dhex

dhex is a free, ncurses-based hex editor for comparing binary files. It is best suited to terminal users who need to inspect differences or track changes between file iterations. Its focused comparison tools are useful, but it is not a general-purpose binary workbench.

Overview

dhex’s clearest strength is its diff mode: it compares two binary files, while search logs help track changes across iterations. That combination suits focused inspection and comparison, especially for users comfortable with a terminal interface. The trade-off is narrow scope: dhex has no binary templates, scripting, plugins, or disk editing.

The maker says dhex is known to run on Linux, HP-UX, FreeBSD, NetBSD, MacOS X, IRIX, and Solaris. Linux and macOS are the supported platforms for this offering, so those are the clearest choices for prospective users.

Key features

• Binary comparison: Diff mode is useful when the job is to locate differences between two binary files. Version 0.64 introduced a basic correlator that may help match an object file to an executable for comparison. Avoid that version: the maker warns that it crashes at startup on some systems.
• Search and change tracking: Search logs offer a way to track changes across file iterations. Version 0.66 added command-line searches for quoted strings as well as single words, which is useful when looking for text within binary content.
• Partial memory dumps: Version 0.67 added a base-address option when loading a file. That makes dhex more relevant for users inspecting partial memory dumps.
• Terminal customization: The ncurses interface fits terminal workflows, and version 0.66 added header-color settings in the .dhexrc file. Users can also download themes or send their own to [email protected], with DHEX included in the theme header.

Pricing

dhex is free: its plan costs nothing. There is no free trial because the software is offered as a free plan. That makes it a straightforward option for individual users who want binary comparison without a software charge; the cost advantage does not change its limits, including the lack of templates, scripting, plugins, and disk editing.

Platforms

Linux and macOS are the stated platforms. The maker also names HP-UX, FreeBSD, NetBSD, MacOS X, IRIX, and Solaris among systems where dhex is known to run, broadening its potential fit for users on those systems.

Who it's for

Choose dhex if you work in a terminal and need to compare binary files, follow changes between iterations, or inspect a partial memory dump with a base address. It is less suitable for workflows that depend on templates, automation through scripting, plugins, or disk editing.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Binary diffing and search logs serve comparison and change-tracking work in one focused editor.
• Pro: Command-line searches, quoted-string support, and a configurable base address address specific terminal and memory-dump tasks.
• Con: No templates, scripting, plugins, or disk editing limits its usefulness for broader binary workflows.
• Con: The maker warns against version 0.64 because it crashes on some systems, so users should choose another version.

Alternatives

For a wider choice of tools, browse Hex Editors. If platform reach matters, HexEd.it is free and supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. For Minecraft Bedrock Edition worlds, Bedrock Viz is a free option for Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.

BinEd is a free, open-source editor with Android as well as Linux, macOS, web, and Windows support. Hecate is free MIT-licensed software for Linux, macOS, and Windows, while ImHex is a free open-source hex editor for those same desktop platforms. REHex is a free GPL-2.0 option with Windows, macOS, and Linux packages. Choose wxHexEditor if disk editing is important; it is a free hex editor and disk editor. wxMEdit may suit text and column editing alongside hex work, with hex mode supporting files up to 32GB.

Verdict

dhex is a sensible free choice for terminal users on Linux or macOS whose priority is binary comparison and change tracking. Its narrow feature set is the main reason to look elsewhere: choose a broader editor if you need templates, scripting, plugins, or disk editing.