GlassWire vs NoMachine

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.

NoMachine is a remote access application that lets users connect to and control another computer over the internet or a local network, built around the company's proprietary NX protocol tuned for low-latency, high-definition remote sessions. Beyond basic screen sharing, it supports remote file transfer, printing, audio streaming, and terminal/shell access, and can run through a standard web browser as well as its native desktop and mobile clients. The product line spans a free non-commercial edition for personal use, a paid Personal Edition with support for individuals and small commercial use, and Enterprise products (Enterprise Desktop, Terminal Server, Cloud Server) aimed at organizations that need centralized deployment, unlimited concurrent connections, VPN access, and two-factor authentication. It is widely used for remote IT support, accessing home or lab machines while traveling, and enterprise virtual desktop delivery.

• 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

• Noticeably fast and responsive compared to many remote desktop tools, even on modest connections
• Works across Windows, Mac, and Linux with consistent behavior
• Free tier available for genuine personal, non-commercial use
• Flexible deployment from a single home PC up to enterprise terminal servers

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

• The free edition is restricted to non-commercial personal use only
• Enterprise features like unlimited connections require paid licensing
• Initial firewall/router configuration can be fiddly for direct (non-cloud) connections