FlowViewer vs GlassWire

FlowViewer is free software for analyzing NetFlow data exported by an organization’s network devices. Its interface works with Carnegie Mellon’s SiLK software and also supports the older flow-tools collector. The toolset combines FlowViewer for text reports, FlowGrapher for charts, and FlowMonitor for longer-term traffic monitoring. It supports NetFlow versions 5 and 9, including IPv6, and offers filtering by address, port, interface, autonomous system, TOS, TCP flags, protocol, and next hop. More than 30 reports are available, and reports and filters can be saved. FlowGrapher charts bits, flows, and packets per second over a selected period; FlowMonitor provides RRD graphs for filtered traffic, with views from 24 hours to 3 years. Dashboards can give groups such as Security and Operations separate live views. FlowViewer is listed for Linux and web use and can be installed on a dedicated Unix server or virtual appliance; the software requires a Unix server. The free plan is free. Paid options include hourly support at a price agreed with the maker, router configuration at $500, paid once, training at $500, paid once, and installation at $750, paid once.

GlassWire is a network traffic monitor and personal firewall for viewing network activity and controlling app connections. Its desktop traffic analysis breaks usage down by IP or host, app, traffic type, and other categories. Alerts flag unusual network or app changes that could indicate malware and unknown devices joining Wi-Fi. The Android app graphs app data use, alerts when apps access the network, and can block connections over mobile or Wi-Fi. GlassWire says Android app and data usage information stays on the phone and the app itself uses no data. The free tier limits network history to 24 hours, bandwidth usage history to one day, and alert logs to the current day. Premium provides unlimited network history, bandwidth history, and alert logs, along with bidirectional firewall controls, custom profiles, Ask to Connect, and Lockdown Mode. The Personal Plan costs $2.99 per month when billed annually. The desktop download requires Windows 10 or later and supports x64 and ARM64 architectures.