Choose the amount of control you want

Sentinel and other network tools

Sentinel is built for people who want to understand and control app connections without starting in an expert firewall console. These products take different approaches; the right choice depends on how much depth and configuration you want.

Sentinel

A native Mac app with a map-first monitor, app-grouped connections, Monitor, Ask, and Lockdown modes, local rules, bounded local history, and optional blocklists. Sentinel emphasizes understandable decisions and local-first privacy.

Little Snitch

A mature commercial Mac firewall with deeper network-monitoring and rule-management capabilities. It is the stronger fit when maximum control and years of advanced tooling matter more than a smaller, calmer interface.

Radio Silence

A deliberately simple Mac firewall focused on blocking an application's internet access. It is a strong fit when you want a compact block list and do not need Sentinel's live map, connection explanations, or operating modes.

OpenSnitch

An open-source application firewall for GNU/Linux with advanced event queries, blocklists, system firewall controls, remote management, and SIEM integrations. It is designed for Linux rather than macOS.

Why choose Sentinel?

• You want a native Mac utility with a visual overview of destinations.
• You want to begin in a quiet monitoring mode and add control gradually.
• You want the app to explain why a connection was allowed or blocked.
• You want rules and connection history stored locally without an account.

View Sentinel on the Mac App Store or return to the Sentinel overview.