NetMute is a macOS menu bar app that gives you full control over your Mac's internet connections. It combines a per-app firewall, traffic monitoring, tracker detection, and privacy scoring in an elegant interface.

What are the system requirements?

NetMute requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. It runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

Does NetMute collect my data?

No. All data processing occurs locally on your Mac. NetMute never connects to external servers, collects telemetry, or tracks your usage.

Does NetMute work with VPNs?

Yes. NetMute works alongside VPNs and is compatible with all common VPN services. It monitors traffic at the app level, regardless of your VPN connection.

Does it affect battery life?

NetMute is designed to be extremely efficient. It uses minimal CPU and memory resources, so you won't notice any impact on battery life.

Is it a subscription?

No. NetMute is a one-time purchase. You pay once and get lifetime access to all current and future features, including updates.

Per-app firewall for Mac — Block any app with one click

Why your Mac needs a per-app firewall

Every app on your Mac can connect freely to the internet without asking for permission. Your photo editing program might send usage data to analytics servers. Your notes app might sync with third-party trackers. Your code editor might phone home with telemetry data. The macOS firewall only filters incoming connections — it does nothing about outgoing data. NetMute fills this gap. It monitors every outgoing connection and gives you control to allow or block each app individually.

How the per-app firewall works

NetMute sits in your menu bar and monitors all network activity at the app level. When an app tries to connect to the internet, NetMute logs the connection with target domain, data volume, and timestamp. You can block or allow each app with one click. Create permanent rules or temporary ones that expire automatically. Set up whitelists to allow only certain apps, or blacklists to block known troublemakers.

When you need per-app control

In a public Wi-Fi? Block everything except browsers and VPN. Concerned about a specific app? Block it and check the connection log. Bandwidth-intensive tasks? Temporarily block background apps. Gaming and no background updates? Block all updaters. The per-app firewall gives you surgical control over your Mac's network behavior.

macOS firewall vs. NetMute — The key difference

The built-in macOS firewall (System Preferences → Network → Firewall) only handles incoming connections. It was designed to prevent external attacks, not to control what your apps send out. This means: every app can send data to any server — without restriction. NetMute offers outgoing connection control — the missing half of network security on macOS.

Main advantages

Block or allow any app with one click from the menu bar
Separate rules for incoming and outgoing connections
Temporary rules with automatic expiry
Whitelist or blacklist mode depending on security needs
Different firewall rules per network profile (Home, Work, Public Wi-Fi)

Frequently asked questions about the per-app firewall

Does an app still work if I block it?

Most apps continue to work offline with limited functionality. Cloud-dependent apps like Slack or Dropbox lose sync features but do not crash. You can unblock an app at any time quickly.

What distinguishes NetMute from Little Snitch?

NetMute combines a per-app firewall with tracker detection, privacy scoring, and network profiles in a single modern interface. It’s a one-time purchase without subscription, designed for simplicity without sacrificing performance.

Does it work with VPNs?

Yes. NetMute monitors traffic at the app level regardless of whether you use a VPN. Your VPN handles encryption and routing; NetMute controls which apps can use the connection.