Side by side
GlassWire vs MRTG
Both stand on network monitoring. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidWebWindows
GlassWire combines traffic visibility with firewall controls, while its Android app focuses on app data use and connections. The free tier keeps only short histories; the Personal Plan costs $2.99 a month when billed annually.
Visit GlassWire Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb+1
Choose MRTG if you need a free, self-hosted way to graph network traffic or other SNMP data, with long-range views and configurable webpages. Windows users also need a current copy of Perl.
Visit MRTGThe facts
| GlassWire | MRTG | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, Web, Windows | Linux, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Personal Plan: $2.99 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Maker | GlassWire | Not published |
| Website | glasswire.com | oss.oetiker.ch |
| On network monitoring | #10 of 55 | #14 of 55 |
GlassWire: what it does well
- Traffic analysis can break usage down by app and host.
- Alerts identify unusual changes and unknown Wi-Fi devices.
- Android can block app connections over mobile or Wi-Fi.
- Personal Plan includes unlimited network history.
What to know first
- Free network history is limited to 24 hours.
- Free bandwidth history covers one day.
- Desktop requires Windows 10 or later.
MRTG: what it does well
- Creates traffic graphs for four time ranges, from daily to twelve-month views.
- Retains relevant traffic data for two years without log growth.
- Can monitor 200 or more links, according to its documentation.
- Includes automatic configuration and setup tools.
- Supports SNMPv2c 64-bit counters and RRDtool hooks.
What to know first
- Windows installation requires a current copy of Perl.
- Deployment is self-hosted.
- No free trial is offered.
Alternatives to GlassWire Alternatives to MRTG The whole list