hexer

Free plan Linux

What hexer is

Hexer is a free multi-buffer editor for binary files, displaying buffer contents as a hex dump. Its interface is similar to vi/ex, and the documentation describes it as intended for Unix-like systems, with POSIX-compatible environments supported. Linux is the listed platform. Hexer is distributed as source: unpack an archive, run `make`, then run `make install` to install the binaries and manual. Version 1.0.7 is available as gzip, bzip2, and xz source tarballs, each with a PGP signature link. The build assumes a POSIX environment and requires termios and termcap support. The built-in calculator, myc, can be compiled as a command-line program with `make myc`. Version 1.0.7 includes a build fix for compilers such as GCC 15 and marks the start of MkDocs documentation and a Python test suite. The changelog says that suite currently tests little beyond a basic startup and one editing command. Hexer was written by Sascha Demetrio and is maintained by Peter Pentchev. The documentation lists scripting support; disk editing is not supported.

Who it suits

Hexer suits users who need a source-distributed, multi-buffer binary editor with a vi/ex-style interface. It is aimed at Unix-like and POSIX-compatible systems, with Linux listed as a platform.

What it does well

Free multi-buffer binary editor
Displays buffers as a hex dump
Source archives offered in three formats
Built-in calculator can be compiled separately

What to know first

Requires source compilation to install
Build requires POSIX, termios, and termcap support
Disk editing is not supported
Test suite covers only basic cases

Limits

Hexer is free, but disk editing is not supported. The current Python test suite checks little beyond startup and one editing command.

Getting started

Open the Hexer documentation or download page
Download a version 1.0.7 source archive in gzip, bzip2, or xz format
Verify the available PGP signature link if desired
Unpack the source archive
Run make in the source directory
Run make install to install the binaries and manual
Run make myc to build the calculator command

Verdict

Hexer offers a free, source-based option for multi-buffer binary editing in a vi/ex-like interface. Its POSIX build requirements and limited current test coverage are important considerations.

Questions

Is Hexer free?

Yes. Hexer is presented as free software with a free plan.

Which systems does Hexer support?

Linux is the listed platform. Its documentation targets Unix-like systems and says POSIX-compatible environments should be supported.

How is Hexer installed?

Download and unpack a source archive, run make, then run make install to install the binaries and manual.

What release is available?

The download page lists version 1.0.7, dated 2025-08-17, in gzip, bzip2, and xz source tarballs, each with a PGP signature link.

Does Hexer support scripting or disk editing?

Scripting support is listed. Disk editing is listed as unsupported.

Who maintains Hexer?

The project was written by Sascha Demetrio and is currently maintained by Peter Pentchev.

Facts from hexer's own pages

Build and install: The installation instructions say to unpack the source archive, run make, and then run make install to install the binaries and manual. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Build portability: Version 1.0.7 updated the build to work with compilers such as GCC 15 by enabling C99 features. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Build requirements: The changelog says the project assumes a POSIX environment and that its code requires termios and termcap support. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Calculator: The built-in calculator myc can be built as a command-line version with make myc. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Command options: The changelog says version 1.0.5 added command-line options for version and features information. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Download formats: Version 1.0.7 is offered as gzip, bzip2, and xz source tarballs, each with a PGP signature link. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Installation: Installation instructions say to unpack the source archive, run make, and then run make install to install the binaries and manual. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Interface: Its user interface is kept similar to vi/ex. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Latest listed release: The download page lists version 1.0.7, dated 2025-08-17. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Maintainer: The documentation says Hexer was written by Sascha Demetrio and is currently maintained by Peter Pentchev. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Maker identity: The documentation identifies the project maintainer and links to its GitLab repository; it does not state a company name, headquarters, or founding date. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Project age: The GitLab project page states that the project was created on April 14, 2015. · gitlab.com, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose: Hexer is a multi-buffer editor for binary files that displays its buffers as a hex dump. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Recent maintenance: Version 1.0.7 includes a build fix for compilers such as GCC 15 and marks the start of MkDocs documentation and a Python-based test suite. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Release status: The changelog lists version 1.0.7 dated 2025-08-17 and an Unreleased section. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Source releases: The download page lists source archives for version 1.0.7, dated 2025-08-17, in gzip, bzip2, and xz formats, each with a PGP signature. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Support contact: The project page lists the maintainer's email as [email protected]. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Supported systems: The documentation says Hexer is for Unix-like systems and that all POSIX-compatible environments should be supported. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Testing limit: The changelog describes the Python test suite as currently testing almost nothing beyond a trivial startup and one editing command. · hexer.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026

Where hexer stands on Freedom251

Hex Editors#25 of 32