Control D vs GlassWire

Control D is a DNS filtering and security service that blocks malware, unwanted content, and specific applications across devices at the DNS level. It runs on a claimed 100M-user threat intelligence network with a reported 99.98% malware block rate, and supports modern encrypted DNS protocols including DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, and DNS-over-QUIC.

GlassWire is a network monitoring and personal firewall application for Windows and Android that visualizes current and past network activity to help users spot malware, bandwidth hogs, and unfamiliar devices on their network. Its firewall includes an ask-to-connect mode that lets users approve or deny individual apps' network access, alongside a network time machine for reviewing historical connections. GlassWire also tracks data usage across devices and can alert users before they exceed set data limits, while its network scanner flags new or unknown devices joining a WiFi network. Over 53 million downloads have been recorded for the Windows and Android apps combined.

• Broad native OS support including Linux
• Encrypted DNS protocols supported out of the box
• Transparent self-serve per-endpoint pricing for SMBs
• 14-day free trial with no credit card required

• Combines network monitoring and firewall in one lightweight app
• Very affordable premium pricing at $2.99/month
• Visual, easy-to-understand traffic graphs
• Available on both Windows and Android

• Enterprise, MSP, and school pricing requires contacting sales
• Per-endpoint pricing can add up for larger device fleets
• No permanent free tier for individual home users listed on the pricing page

• Free tier limits network history to just 24 hours
• Windows and Android only, no Mac or Linux support
• Advanced threat detection features require Premium