In this post, firewall apps for Android are explained: A firewall is system software that filters network traffic to protect your device. It inspects incoming traffic from the internet and allows only safe and secure sites to access your data, safeguarding your privacy and enhancing security. Acting as a barrier between your device and external sites, it prevents unauthorized access and protects you from potential threats.

Firewalls block viruses, hackers, and other malicious attacks from entering your device. Many free apps are available to help protect you from these dangers.

To help you stay safe, we’ve curated a list of the best free firewall apps for Android devices.

The term ‘firewall’ comes from the walls built between buildings to prevent the spread of fire. Before we dive into the top firewall apps for android, I briefly explained how firewalls work and what they do for your device.

Best Firewall Apps for Android Phones in 2025

As previously said, because of the usefulness and significance of firewalls, all internet-connected devices—including mobile phones—must have a firewall installed. Some of the top free firewall programs that we suggest are listed below.

Glasswire Data Usage Monitor

GlassWire is an all-inclusive data monitoring tool that gives you a graphical representation of how much data each of your apps is using. Also, it presents statistics regarding your mobile and Wi-Fi usage so you can see which applications are wasting the most data. Furthermore, if a newly installed application accesses the network, GlassWire notifies you so that you can intervene if you so desire. Its interface is pretty friendly and enables you to limit and manage your data effectively.

NetGuard No Root Firewall

NetGuard provides an easy and professional method of blocking certain apps from using the internet without root access. It makes use of Android’s VPN service and enables you to decide which apps can access the internet, increasing your security and conserving data. It also analyzes the level of data used by each app, thus allowing consumers to manage their data better. The open-source nature of its development promotes confidence and enhancement by the software developers’ community.

AFWall+ Android Firewall

AFWall+ is a powerful firewall for Android devices with root access. It provides a graphical user interface to the Linux iptables firewall and smoothly controls the access of application programs to the data networks (Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, LAN etc). Among the features, we can quote per-application control, several profiles, and network usage logs. This is a good option for users who wish to have more control on their mobile devices as it offers a lot of advanced filtering functionality.

Bottomline

What Exactly Is a Firewall App Specifically Designed to Do?

Are you someone who downloads applications from sites different than the Play Store? If you are, then knowing how a firewall works and who exactly it protects you from makes for an insightful piece of information to have.

The web is made up of an infinite set of connections and websites, which means not everything is safe. In the process of installing an app, you might accidentally access harmful software or browse dubious websites. All such scenarios can put your personal information and individual assets at stake. It is precisely here when a firewall app is of use.

For the Android operating system, the firewall apps assist as protective layers against suspicious activities by blocking sites and thwarting malware from penetrating your data. It also works in a way to prevent users from visiting sites that are likely to host malicious software or viruses.

Equipped with only a vulnerable device with no firewall, you are at risk of security breaches while remaining susceptible to a threat of privacy risks. Now all of this can change as long as your device is connected to the internet, because it means you can get a virus or malware installed on it. So in a nutshell, having a firewall equipped on your device would work miracles when dealing with cyberattacks.

How Does a Firewall App Work?

Firewalls can be implemented as software applications or hardware devices. On Android, firewall apps monitor and control network traffic to and from your device. In contrast, hardware firewalls, often integrated into routers or network devices, protect multiple devices connected to the same network. While both types are effective, hardware firewalls offer broader coverage for connected devices.

Firewall apps for Android help filter incoming and outgoing traffic, blocking any connections that might pose a security threat. Though the role of firewalls on mobile devices may not be as prominent as on computers, they are still vital for safe internet usage. Installing a firewall app on your Android device can help you manage network traffic, enhance browsing speed, and ensure security.