Little Snitch

Name: Little Snitch
Brand: Little Snitch

See and control every outgoing connection on your Mac with this application firewall.

softwareFirewalls firewallnetwork-monitormac-security

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Our Verdict

Best for

Mac users who want full visibility and control over which apps talk to the internet.

Skip if

You're on Windows/Linux, or you don't want to manage per-app connection rules.

What is Little Snitch?

Little Snitch is a network monitoring and application firewall for macOS made by Objective Development. It intercepts unwanted outgoing connections attempted by apps, installers, and background processes, and lets you decide - on a per-app, per-domain, or per-port basis - whether to allow or deny them. Beyond blocking, Little Snitch visualizes network traffic with interactive charts covering up to 12 months of history, organizes activity by app, domain, or country, and offers built-in DNS encryption (DoH/DoT/DoQ) plus daily-updated blocklists. Rules can be grouped, shared, and automatically switched based on the current Wi-Fi network.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

deploymentDesktop App

open source❌ No

Key Features of Little Snitch

Shows a real-time alert whenever an app attempts to connect to the internet, letting you allow or deny the connection before any data is sent.

Visualizes network traffic with interactive charts that cover up to 12 months of historical connection data.

Organizes connection activity by application, domain, or country for easy auditing.

Encrypts DNS queries using DoH, DoT, or DoQ through services like Quad9 to prevent DNS-based tracking.

Applies curated, daily-updated blocklists, including IP-based lists, to automatically block known trackers and malicious hosts.

Supports rule groups that can be created locally or subscribed to from a remote server for shared configurations.

Automatically switches network profiles and rules based on which Wi-Fi network the Mac is connected to.

Identifies applications cryptographically so rules remain accurate even if an app is moved or renamed.

Use Cases for Little Snitch

Blocking unwanted telemetry

Stop apps and system processes from silently sending usage data or telemetry to third-party servers.

Auditing new software

Install unfamiliar or free apps and watch exactly which servers they try to contact before deciding to trust them.

Securing public Wi-Fi

Automatically switch to stricter rule profiles when connecting to untrusted or public Wi-Fi networks.

Blocking ads and trackers network-wide

Apply curated blocklists to cut off known ad and tracker domains across every app on the Mac, not just the browser.

Pros & Cons of Little Snitch

Pros

Gives granular, per-app control over outgoing network connections
Detailed traffic visualization makes it easy to spot unexpected connections
One-time purchase rather than a recurring subscription
Built-in DNS encryption and blocklists add extra privacy protection

Cons

Mac-only, so it does not help users on Windows or Linux
Constant connection alerts can be overwhelming for less technical users
Full pricing isn't published up front and requires visiting the order page

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Little Snitch work on Windows?

No, Little Snitch is built exclusively for macOS.

Is Little Snitch a subscription?

No, based on the order page, Little Snitch is sold as a one-time license rather than a recurring subscription.

Can I try Little Snitch before buying?

Yes, it offers a free trial; the Network Monitor feature works for 30 days, while core protection continues in demo mode afterward.

What is a Family License?

It's a license covering up to 5 computers in one household for non-commercial use.

Pricing Overview

View full pricing →

Paid (One-time)

Detailed plans are not listed. Visit the official website for pricing information.

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