Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Gufw VS Portmaster

Compare Gufw VS Portmaster and see what are their differences

Gufw logo Gufw

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

Portmaster logo Portmaster

Is a Privacy Modular Privacy App which includes a "DNS over TLS" feature as well as an "Application Firewall".
  • Gufw Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26
  • Portmaster Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-21

Gufw features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Gufw offers an intuitive and simple graphical user interface, making it accessible for users who are not familiar with command-line tools.
  • Easy Configuration
    The software provides easy-to-use pre-configured firewall settings as well as custom rule options, simplifying the setup process for users.
  • Integration with UFW
    Gufw is a front-end for Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW), which allows Linux users to manage their firewall settings effectively without losing advanced features provided by UFW.
  • Lightweight
    Gufw is a lightweight application, consuming minimal system resources and does not require much space on the hard drive.
  • Active Development
    The software regularly receives updates and improvements, ensuring compatibility and security with newer Linux distributions.

Possible disadvantages of Gufw

  • Limited to Linux
    Gufw is only available on Linux operating systems, so users on other platforms cannot benefit from this tool.
  • Basic Functionality
    While Gufw is excellent for basic firewall configuration, advanced users may find it lacking in features compared to other comprehensive firewall tools.
  • Dependency on UFW
    Since Gufw depends on UFW, any limitations of UFW in terms of functionality or compatibility will also affect Gufw.
  • Beginner Focus
    Gufw is focused on providing an easy experience for beginners, which might not satisfy the needs of more tech-savvy users looking for detailed configuration options.

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.

Gufw videos

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Portmaster videos

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Gufw and Portmaster)
Firewall
58 58%
42% 42
Monitoring Tools
41 41%
59% 59
Security & Privacy
0 0%
100% 100
Network Monitoring
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Gufw and Portmaster. 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 Gufw. While we know about 58 links to Portmaster, we've tracked only 1 mention of Gufw. 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.

Gufw mentions (1)

  • Extreme privacy on your daily driver
    2- You should set it up anyways gufw.org. Source: about 4 years ago

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 / almost 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: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

TinyWall - Lightweight and non-intrusive firewall

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

ufw - Ufw stands for Uncomplicated Firewall, and is program for managing a netfilter firewall.

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...

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