - [Malwarebytes](https://toolgpa.com/tools/malwarebytes): Malware scanner and real-time protection, with VPN and ID plans. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/lulu-vs-malwarebytes) - [Bitdefender](https://toolgpa.com/tools/bitdefender): Antivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/bitdefender-vs-lulu) - [CleanMyMac](https://toolgpa.com/tools/cleanmymac): Mac cleanup, malware removal and maintenance in one app. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/cleanmymac-vs-lulu) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026: - https://objective-see.org/products/lulu.html Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/lulu Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).