Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Portmaster VS netfilter

Compare Portmaster VS netfilter and see what are their differences

Portmaster logo Portmaster

Is a Privacy Modular Privacy App which includes a "DNS over TLS" feature as well as an "Application Firewall".

netfilter logo netfilter

Netfilter software comprises iptables, ipset, conntrack-tools, libnetfilter and more.
  • Portmaster Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-21
  • netfilter Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27

Portmaster features and specs

  • Enhanced Privacy
    Portmaster offers comprehensive network monitoring and filtering, giving users control over data leaving their devices, therefore enhancing privacy by minimizing data leaks.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible even for users who are not technically inclined.
  • Open Source
    Portmaster is open-source, which means its code is publicly available for scrutiny, helping to build trust through transparency and community contributions.
  • Customizable
    Users have the ability to customize settings and filters according to their needs, allowing for a personalized security and privacy configuration.
  • Real-Time Protection
    Provides real-time monitoring and protection, ensuring that users are alerted to and can block unwanted connections as they occur.

Possible disadvantages of Portmaster

  • Potential System Impact
    Depending on system specifications and usage, the software may cause noticeable performance impacts due to its real-time monitoring capabilities.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, there is still a learning curve associated with understanding and effectively utilizing all features, particularly for non-tech-savvy users.
  • Limited Support Resources
    While it has community support, users may find professional support options limited compared to established commercial solutions.
  • Compatibility
    There may be compatibility issues with certain operating systems or network configurations, requiring additional troubleshooting.
  • False Positives
    As with many security solutions, there is a risk of false positives where legitimate connections are mistakenly blocked, potentially disrupting certain services.

netfilter features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis of Portmaster

Overall verdict

  • Portmaster is a good choice for individuals looking for a robust, privacy-focused network monitoring tool. Its open-source nature and user-centric design make it a reliable option for enhancing digital privacy and security.

Why this product is good

  • Portmaster is an open-source network monitoring and firewall tool developed by Safing. It provides users with the ability to monitor and control their network traffic, enhancing privacy and security. The application is user-friendly and offers features such as automatic profile-based configuration, DNS encryption, and the ability to block specific domains or services. As it is open-source, users can review its source code, ensuring greater transparency and trust.

Recommended for

    Portmaster is recommended for privacy-conscious users, tech enthusiasts interested in open-source software, people looking to enhance their network security, and anyone wanting greater control over their network traffic. It's suitable for both individuals and small organizations seeking to improve their digital privacy without requiring extensive technical expertise.

Portmaster videos

The Portmaster is Out in Pre-Alpha! - Progress Update #3

netfilter videos

No netfilter videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Portmaster and netfilter)
Monitoring Tools
86 86%
14% 14
Security & Privacy
90 90%
10% 10
Cyber Security
82 82%
18% 18
Firewall
82 82%
18% 18

User comments

Share your experience with using Portmaster and netfilter. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Portmaster seems to be a lot more popular than netfilter. While we know about 58 links to Portmaster, we've tracked only 1 mention of netfilter. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Portmaster mentions (58)

  • Manjaro is a free and open source Linux operating system that emphasizes privacy
    Manjaro actually includes Portmaster [0] as a package [1], which is now being moved to "extra". [0] https://safing.io/portmaster [1] https://software.manjaro.org/package/portmaster-stub. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Google contacts sync foss alternative
    I get it, but running an outdated OS with no patching is height risk for security, consider the tradeoff. If I'm not mistaken W7 is not supported anymore, meaning you are exposed to vulnerabilities. Consider checking online guides on how to harden W10 or consider migrating to a modern Linux distribution, that can even run some Windows programs. It is true that has reliability issues. VMs are another option and... Source: over 2 years ago
  • What do you guys think of Chromium-based Browsers or whatever engine it is made out of?
    Wouldn't a software like PiHole or Safing Portmaster help in this regard than to rely on ublock origin? Source: over 2 years ago
  • Do I need a firewall?
    You could look at something like Portmaster https://safing.io/portmaster/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Is there a free and trustworthy Firewall
    You can also check Portmaster that is still on Alpha, but looks promising. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

netfilter mentions (1)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Portmaster and netfilter, you can also consider the following products

TinyWall - Lightweight and non-intrusive firewall

Gufw - Gufw is an easy, intuitive way to manage your Linux firewall.

simplewall - Simple tool to configure Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) which can configure network activity on...

Little Snitch - Little Snitch is a firewall application that monitors and controls outbound internet traffic.

GlassWire - Visualize network activity in detail, get notified when new apps access the network, look out for...

privacytools.io - You are being watched.