frp vs GlassWire

frp (Fast Reverse Proxy) is an open-source, self‑hosted solution that enables developers and IT professionals to expose local services to the internet securely. It works across Web, Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexible TCP, UDP, HTTP, and HTTPS tunneling. Designed for simplicity and performance, frp lets you configure proxy rules via a lightweight client‑server model, making it ideal for remote debugging, IoT device access, and internal tool exposure without complex VPN setups.

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.

• Completely free and open source
• Runs on all major operating systems
• Supports both TCP and UDP with TLS encryption
• Highly configurable with simple file syntax

• 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

• Requires manual server setup and maintenance
• Limited graphical UI; primarily CLI/config file driven
• Advanced features may need custom plugins or scripting

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