Comparison · 3 min read
NetBlocker vs Radio Silence: which fits your Mac?
An honest comparison of NetBlocker and Radio Silence: workflow, pricing, Mac compatibility, process visibility, and license requirements.
Two options for a quiet blocking workflow
If you want to choose apps to block without approving every connection, both products deserve a look. NetBlocker focuses on a drag-and-drop list and visibility into associated processes. Radio Silence also offers silent blocking and a built-in network monitor.
This comparison is written by NetBlocker’s developer, not an independent reviewer. Competitor details were checked against the official Radio Silence website on 10 September 2026. It is a feature comparison, not a performance or reliability benchmark.
The practical differences
| Consideration | NetBlocker | Radio Silence |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €4.99 lifetime license | US$9 |
| Mac support | Apple silicon; macOS 13+ | Intel and Apple silicon; macOS 10.15+ |
| Workflow | Drag an app into a blocking list | App blocking without connection pop-ups |
| Process visibility | Discovered and observed related processes under each app | Real-time monitor showing helpers, XPC services, and daemons |
Prices use different currencies; taxes and checkout totals may vary. Check each product’s current terms before buying.
Choose by workflow and compatibility
Consider NetBlocker if you have a supported Apple silicon Mac and prefer a small list of apps with their associated network processes in the same interface. Try the actual apps you care about during the trial.
If you have an Intel Mac or an older supported macOS release, Radio Silence covers hardware NetBlocker does not. Its network monitor is also worth evaluating if exploring connections is central to your workflow.
Both tools address helper processes. We have not established that one detects or blocks more helpers than the other, nor that one uses less CPU or battery. A simple interface does not by itself establish stronger protection.
A NetBlocker limitation to factor in
NetBlocker costs €4.99 for a lifetime license, with a 7-day trial. It requires an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or newer) running macOS 13 Ventura or later. A paid license needs periodic online validation and has a 14-day offline allowance. After that allowance, or when the trial expires, protection turns off until access is restored through successful license validation or activation.
If you need a Mac to stay disconnected for longer, account for this before choosing NetBlocker. We do not infer Radio Silence’s license-validation behavior from its feature page; check its current documentation or ask its developer.
Try your own workflow before switching
Save your work and test a non-critical app first. Check that the protection status is active, reopen the target app, and test a new online request. Avoid stacking multiple filters while comparing: that can make it hard to tell which product caused a result.
Our step-by-step blocking guide explains installation, checking related processes, and what a saved rule does—and does not—tell you.
TRY IT ON YOUR OWN MAC
One app. One simple rule.
7 days to see whether NetBlocker fits your workflow. €4.99 for a lifetime license after the trial.
Download NetBlockerApple silicon · macOS 13+ · Signed & notarized