GlassWire

GlassWire is a network monitor for Windows and Android that shows, in a live graph, which applications are using the network, how much data they move and where they connect. Sysadmins and power users reach for a GlassWire download when a laptop’s bandwidth disappears, an unknown process phones home or a metered connection runs out early. GlassWire is shareware (conditionally free): a free version covers monitoring with limits, and the firewall and full history require GlassWire Premium.

The current Windows build is a 64-bit application. Since version 3.9.1102 (June 2026) GlassWire no longer supports Windows 7, Windows Server editions or 32-bit Windows, which matters if you planned to put it on servers. Its firewall features drive the built-in Windows Firewall through its API rather than adding a separate filtering driver.

GlassWire at a glance

What it does

• Live and historical traffic graphs per application, per host and per traffic type.
• Usage statistics showing which apps, hosts and traffic types used the most data.
• Hardware resource monitoring for CPU, memory, GPU and disk next to network activity.
• A network scanner that lists devices on the local network (available in the free version).
• Remote monitoring: view another PC running GlassWire from your own console (one remote connection in the free version).
• Premium: firewall control with click-to-block, Ask to Connect and Lockdown modes, firewall profiles, new-device alerts, ARP spoofing and evil-twin detection, unlimited history and usage export.
• Version 3.10.1138 adds automatic cleanup of inactive apps, firewall filters, a banner when Block All mode is active and an improved network scanner.

How sysadmins use it

Find what is eating bandwidth on a workstation

1. Install GlassWire on the affected PC and leave it running while the user works normally.
2. Open the Graph view and click a spike to see which application and host caused it.
3. Switch to Usage to rank apps and hosts by data transferred over the period.
4. The free version keeps 24 hours of network history, so investigate within a day or capture screenshots for the ticket.

Watch a second PC remotely

1. On the PC to be watched, open GlassWire’s settings, go to the Remote Access tab, unlock it with the operating system admin password and enable remote access.
2. Keep the default port 7010 or set your own, and allow that port through the Windows Firewall from your admin machine only.
3. On your own PC, add a remote connection with the target’s IP address, adding :port only if you changed the port.
4. Both machines must run GlassWire. Across networks you need routing or a VPN; do not expose the port to the internet.

The free version allows one remote connection at a time. Windows Server is no longer supported, so this is a workstation-to-workstation feature now.

Block an application from the network (Premium)

1. Open the Firewall view, find the application and click its firewall icon to block it.
2. For a locked-down kiosk or test machine, switch to Ask to Connect so every new app must be approved, or Lockdown to block new connections.
3. Because the rules are written to Windows Firewall, check that Group Policy on domain machines does not override local firewall rules before relying on them.

Install and first run

• Windows: 64-bit Windows 10 or 11. The installer is about 118 MB and needs administrator rights; it installs a background service that keeps recording when the window is closed.
• Older systems: 3.8.1061 is the last build for 32-bit Windows; Windows 7 and Windows Server are not supported by current versions.
• Android: a separate mobile app focuses on data usage per app.
• Coexistence: GlassWire works with Windows Firewall rather than replacing it. Third-party firewalls that take over Windows Firewall can conflict with its firewall features.
• Privacy: GlassWire records hostnames and connection history on the PC; tell users before installing it on their machines and follow your monitoring policy.

Limitations

• The free version has no firewall control at all; firewall features, security alerts, unlimited history and data export are Premium.
• Free history is limited to the last 24 hours, and alert logs to the current day.
• No macOS, Linux or Windows Server versions.
• It is a per-device tool; there is no central management for a fleet of PCs.
• Closed source.

GlassWire vs alternatives

For finding devices on the LAN rather than watching traffic, Angry IP Scanner is the quicker tool.

FAQ

Is GlassWire free?

GlassWire is shareware (conditionally free). The free version monitors traffic and usage with limits; the firewall, longer history and security alerts need Premium.

Does GlassWire Free include a firewall?

No. Since version 3.6.859, GlassWire’s firewall features are limited to Premium users.

What is the difference between GlassWire free and Premium?

Premium adds firewall control (click-to-block, Ask to Connect, Lockdown, profiles), security alerts such as new devices and ARP spoofing, unlimited history and usage export, and more than one remote connection.

Is GlassWire available for Mac?

No. GlassWire is available for Windows and Android only; the company says Mac and iOS versions are being worked on.

Does GlassWire run on Windows 7 or Windows Server?

Not any more. Version 3.9.1102 dropped Windows 7, Windows Server and 32-bit Windows; current builds need 64-bit Windows 10 or 11.

Is there a GlassWire app for Android?

Yes. The Android app is listed on Google Play and focuses on mobile data and Wi-Fi usage per app.

What is a good free alternative to GlassWire?

simplewall for app blocking, Windows Resource Monitor for live per-process traffic, and PRTG Freeware for network-wide bandwidth graphs.

Last checked against official sources: 1 October 2026 (developer website: glasswire.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in production.