GlassWire vs NetBox

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.

NetBox is a powerful open-source solution that combines IP address management (IPAM) with data center infrastructure management (DCIM). It helps teams document, track, and automate network and data center resources in a single, searchable interface. Designed for self‑hosting, NetBox offers a RESTful API, extensible custom fields, and integrations with automation tools, making it ideal for organizations that need full control over their infrastructure data.

• 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

• Free and open source
• Highly extensible with custom fields
• Comprehensive REST API
• Strong community support

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

• Requires self‑hosting and maintenance
• Initial setup can be complex for small teams
• Limited native reporting UI