Ghidra

Free plan Open source APIExtensionLinuxMacSelf-hostedWindows

What Ghidra is

Ghidra is a free software reverse-engineering framework maintained by the NSA Research Directorate. It analyzes compiled code with tools for disassembly, assembly, decompilation, graphing, and scripting, and supports a wide range of processor instruction sets and executable formats. It can run interactively or in automated modes and is intended to address scaling and collaboration needs in complex reverse-engineering work. Users can create extensions and scripts in Java or Python. Development resources include a GhidraDev plugin for Eclipse and support for editing scripts and creating module projects in Visual Studio Code. The project describes compiled-code analysis on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Installation requires a 64-bit JDK 25 and an official multi-platform release archive. Ghidra is provided under the Apache License, Version 2.0. The repository warns that certain versions have known security vulnerabilities and points users to its security advisories. Its security policy directs vulnerability reports to GitHub private vulnerability reporting rather than public issues.

Who it suits

Ghidra suits people analyzing compiled software who need disassembly, decompilation, scripting, or team workflows. It also supports users who want to extend their analysis with Java or Python.

What it does well

Includes disassembly, decompilation, graphing, and scripting
Supports many processor instruction sets and executable formats
Runs interactively or in automated modes
Extensions and scripts can use Java or Python

What to know first

Installation requires a 64-bit JDK 25
Certain versions have known security vulnerabilities
Vulnerability reports should use private reporting, not public issues

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Ghidra	Free download and use · no paid editions stated	Free

As github.com lists them, read 15 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Ghidra project website on GitHub.
Install a 64-bit JDK 25.
Download an official multi-platform release archive.
Use Ghidra on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Develop extensions or scripts with Java or Python, if needed.

Verdict

Ghidra offers a broad set of compiled-code analysis tools across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Check the security advisories for version-specific vulnerabilities, and account for the JDK requirement before installation.

Questions

How much does Ghidra cost?

Ghidra is free. The listed plan is free.

Which operating systems does Ghidra support?

The project describes compiled-code analysis on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

What does Ghidra analyze?

It analyzes compiled code using disassembly, assembly, decompilation, graphing, and scripting tools. It supports a wide range of processor instruction sets and executable formats.

Can users extend Ghidra?

Yes. Users can develop extensions and scripts using Java or Python.

What is required to install Ghidra?

The installation instructions require a 64-bit JDK 25 and an official multi-platform release archive.

What license does Ghidra use?

The project includes the Apache License, Version 2.0, which grants no-charge, royalty-free copyright and patent licenses subject to its terms.

Facts from Ghidra's own pages

Analysis features: Its tools include disassembly, assembly, decompilation, graphing, and scripting for analyzing compiled code. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Analysis tools: The suite includes disassembly, assembly, decompilation, graphing, scripting and many additional analysis tools. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Build requirements: Source builds require JDK 25, Gradle 9.1.0 or newer, Python 3.9 through 3.15 and platform C/C++ build tools. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Build system: Development uses Gradle, Git and Eclipse, with documented tasks for building natives, Javadocs, PyGhidra packages and distributions. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Collaboration: The official announcement lists a multi-user collaboration repository and undo/redo support. · nsa.gov, 15 Oct 2026
Decompiler: The product translates low-level machine code into higher-level C-like output through its decompiler. · ghidralite.net, 15 Oct 2026
Developer languages: The developer guide lists Java as primary and C++, Sleigh, Python 3 and Jython 2.7 as secondary languages. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Development integrations: The project documents a GhidraDev plugin for Eclipse and support for editing scripts and creating module projects in Visual Studio Code. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Disclosure process: The security policy describes private triage and says an advisory may be published sometime after an official release containing the patch. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Documentation depth: The installation includes documentation, release notes, API files, tutorials and online help, while the user guide explicitly excludes architecture and programming-API details. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Extensibility: Users can develop Ghidra extensions and scripts using Java or Python. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Extension architecture: Ghidra uses installable extensions and plugins, including Eclipse, Ghidra extensions and IDA Pro transfer plugins. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
IDE integrations: The project supplies the GhidraDev Eclipse plugin, an Eclipse Sleigh editor and Visual Studio Code script and module-project support. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Independent comparison: GhidraLite.net describes Ghidra as free, open source, multi-platform and equipped with decompilation, scripting and plugin support. · ghidralite.net, 15 Oct 2026
Independent editor rating: GhidraLite.net gives Ghidra an editorial rating of 4.7 out of 5. · ghidralite.net, 15 Oct 2026
Independent platform description: SourceForge lists the mirrored project for Linux, Mac and Windows and states that it is not affiliated with Ghidra. · sourceforge.net, 15 Oct 2026
Installation requirement: The repository's installation instructions require a 64-bit JDK 25 and an official multi-platform release archive. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Install limitation: Archive installation does not create desktop shortcuts or Start-menu entries automatically. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Install method: Ghidra is distributed as an archive to extract in place rather than through a traditional installer. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Interactive and automated modes: Ghidra runs as an interactive application or in automated headless mode. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Licence: The main Ghidra software is released under Apache License 2.0, with separate GPL-3 support programs and other third-party licenses. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
License: The repository includes the Apache License, Version 2.0, which grants no-charge, royalty-free copyright and patent licenses subject to its terms. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Limit: build burden: TopGit notes that Windows source builds require Visual Studio or Build Tools with MSVC, Windows SDK and C++ ATL. · topgit.dev, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: learning curve: TopGit says users seeking a quick binary inspection may find the JDK setup and desktop interface demanding, and describes a real learning curve. · topgit.dev, 15 Oct 2026

Where Ghidra stands on Freedom251

Reverse Engineering Tools#2 of 73
Decompiler Software#1 of 24