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FireHOL

Free#57 of 76 in Firewall Software

FireHOL: A focused, open-source choice for administrators who prefer configuration-driven Linux firewall control. Ranked #57 of 76 in Firewall Software by our editors (3.5/10); pricing: Open source; best for linux administrators building iptables firewalls.

3.5/10Editor score

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FireHOL3.5 Visit FireHOL

At a glance

Editor score
3.5 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Linux administrators building iptables firewalls
Paid from
Free
Outbound control
Advanced
Facts checked
22 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Supports stateful IPv4 and IPv6 filtering with kernel connection tracking
- Covers local and routed traffic, NAT, services, logging, and both directions
- Provides operational commands including panic, try, restart, status, and save
Where it doesn't
- Linux-only, with no support for other listed operating systems
- Command-oriented configuration requires comfort with firewall rules and services
- No verified central management or integration layer is provided

Our verdict on FireHOL

FireHOL is an open-source language and command-line program for generating stateful iptables packet-filtering firewalls on Linux hosts and routers. It is designed for administrators who want to define interfaces, routed traffic, clients, servers, services, and packet-matching conditions in readable configuration files. The scope fits both individual Linux systems and more complex routed networks, with support for local and forwarded traffic, IPv4 and IPv6, and filtering in both directions.

Its strongest technical fit is breadth within the firewall rule layer. FireHOL supports kernel connection tracking for stateful filtering, source and destination NAT, and packet matching by interface, source, destination, protocol, and ports. Service definitions let administrators control client and server traffic without reducing the configuration to isolated low-level packet conditions. It also logs indirectly dropped packets for troubleshooting. These capabilities make it suitable when outbound control, inbound filtering, routing, and address translation need to be expressed in one configuration-driven tool.

Operationally, FireHOL stays focused on the Linux command line rather than presenting a broader management platform. Administrators can use panic, try, stop, restart, status, and save commands, while installation is available from source or Linux distribution packages. That model suits teams managing Linux firewalls directly and wanting an open-source approach. It is a weaker fit for organizations seeking cross-platform administration, verified central management, integrations, or higher-level firewall features. Choose FireHOL for direct control of Linux iptables policies; consider an alternative when centralized governance or a broader ecosystem is the priority.

Your product? Our editors can test FireHOL in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

FireHOL pricing

Plans Open sourceFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on firehol.org

FireHOL fact sheet

Free plan	Not verified
Paid from	Free
Outbound control	Advanced
Rule direction	Both
Connection alerts	Yes
Application rules	Not verified
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	Open source
Website	firehol.org
Facts checked	22 Sep 2026

Alternatives to FireHOL

See all FireHOL alternatives →

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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used FireHOL for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

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Featured on iTechGuides

FireHOL is listed in our Firewall Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update