Systems and methods for applying an adaptive loop filter (ALP) in video coding are provided. The method may include determining a first rate-distortion cost of applying the adaptive loop filter on a reconstructed block. The reconstructed block includes a reconstructed version of an image block of an image frame from a video. The method may further include determining a second rate-distortion cost of not applying the adaptive loop filter on the reconstructed block. The method may additionally include determining whether to apply the adaptive loop filter for processing the reconstructed block based on the first rate-distortion cost and the second rate-distortion cost.