HxD

Free plan Windows

What HxD is

HxD is a Windows hex editor for working with files, raw disks and main memory (RAM). Its feature list says it can open and edit files up to 8EB quickly. Search and replace handles Unicode text, hexadecimal values, integers and floating-point values, with forward, backward or all-direction search. Other tools include checksums and digests, byte-pattern insertion, file shredding, splitting and concatenation, statistics, and binary comparison. The checksum generator includes Checksum, CRC variants, Custom CRC, SHA-1, SHA-512 and MD5. HxD exports source code, formatted text, HTML, Richtext, TeX, Intel HEX and Motorola S-record files. The disk editor reads and writes hard disks, floppy disks, ZIP disks, USB flash drives, CDs and other drives. HxD lists unlimited undo for file, disk and memory edits, as well as clipboard support for several other hex editors. It is free for private and commercial use, and comes in installable and portable editions. Disk editing requires appropriate privileges; on Windows Vista and later, the disk must be unmounted before writing.

Who it suits

HxD suits Windows users who need to inspect or edit file contents, disks or RAM, with search, checksum, export and binary comparison tools. Its free license permits private and commercial use.

What it does well

Free for private and commercial use.
Installable and portable editions are available.
Lists unlimited undo for file, disk and memory edits.
Exports to formats including HTML and Intel HEX.
Handles search across text and numeric values.

What to know first

Available for Windows only.
Disk editing requires appropriate privileges.
Writing requires unmounting the disk on Vista and later.

Limits

HxD has no listed paid tier; the free plan covers private and commercial use. Disk editing requires appropriate privileges, and on Windows Vista and later a disk must be unmounted before writing.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
HxD	Free for private and commercial use · Windows	Free

As mh-nexus.de lists them, read 3 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the HxD website.
Download the installable or portable edition for Windows.
Install HxD or use the portable edition, which writes only into its selected folder during setup.
For disk editing, obtain administrator rights or appropriate privileges.
On Windows Vista and later, unmount a disk before writing to it.

Verdict

HxD offers a broad set of hex-editing tools at no cost for private or commercial use. Check its Windows and disk-privilege requirements before relying on it for drive edits.

Questions

How much does HxD cost?

HxD is free and is free for private and commercial use.

Which platforms does HxD support?

HxD is available for Windows. The listed current version supports Windows XP, 2003, Vista, 7, 8, or 10.

Can HxD edit disks and memory?

Yes. It edits raw disks and main memory as well as files. Disk editing requires appropriate privileges, and writing requires a disk to be unmounted on Windows Vista and later.

Does HxD support plugins?

Yes. Its open source data inspector plugin framework supports plugins written in C, C++, Delphi, or another language that can use a C API interface.

Does HxD have a portable edition?

Yes. HxD is available as both an installable and a portable edition. The portable edition can run with minimal privileges and writes only into its selected folder during setup.

What checksums and exports does HxD support?

The checksum generator includes Checksum, CRCs, Custom CRC, SHA-1, SHA-512, and MD5. Export formats include source code, formatted text, HTML, Richtext, TeX, Intel HEX, and Motorola S-record files.

Facts from HxD's own pages

Checksums: The checksum generator includes Checksum, CRCs, Custom CRC, SHA-1, SHA-512, and MD5. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Clipboard compatibility: The page lists clipboard support for other hex editors including Visual Studio/Visual C++, WinHex, HexWorkshop, and RegEdit. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Compatibility: The listed current version is 2.5.0.0 for Windows XP, 2003, Vista, 7, 8, or 10. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Disk editing requirements: On Windows NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7 and higher, disk editing requires administrator rights or appropriate privileges; beginning with Vista, a disk must be unmounted before writing. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Disk editor: The disk editor supports raw reading and writing of hard disks, floppy disks, ZIP disks, USB flash drives, CDs, and other drives. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Download integrity: The download page provides SHA-1 and SHA-512 file signatures. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Editing features: It includes searching and replacing, exporting, checksums and digests, byte pattern insertion, file shredding, splitting and concatenation, and statistics. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Editions: HxD is available as installable and portable editions; the portable edition can run with minimal privileges and writes only into its selected folder during setup. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Export formats: HxD exports source code, formatted text, HTML, Richtext, TeX, Intel HEX, and Motorola S-record files. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
File size: The features list says files up to 8EB can be opened and edited quickly. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
License: The license permits free use for any purpose, including commercial applications, and redistribution subject to its conditions; selling HxD itself is not allowed. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Plugin framework: The maker’s site says the open source data inspector plugin framework supports plugins written in C, C++, Delphi, or another language that can use a C API interface. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Purpose: HxD is a hex editor that also edits raw disks and main memory (RAM), and handles files of any size. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Search: Search and replace supports text including Unicode, hex values, integers, and floats, with forward, backward, and all directions. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026
Undo: The product page lists unlimited undo, including for disk and memory edits. · mh-nexus.de, 3 Oct 2026

Where HxD stands on Freedom251

Hex Editors#21 of 32