NetGuard vs Saily
A detailed comparison to help you choose between NetGuard and Saily.
NetGuard No-root firewall for Android. | Saily eSIM from Nord Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 (344 reviews) | 3.0 (99 reviews) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | paid |
| Starting Price | From $0/mo | From $0/mo |
| Best For | Best for users wanting network-level firewall protection | Best for users seeking privacy and security tools |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | — | — |
| Visit Saily → |
NetGuard
Pros
- + Per-app firewall without rooting
- + Open-source (GPLv3) and publicly reviewed
- + Detailed per-app and global traffic logs
- + Hosts-file domain blocking via GitHub/F-Droid builds
- + Pro features via one-time donation option
- + Good for diagnosing background network activity
Cons
- - Uses Android VPN slot; conflicts with real VPNs
- - Play Store version can’t do ad blocking
- - Domain blocking fails with DoH/DoT enabled
- - Can’t block YouTube ads via domains
- - Unsupported in some work/dual-app environments
Saily
Pros
- + Security features included with every eSIM plan
- + DNS-level ad and threat filtering across apps
- + Virtual Location offers 115+ selectable locations
- + Transparent: explicitly says it’s not a VPN
- + Ultra adds 30GB then 1 Mbps unlimited data
- + Refunds available for unactivated plans within 30 days
Cons
- - Virtual Location doesn’t match full VPN guarantees
- - DNS-based blocking misses same-domain ads
- - Refunds after activation aren’t guaranteed
- - U.S. (Delaware) jurisdiction may deter high-risk users
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