The LuLu Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about LuLu 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.
LuLu
The Insider’s Guide
Free open-source Mac firewall for outgoing connections
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from LuLu’s own pages.
Made by Objective-See · checked Nov 12, 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 LuLu’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on LuLu’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 35 of the 96 other desktop utilities we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about LuLu, taken from its own pages and our grades.
You approve several things in System Settings, then decide on each new connection.
- 1
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.
- 2
It is free
LuLu has no paid plan at all.
- 3
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 4
Outbound blocking
Alerts on and blocks outgoing connections from apps that have no rule yet.
- 5
Rules
Create allow or block rules, with options to auto-allow Apple programs and installed apps.
- 6
Passive mode
Runs without alerts, applying existing rules and allowing or denying new connections automatically.
- 7
A 2.6 GPA, above 35 of 96
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
LuLu is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
LuLu at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- It is free
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- Objective-See
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
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 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 it 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
Good to know
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
LuLu is free to use.
Free outright with no cap and no locked features.
LuLu
$0
Free and open source; the source is linked from the product page.
Read from objective-see.org on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: macOS
Free open-source Mac firewall for outgoing connections. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, malware protection.
Blocks and allows outgoing connections with rules, passive mode and block mode.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
LuLu is made by Objective-See.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
35/96
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
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
- AFree plan and trialAbove 53 of 96
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 96
- CEase of useAbove 4 of 96
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 96
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 52 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. LuLu 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
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Malwarebytes, Bitdefender and CleanMyMac
The 3 tools LuLu is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.2GPA
Malwarebytes
Free plan · from $59.99/yr
Malware scanner and real-time protection, with VPN and ID plans.
- Only Malwarebytes lists Windows, Android and iOS apps.
- Only Malwarebytes lists a browser extension.
- LuLu is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
Bitdefender
Free plan · from $49.99/yr
Antivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier.
- Only Bitdefender lists Windows, Android and iOS apps.
- LuLu is open source, according to its own site.
- Bitdefender also covers password manager and vPN.
- 1.8GPA
CleanMyMac
Free trial · from $39.99/yr
Mac cleanup, malware removal and maintenance in one app.
- LuLu has a free plan. CleanMyMac does not, though it has a free trial.
- LuLu is open source, according to its own site.
- CleanMyMac can be bought with a one-time purchase.
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 LuLu free?
Yes. LuLu is free to use.
How much does LuLu cost?
LuLu lists one plan. LuLu: $0.
What platforms does LuLu work on?
LuLu is available on macOS.
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.
Who makes LuLu?
LuLu is made by Objective-See.
What are the alternatives to LuLu?
The closest alternatives to LuLu in our directory are Malwarebytes, Bitdefender and CleanMyMac.
How does LuLu compare with other desktop utilities?
LuLu's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 35 of the 96 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 25.
Is LuLu good value for money?
ToolGPA grades LuLu A for value for money. LuLu has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of LuLu?
LuLu is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from LuLu’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. 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.
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 Objective-See. Prices change, so check objective-see.org before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
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.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- LuLu, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/lulu
- 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, "LuLu: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/lulu
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/lulu/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after LuLu, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 97 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Ninite Insider's GuideInstalls and updates many Windows apps at once3.2 GPA
- PeaZip Insider's GuideFree file archiver for Linux, macOS and Windows3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what LuLu’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. LuLu is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Objective-See. Prices and plans change: check objective-see.org before you buy.