Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

RethinkDNS VS GlassWire

Compare RethinkDNS VS GlassWire and see what are their differences

RethinkDNS logo RethinkDNS

2B+ Android users deserve access to a safer and open Internet.

GlassWire logo GlassWire

Visualize network activity in detail, get notified when new apps access the network, look out for...
  • RethinkDNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-19
  • GlassWire Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-20

RethinkDNS features and specs

  • Privacy Protection
    RethinkDNS aims to enhance user privacy by blocking trackers, ads, and malicious domains, helping to ensure that user data remains secure and private.
  • Customizability
    Users can highly customize RethinkDNS by creating their own DNS rules, which allows for tailored protection and control over the types of content that are blocked.
  • Open Source
    The RethinkDNS project is open-source, meaning that its code is transparent and can be reviewed and improved by the community. This adds a layer of trust and security as users can see exactly what the software is doing.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    RethinkDNS offers support for multiple platforms, including Android and potentially other operating systems, providing flexibility for users with different devices.
  • Regular Updates
    The service is frequently updated with new rules and features, ensuring that users are protected against emerging threats and have access to the latest functionalities.

Possible disadvantages of RethinkDNS

  • Complexity for New Users
    The high level of customizability can be daunting for users who are not tech-savvy, potentially resulting in confusion or improper setup.
  • Performance Impact
    Depending on the configuration and the number of rules applied, users might experience a slight decrease in browsing speed due to the time required to process DNS queries.
  • Limited Support
    As an open-source project, RethinkDNS might not offer the same level of official customer support as commercial products, which can be challenging for users needing help.
  • Platform Availability
    While it supports multiple platforms, comprehensive support might not be available for all operating systems or devices, limiting its usability for some users.
  • Learning Curve
    Users may need to invest time in learning how to effectively use and customize RethinkDNS, which can be a barrier to entry for those looking for an out-of-the-box solution.

GlassWire features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    GlassWire offers a visually appealing and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to monitor network activity and understand data usage.
  • Comprehensive Network Monitoring
    GlassWire provides detailed insights into the user's network activity, including bandwidth usage, application connections, and geographic data for connected servers.
  • Real-Time Alerts
    The software offers real-time alerts for suspicious activity, helping users quickly respond to potential security threats.
  • Firewall Management
    GlassWire integrates firewall management features, allowing users to block specific applications from accessing the network.
  • Privacy Protection
    The software includes various privacy protection features, such as detecting spyware, malware, and other unwanted software.
  • Historical Data
    Users can access historical network activity data to analyze trends and identify unusual behavior over time.
  • Ease of Installation
    GlassWire is easy to install and set up, making it accessible even to users with minimal technical expertise.

Possible disadvantages of GlassWire

  • Cost
    Although GlassWire offers a free version, many advanced features are locked behind a paywall, which could be a drawback for cost-conscious users.
  • Resource Usage
    Some users have reported that GlassWire can consume a significant amount of system resources, potentially slowing down their computer.
  • Limited Cross-Platform Support
    While GlassWire supports Windows and Android, it lacks support for other popular platforms like macOS and iOS, limiting its usability for some users.
  • Complexity for Novices
    Despite its user-friendly design, some of GlassWire's more advanced features may be overwhelming for users who aren't familiar with network security concepts.
  • Periodic Connectivity Issues
    Some users have reported occasional connectivity issues, including problems with the service not starting or functioning properly.
  • Updating Issues
    There have been occasional reports of problems during the update process, where features may not work as expected or data may seem inconsistent post-update.
  • False Positives
    GlassWire's real-time alerts sometimes generate false positives, causing unnecessary alarms and potential inconvenience.

Analysis of RethinkDNS

Overall verdict

  • RethinkDNS is a strong choice for users who prioritize privacy, security, and control over their internet experience. Its robust feature set and commitment to transparency make it a recommended option.

Why this product is good

  • RethinkDNS is considered good because it offers advanced privacy features, blocking unwanted ads and trackers, and providing secure DNS resolutions. It also emphasizes user control and customization, enabling users to choose from a variety of configurations and filters. Moreover, its open-source nature allows for transparency and community contributions.

Recommended for

  • Privacy-conscious individuals who want to safeguard their online activities
  • Users looking to block ads and trackers efficiently
  • Tech-savvy individuals who prefer open-source software
  • Anyone seeking customizable DNS and firewall solutions

Analysis of GlassWire

Overall verdict

  • Overall, GlassWire is a solid choice for individuals looking to enhance their network security and gain insights into their data usage. Its combination of functionality and ease of use makes it a favorite among both tech-savvy users and beginners.

Why this product is good

  • GlassWire is considered a good network monitoring tool due to its user-friendly interface, detailed network activity visualizations, and comprehensive security features. It helps users monitor their network usage in real-time, detect unusual activity, and understand data consumption by different applications.

Recommended for

    GlassWire is recommended for users who prioritize security and want detailed visibility into network activity, including those who manage small to medium-sized networks, privacy-conscious individuals, and anyone interested in monitoring their data consumption.

RethinkDNS videos

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GlassWire videos

Glasswire Firewall Review | Tested against Ransomware

More videos:

  • Review - BEST FIREWALL.... EVER?! // GlassWire Review - Personal Security & Privacy Monitoring
  • Review - Master Your Network With Glasswire 2.0

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to RethinkDNS and GlassWire)
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
Monitoring Tools
18 18%
82% 82
Ad Blockers
100 100%
0% 0
Firewall
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare RethinkDNS and GlassWire

RethinkDNS Reviews

Best AD Blockers for Android [ 2022 ]
RethinkDNS has a very active community with a telegram channel so that you can ask for help.

GlassWire Reviews

Best firewall software of 2024
Probably its best feature is the presentation of detailed statistics of network usage broken down by IP/Host, application, and type of network traffic. GlassWire has an ‘Ask to Connect’ mode to allow or deny new app connections. And you can create custom profiles, for instance, when you’re connected to your home WiFi or when you’re at work.
Best Free Firewalls for Windows, Mac & Android in 2024
GlassWire monitors incoming and outgoing traffic to protect against intrusions. It’s among the most beginner-friendly and intuitive firewall programs I’ve seen. The app provides useful graphs that make it easy to tell what each process is doing. Once you’re in the app, you’ll see 5 tabs that highlight the following details:
Source: www.wizcase.com
10 Best Free Firewall Software for Windows in 2024
The software in the list have different priorities, some of them are great for features, security, and privacy, the others have an edge on pricing. For optimal protection and prevention from threats, we would recommend you to go for ZoneAlarm, Comodo Firewall, or Glasswire. If you want visibility and control of your applications, then go for Peerblock, or Tinywall. The best...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, RethinkDNS seems to be a lot more popular than GlassWire. While we know about 22 links to RethinkDNS, we've tracked only 2 mentions of GlassWire. 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.

RethinkDNS mentions (22)

  • Show HN: WalledGarden – A SIM You Control (RBI/GeoAuth/VPN/NGFW/Socks/Pcap/SDX)
    [2] https://rethinkdns.com - if this is something our users value, and given https://archive.md/slpZ9, we'll donate to support them. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Thoughts on RethinkDNS. Firewall, Privacy, Ads, all-in-one app for privacy.
    Hi, I've been using RethinkDNS https://rethinkdns.com/ for a few days, and for now it's something quite good for what I've seen so far. Source: about 2 years ago
  • blitz down?
    I changed this to rethinkdns.com they are reliable and also they care on privacy..//. Source: over 2 years ago
  • NextDNS vs Control D as compared by Control D owner
    If only https://rethinkdns.com was compared too. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Best way to use Facebook Messenger?
    You might want to look at Frost and SlimSocial, and aside from that maybe run some custom DNS to filter out anything that doesn't break functionality using hosts lists. There are several options there, one is Rethink DNS. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

GlassWire mentions (2)

  • What is the use of an Av when it can be bypassed easily?
    Don’t use netstat use Glasswire as it will help to monitor your network and let you know to where your data is being sent, including the file/service which is sending it. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Bandwidth - 20p-40p per day passive.
    I run the app behind pihole with sinkhole but if your looking to monitor the traffic it sends to see if its any good for you use something like glasswire.com The free version will allow you to monitor the outgoing traffic. Source: almost 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing RethinkDNS and GlassWire, you can also consider the following products

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.

TinyWall - Lightweight and non-intrusive firewall

AdGuard - Surf the Web Ad-Free and Safely. Shield up!

Windows 10 Firewall Control - Windows 10 Firewall Control: simple and exhaustive solution for applications network activity controlling and monitoring.

Blokada - The best ad blocker for Android. Free and open source.

Windows Firewall Control - Windows Firewall Control is not the built in firewall system in the Windows operating systems.