Advanced Policy Firewall
Advanced Policy Firewall: A free, open-source Linux firewall for detailed host-level traffic control. Ranked #53 of 76 in Firewall Software by our editors (3.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for granular Linux host firewall policies.
At a glance
- Editor score3.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forGranular Linux host firewall policies
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Outbound controlAdvanced
- Founded2002
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Granular inbound and outbound filtering across IPv4, IPv6, and multiple protocols
- User- and application-based outbound rules with stateful connection tracking
- Reactive blocking, remote block lists, anti-spoofing, and Docker compatibility
Where it doesn't
- Linux-only platform support
- Local shell, command-line, and configuration-file administration
- No centralized management or integrations
Our verdict on Advanced Policy Firewall
Advanced Policy Firewall (APF) is an open-source firewall system for Internet-facing Linux servers. Maintained by R-fx Networks and distributed under the GNU GPL v2 license, it is designed for administrators who need detailed host-level control over inbound and outbound traffic. APF supports TCP, UDP, ICMP, and ICMPv6 filtering, alongside user- and application-based outbound rules, trust and deny lists, and per-IP virtual network policies. It runs on Linux and supports Docker, systemd, and legacy init environments.
APF is available as free open-source software rather than a tiered commercial service. Its published feature set centers on local administration through shell scripts, a command-line utility, and annotated configuration files. That approach suits teams comfortable managing firewall policy directly on Linux hosts. Stateful connection tracking adds policy awareness for active connections, while IPv4 and IPv6 support, CIDR and FQDN controls, and packet sanity checks provide room for detailed network rules. Reactive address blocking and remote block-list support extend the policy beyond manually maintained entries.
The main trade-off is operational scope. APF focuses on firewall control at the individual Linux host and does not provide centralized management or integrations. Organizations seeking a shared administrative console or a broader connected ecosystem should choose a different firewall product. APF is a strong fit for Linux administrators who value granular local policies, outbound application controls, anti-spoofing checks, and Docker compatibility without a paid plan. It is less suitable for teams that need cross-host policy orchestration or management outside Linux.
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Advanced Policy Firewall pricing
Advanced Policy Firewall fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Outbound control | Advanced |
| Rule direction | Both |
| Connection alerts | Not verified |
| Application rules | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Linux |
| Central management | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | rfxn.com |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Advanced Policy Firewall
- FortiGateA broad hybrid firewall platform for organizations that need deep security and network controls.9.4
- Arista NG FirewallA broad firewall platform with a free plan and extensive network controls.9.3
- Google Cloud NGFWGoogle Cloud-native firewall protection with free rule evaluation and usage-priced advanced controls.9.2
See all Advanced Policy Firewall alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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