Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dynamically balancing workloads among data flow processors based on flow characteristics of data flows. The system determines a flow characteristic score associated with the data flow based on results from deep packet inspection of data packets in the data flow. The system further determines load scores associated with a plurality of processors. A load balancer of the system selects a processor among the plurality of processors for processing the data flow based on the flow characteristic score associated with the data flow. The system monitors workload levels of respective processors by periodically receiving performance data associated with the respective processors. The performance data includes flow characteristic scores of data flows being processed. Based on the current status of the workload distribution among the plurality of processors, the system regenerates load scores and re-balancing the workloads by re-distributing data flows to the respective processors.