Portmaster AlternativesAd Blockers & Firewalls like Portmaster

Portmaster is described as 'Free and open-source privacy suite that puts you back in charge of your computer' and is a very popular Ad Blocker in the security & privacy category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Portmaster for a variety of platforms, including Android, Windows, Linux, Mac and Android Tablet apps. The best Portmaster alternative is AdGuard, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Portmaster are NextDNS, simplewall, Pi-hole and RethinkDNS.

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Portmaster alternatives are mainly Firewalls, but if you're looking for Ad Blockers or Network Monitors you can filter on that. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Portmaster.
Portmaster iconPortmaster
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Portmaster is a free and open-source privacy suite that puts you back in charge of your computer.

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Portmaster alternatives page was last updated Feb 27, 2025
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  1. AdGuard icon

    AdGuard

     254 likes
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    Ad-blocking solution eliminating intrusive ads and preventing tracking, with malware protection. Filters pop-ups, banners, and more for clean browsing. Works in the background for ad-free surfing, protects data privacy with Spyware filter, and controls ad display in apps.

    125 AdGuard alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CY flagCyprus
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    AdGuard screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Built-in Ad-blocker
    2.  DNS over HTTPS
    3.  Pop up blocker
    4.  DNS-over-TLS
    5.  Custom DNS
    6.  Block Trackers
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No Logs
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Anonymous Proxy

    AdGuard VS Portmaster

     
    Comments about AdGuard as an Alternative to Portmaster
    TBayAreaPat
    •Apr 28, 2023
    2

    AdGuard is great, but it's not a firewall/port system.

    Portmaster Icon
    AdGuard icon

    • AdGuard is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Portmaster.

    • AdGuard is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Portmaster.

    • AdGuard is Freemium and Open SourcePortmaster is also Freemium and Open Source
    • AdGuard is Privacy focused and LightweightPortmaster is not according to our users
  2. NextDNS icon

    NextDNS

     115 likes
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    NextDNS protects you from all kinds of security threats, blocks ads and trackers on websites and in apps and provides a safe and supervised Internet for kids — on all devices and on all networks.

    141 NextDNS alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • UC Browser
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • UniFi Network
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • OpenWrt
    • Opera
    • Alpine Linux
    • pfSense
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • DD-WRT
    NextDNS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  DNS Resolver
    2.  DNS Server
    3.  DNS over HTTPS
    4.  DNS-over-TLS
    5.  Parental Control
    6.  Real-time analytics
    7.  Data analytics
    8.  Dns
    9.  DNSSEC
    10.  Block Trackers
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Malware Analysis

    NextDNS VS Portmaster

     

    • NextDNS is the most popular Web-based, Linux & SaaS alternative to Portmaster.

    • NextDNS is Freemium and Open SourcePortmaster is also Freemium and Open Source
    • NextDNS is Customizable and Privacy focusedPortmaster is not according to our users
  4. simplewall icon

    simplewall

     183 likes
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    Simple tool to configure Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) which can configure network activity on your computer.

    33 simplewall alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • RU flagRussia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Main Window

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Firewall
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Portable
    4.  Built-in Firewall
    5.  Outbound firewall
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Block Trackers
    9.  Built-in timer
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Works Offline

    simplewall VS Portmaster

     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Total Adblock icon
    Total Adblock

    Block unwanted ads for faster browsing with Total Adblock. Remove banners, pop-ups, and video ads. SAVETIME by decreasing data usage and improving privacy while prolonging battery life. Easy iOS setup requires a paid account, off...

    http://www.totaladblock.com
    Learn More
  6. Pi-hole icon

    Pi-hole

     150 likes
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    Block ads for all your devices without the need to install client-side software. The Pi-hole blocks ads at the DNS-level, so all your devices are protected.

    42 Pi-hole alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • CentOS
    • Fedora
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Raspberry Pi OS
    • Raspberry Pi
    The Web interface shows how many ads were blocked, a query log, and more.

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Network-wide blocking
    2.  Adblocking via DNS
    3.  DNS Server
    4.  Self-hosted
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Dockerized
    8.  DNS Proxy
    9.  Custom DNS

    Pi-hole VS Portmaster

     
    Comments about Pi-hole as an Alternative to Portmaster
    Raphty
    Positive •Feb 23, 2022
    1

    Their is a comparison blog on safing.io suggesting when to use what solution https://safing.io/blog/2021/12/09/portmaster-vs-pi-hole/

    Portmaster Icon
    Pi-hole icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Pi-hole is a great Portmaster alternative.

    • Pi-hole is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Portmaster.

    • Pi-hole is Free and Open SourcePortmaster is Freemium and Open Source
    • Pi-hole is Privacy focused and LightweightPortmaster is not according to our users
  7. RethinkDNS icon

    RethinkDNS

     43 likes
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    An OpenSnitch-inspired firewall and network monitor + a pi-hole-inspired DNS over HTTPS client with blocklists.

    45 RethinkDNS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    RethinkDNS screenshot 1
    RethinkDNS screenshot 2
    RethinkDNS screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  No Root Required
    2.  Block Trackers
    3.  DNS over HTTPS
    4.  Firewall
    5.  Dns
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Bypass Censorship
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  No registration required
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  No Logs

    RethinkDNS VS Portmaster

     
  8. GlassWire icon

    GlassWire

     144 likes
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    Visualize network activity in detail, get notified when new apps access the network, look out for malware, and block badly behaving apps.

    63 GlassWire alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    GlassWire's graph shows you real-time network activity broken down by apps, traffic, and hosts.

    Properties

    1.  Intuitive Interface

    Features

    1.  Network activity
    2.  Block apps
    3.  Built-in Firewall
    4.  Graphical component
    5.  Graphs
    6.  Traffic Monitoring
    7.  Push subscriptions
    8.  Network Tools

    GlassWire VS Portmaster

     
  10. Little Snitch icon

    Little Snitch

     134 likes
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    A firewall protects your computer against unwanted guests from the Internet. But who protects your private data from being sent out? Little Snitch does!

    38 Little Snitch alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • AT flagAustria
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Little Snitch screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Rule based
    4.  Traffic Monitoring
    5.  Traffic Analysis
    6.  Custom rules
    7.  Application Firewall
    8.  Usage statistics
    9.  Real-time traffic

    Little Snitch VS Portmaster

     

    • Little Snitch is the most popular commercial alternative to Portmaster.

    • Little Snitch is Paid and ProprietaryPortmaster is Freemium and Open Source
    • Little Snitch is Privacy focusedPortmaster is not according to our users
  11. Fort Firewall icon

    Fort Firewall

     28 likes
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    Simple firewall for MS Windows.

    33 Fort Firewall alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Main UI

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Firewall
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Portable
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Traffic shaping
    8.  Auto Update
    9.  Block Trackers
    10.  Stats
    11.  Scheduling

    Fort Firewall VS Portmaster

     
    Comments about Fort Firewall as an Alternative to Portmaster
    RemovedUser
    Positive •May 5, 2024
    1

    It's more lightweight than Portmaster. It notifies me every time a new app is in use even background programs. Plus it shows the file path for each app which makes it easier to make sure it isn't malware posing as legitmate software.

    Portmaster Icon
    Fort Firewall icon
    • Fort Firewall is Free and Open SourcePortmaster is Freemium and Open Source
    • Fort Firewall is Lightweight and Privacy focusedPortmaster is not according to our users
  12. LuLu by Objective-See icon

    LuLu by Objective-See

     50 likes
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    LuLu is the free, shared-source macOS firewall that aims to block unknown outgoing connections unless explicitly approved by the user.

    13 LuLu by Objective-See alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Menu bar

    LuLu by Objective-See Features

    1.  Outbound firewall
    2.  Low resource footprint
    3.  Source code history

    LuLu by Objective-See VS Portmaster

     
  13. NetLimiter icon

    NetLimiter

     90 likes
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    Comprehensive Windows software for internet traffic control, enabling users to set bandwidth limits for applications or connections. Offers real-time monitoring, long-term stats per app, and detailed internet usage reports. Ideal for managing data efficiently and enhancing network performance.

    25 NetLimiter alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    NetLimiter screenshot 1

    Top NetLimiter Features

    1.  Bandwidth limiting
    2.  Net Limiting
    3.  Filtering
    4.  Quotas support
    5.  Custom rules
    6.  Application Blocker
    7.  Traffic Monitoring
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Priorities
    10.  Built-in Firewall
    11.  Dark Mode

    NetLimiter VS Portmaster

     
  14. OpenSnitch icon

    OpenSnitch

     38 likes
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    OpenSnitch is a GNU/Linux application firewall.

    32 OpenSnitch alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IT flagItaly
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    OpenSnitch screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Application Firewall
    2.  Firewall
    3.  Network Filtering
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Block Trackers
    7.  No Tracking

    OpenSnitch VS Portmaster

     
    Comments about OpenSnitch as an Alternative to Portmaster
    Alx84
    Positive •Feb 4, 2024
    0

    OpenSnitch is much more superior to any other software, especially astro-turfed Portmaster. Portmaster doesn't detect even a fraction of what is actually happening on your system, whereas OpenSnitch catches it all. It's an application firewall everyone should have! You'll be amazed how many stuff pretending-to-be-FOSS software is phoning home on you.

    Portmaster Icon
    OpenSnitch icon
    • OpenSnitch is Free and Open SourcePortmaster is Freemium and Open Source
    • OpenSnitch is Lightweight and Privacy focusedPortmaster is not according to our users
  15. InviZible Pro icon

    InviZible Pro

     16 likes
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    InviZible Pro uses DNSCrypt Protocol, Tor and i2pd (I2P Daemon) (PurpleI2P) to achieve maximum security, privacy and comfortable use of the Internet.

    25 InviZible Pro alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • UA flagUkraine

    Platforms

    • Android
    • I2P
    • Tor
    InviZible Pro screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Block Trackers
    4.  Decentralized
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  No registration required
    8.  No Logs
    9.  Anonymous Proxy
    10.  AES-256 Encryption
    11.  Switch DNS servers
    12.  DNS over HTTPS

    InviZible Pro VS Portmaster

     
    Comments about InviZible Pro as an Alternative to Portmaster
    RemovedUser
    Positive •May 6, 2024
    0

    Even though the firewall for this is less sophisticated, I still think it's a good alternative because of the dnscrypt protocol and anonymizing proxies. They're both "swiss-army knives" when it comes to privacy, but it's implemented in slightly different ways.

    Portmaster Icon
    InviZible Pro icon
    • InviZible Pro is Free and Open SourcePortmaster is Freemium and Open Source
    • InviZible Pro is Privacy focused, Lightweight and DecentralizedPortmaster is not according to our users
12 of 30 Portmaster alternatives