Keep it up vs Rethink: DNS + Firewall + VPN
Side-by-side comparison of two open source alternatives
Keep it up
Keep it up checks network services periodically by sending a ping, connecting to a specific port or downloading a site. It can also be used to ensure a connection with a timeout will be kept alive. Features - Create multiple separate network tasks - One task monitors one network service at a specified interval - A task sends a specified number of pings, performs a specified number of connections attempts or downloads a file or a site - Successful and unsuccessful attempts are logged - Downloaded files can automatically be deleted after a successful download or be kept - Notifications can be sent on failure or when a network service goes down or up - A network task can be restricted to WiFi connections, i.e. it does not perform any action on mobile networks with potentially limited download data - The configuration can be exported and imported as a JSON data file - Intervals can be defined during which all background work is suspended for battery saving Permissions - RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED for restarting running networks tasks on device boot - ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE for checking network accessibility - INTERNET for accessing the internet - WAKE_LOCK to keep the device awake while executing a task - FOREGROUND_SERVICE to start the foreground service for running tasks - FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC to use the foreground service with data transmission - USE_EXACT_ALARM to start networks tasks after expiry of intervals (Android 13+) - SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM to start networks tasks after expiry of intervals (Android 11 and 12) - POST_NOTIFICATIONS for sending notifications Note The app uses exact alarms to trigger network task execution. Power consumption during waiting is as high as for a calendar app waiting for reminders to trigger. During execution the power consumption is higher, of course, and short execution intervals cause more overall battery drain. The app works best if you disable battery optimization. If battery optimization is active, network tasks execution may be unreliable especially for short intervals, i.e. they may trigger less often and the trigger time may not be exact. There is a link in the app leading to the Android battery settings for the app. Of course, with disabled battery optimization power consumption may be higher. For Android 15+, it is no longer possible (and no longer necessary) to directly disable battery optimization. Android 15+ provides a setting to allow background activity for an app, which is enabled by default. It is strongly recommended to leave it enabled. The app should work without it, but it can lead to unreliable behaviour.
Rethink: DNS + Firewall + VPN
Say hello to a safer, transparent, and secure Android. VPN: Connects to multiple WireGuard VPNs of your choice. Safe: Reveals network activity of installed apps and lets you disable, uninstall, or firewall them. Secure: First line of defense against spyware, ransomware, and malware that steal personal information and takeover accounts. Protects from DNS manipulation typically employed to censor websites, social media, and messaging apps. Fast: DNS Servers deployed to 300+ locations world-wide to ensure your internet is as fast and highly available as it can be. Open: Open source and free of any trackers. ***Features*** Firewall: Prevent apps from connecting to the Internet. Block spyware, malware, ransomware and more. A firewall blocks any app connecting to the Internet over WiFi or Mobile data. Since most forms of surveillance require the data to be sent the network to a server, firewalling them effectively mitigates the threat (File Managers, Alarm Clock, Calculator are few such examples of apps that do not require any Internet access to function). The firewall feature uses Accessibility Service to detect and firewall background applications. Monitoring: Keep tabs on incoming and outgoing Internet traffic. If enabled, the connectivity logs are collected and analyzed. Automated reports flag previously unknown or suspicious connections, and reveal the extent of attempt to steal data by spyware networks. In our tests, around 60% of the traffic is flagged and reported as being initiated by known spyware. Logs generated are made available in near-real time to the user for their own analysis. WireGuard: Secure outgoing Internet traffic. The app uses fast, modern, light-weight, and secure WireGuard protocol to encrypt outgoing connections to any compatible VPN provider of your choice. Anti-censorship: The app encrypts your internet connection to Domain Name System (DNS) server run by Rethink with presence in our 300+ locations world-wide. DNS servers are the address book of the internet: A DNS server provides the exact addresses you need to visit a website or open an app. Data Monitor: Track per-app and per-connection Mobile or WiFi data usage.
| Feature | Keep it up | Rethink: DNS + Firewall + VPN |
|---|---|---|
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Install sources | F-DroidGitHub | F-DroidGitHub |
| Categories | Dev ToolsMessagingBrowser | Password ManagerVPNFirewallDev ToolsMessagingBrowser |
| Features | Ad-FreeOpen SourceNo Tracking | Ad-FreeOpen SourceNo Tracking |
| Platforms | Android | Android |
| Website | ||
| Source code |