When it comes to protecting websites and applications from common web threats, finding a free, self-hosted Web Application Firewall (WAF) that’s actually powerful can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
That’s why SafeLine WAF immediately caught my attention — it’s open-source, feature-rich, and actively developed. After giving it an initial spin, here’s what I found.
What Is SafeLine WAF?
SafeLine is a self-hosted WAF designed to detect and block malicious traffic before it reaches your application. Developed by Chaitin Technology, it’s fully free for the community edition and can be deployed on Linux servers, Docker, or even in homelab setups. Unlike many commercial WAFs that are cloud-only, SafeLine lets you keep control over your own infrastructure.
Key Features I Tested
1. Simple Installation
I tried installing SafeLine using its Docker-based setup. The installation steps were straightforward:
- Just copy the installation script
bash -c "$(curl -fsSLk https://waf.chaitin.com/release/latest/manager.sh)" -- --en
- Run it, follow prompts
- Access the management panel via browser
It took under 10 minutes to get a working WAF up and running.
2. Modern, Clean UI
The dashboard is easy to navigate. You can quickly check request logs, rule hits, and blocked attempts without digging into server logs manually.
3. Semantic Analysis Protection
SafeLine comes with a semantic analysis engine that can block:
- SQL Injection attempts
- XSS (Cross-site scripting)
- RCE (Remote code execution)
- Common scanners and exploit tools etc.
I simulated some attacks from a testing machine, and the WAF successfully blocked them while showing detailed logs.
4. Custom Rules
I liked how easy it was to create a custom rule. For example, I could block requests from a specific country or suspicious IP range in just a few clicks.
5. Performance
For my small test site, there was no noticeable latency. CPU and memory usage remained low under moderate traffic.
Pros
- 100% free community edition
- Self-hosted (full control over your data)
- Active development and documentation
- Quick to install
- Flexible and unlimited custom rules
Cons
- No DNS challenge support yet (for Let’s Encrypt SSL)
- Fewer integrations compared to big-name commercial WAFs
- Some advanced features require the paid edition
Verdict
For anyone looking for a free, capable, and self-hosted WAF, SafeLine is worth trying. It’s especially appealing to developers, sysadmins, and homelab enthusiasts who want security without sacrificing control.
While there’s still room for growth in integrations and advanced automation, SafeLine already delivers solid protection out of the box.
You can learn more and install it directly on your Linux right now by following this guide:
https://docs.waf.chaitin.com/en/GetStarted/Deploy
Want to try all the Pro features? No need to leave messages to them.
You can simply get a 7-day trial license from their official website with US$1: https://ly.safepoint.cloud/ShZAy9x