Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

uMatrix VS Absolute

Compare uMatrix VS Absolute and see what are their differences

uMatrix logo uMatrix

uMatrix: A point-and-click matrix-based firewall, with many privacy-enhancing tools.

Absolute logo Absolute

Absolute Software creates computer theft recovery, data protection and secure asset tracking solutions.
  • uMatrix Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26
  • Absolute Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-20

uMatrix features and specs

  • Advanced Privacy Control
    uMatrix gives users detailed control over what kind of requests (scripts, iframes, XHR, etc.) are allowed to load on every website they visit, enhancing privacy.
  • Customizability
    Users can create highly specific rules for different sites and types of content, allowing for a tailored browsing experience.
  • Enhanced Security
    By blocking unwanted scripts and other potential attack vectors, uMatrix helps to protect users from malicious content and exploits.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project hosted on GitHub, uMatrix allows for community review, transparency, and contributions to its codebase.

Possible disadvantages of uMatrix

  • Complexity
    The level of granularity and control that uMatrix offers can be overwhelming for non-technical users, making it less accessible to the average user.
  • Configuration Time
    Setting up uMatrix to work optimally for the user's specific needs can be time-consuming, particularly for those who frequent many different websites.
  • Learning Curve
    Understanding how to effectively use all of the features and settings in uMatrix requires a significant investment of time and effort, which might deter some users.
  • Potential Website Breakage
    Due to its aggressive blocking policies, uMatrix can sometimes break website functionality until the user whitelists or configures specific site settings.

Absolute features and specs

  • Comprehensive Endpoint Security
    Absolute provides a robust endpoint security solution that ensures the protection and compliance of devices across an organization, reducing the risk of data breaches.
  • Persistence Technology
    The platform offers unique persistence technology that is embedded in the firmware of devices, allowing for continuous visibility and control, even if the device is reimaged or the OS is reinstalled.
  • Self-Healing Capabilities
    Absolute’s self-healing capabilities allow critical applications and security tools to be automatically repaired or reinstalled if they are tampered with or corrupted, ensuring continuous protection.
  • Real-Time Alerts
    The platform provides real-time alerts and insights on potential threats and security policy breaches, enabling IT teams to respond promptly to incidents.
  • Detailed Reporting
    Absolute offers comprehensive reporting features that provide extensive data on device status, security posture, and compliance, which are essential for audits and risk management.

Possible disadvantages of Absolute

  • Cost
    Absolute's services can be relatively expensive, which might be a significant consideration for small to medium-sized businesses with limited budgets.
  • Complexity
    Due to its extensive feature set, the platform can be complex to deploy and manage, requiring specialized knowledge and possibly additional training for IT staff.
  • Performance Impact
    Some users have reported that the software can have an impact on device performance, potentially slowing down operations on older or less powerful machines.
  • Limited Integration
    While Absolute integrates with several third-party security tools, it may not support all the applications and systems used by an organization, potentially limiting its effectiveness.
  • Dependence on Internet Connectivity
    The effectiveness of Absolute’s real-time monitoring and updates relies heavily on constant internet connectivity, which can be a limitation in environments with variable or restricted internet access.

Analysis of uMatrix

Overall verdict

  • Yes, uMatrix is a good tool if you prioritize privacy and want granular control over what web content can be loaded. However, it may come with a learning curve and is not actively maintained as of its last updates, which could be a drawback for some users.

Why this product is good

  • uMatrix is regarded as a good tool for privacy-conscious users because it allows detailed control over the requests that websites can make within your browser. It offers features such as blocking scripts, iframes, cookies, and other elements, providing users with enhanced security and improved loading times for websites.

Recommended for

  • Users who want to increase their online privacy and security.
  • Tech-savvy individuals who are comfortable configuring detailed settings.
  • Those who wish to reduce the amount of unwanted content and tracking on websites.

Analysis of Absolute

Overall verdict

  • Absolute is generally considered a strong solution for organizations that need robust endpoint security and asset management. Its persistence technology and adaptability make it a reliable choice for ensuring device security, especially in environments where device loss or theft is a concern.

Why this product is good

  • Absolute is known for its specialized endpoint security and management solutions. It focuses on providing resilience and visibility across a wide range of devices, securing them and ensuring compliance. It is particularly praised for its persistence feature, which allows IT administrators to maintain contact with devices even if they are off-network or if the software has been tampered with.

Recommended for

    Absolute is especially recommended for businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies that require a comprehensive endpoint security solution capable of managing and securing a large number of devices effectively. It is ideal for organizations that place a high priority on data protection and compliance.

uMatrix videos

How to use uMatrix to protect your online privacy & improve security | uMatrix tutorial

More videos:

  • Review - der.hans: uMatrix for Web Browser Protection
  • Tutorial - How to use uMatrix for Online Privacy

Absolute videos

Introduction to Absolute Software | the Industry Benchmark for Endpoint Resilience

More videos:

  • Review - One Canada stock to buy during stock crash (Absolute software stock analysis)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to uMatrix and Absolute)
Security & Privacy
60 60%
40% 40
Monitoring Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Ad Blockers
100 100%
0% 0
Office & Productivity
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 uMatrix and Absolute

uMatrix Reviews

22 NextDNS Alternatives
uMatrix is a matrix-based point-and-click firewall with plenty of exciting and secure privacy-enhancing tools. Users can point and click to allow as well as forbid any class of requests made by the browser that you have for exploring the internet. Surf the internet while getting rid of blocking scripts, annoying ads, unhealthy iframes, annoying Facebook sponsors, and other...

Absolute Reviews

10 Best MDM Software: Mobile Device Management Solutions in 2023
Absolute is an endpoint security solution designed to provide security features for IT operations and the management & security of all endpoints in an infrastructure. The tool provides its users with advanced tools for endpoint visibility and control.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, uMatrix should be more popular than Absolute. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. 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.

uMatrix mentions (5)

Absolute mentions (1)

  • Laptop stolen, any advice?
    Did you sign up with https://absolute.com for Computrace? Source: over 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing uMatrix and Absolute, you can also consider the following products

uBlock Origin - Popular and efficient blocker for Chromium, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Thunderbird.

Malwarebytes for Business - Malwarebytes for Business is a company that develops an anti-malware application to protect individuals and companies from malware such as worms, trojans, rootkits, rogues, and scams that affect computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Adblock Plus - AdBlock Plus is a browser extension for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and several other popular browsers that prevents intrusive ads like pop-ups and malicious code from appearing on websites you visit.

LogMeIn Central - LogMeIn Central is a comprehensive endpoint management software that easily helps IT professionals manage and monitor their organization’s endpoint infrastructure.

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

ESET Endpoint Security - Powerful multilayered protection for desktops, laptops and smartphones