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RetDec

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RetDec's own site

What RetDec is

RetDec is a free, LLVM-based machine-code decompiler that reconstructs functions, types, and higher-level constructs into C or a Python-like language. It supports ELF, PE, Mach-O, COFF, AR archives, Intel HEX, and raw machine code, with listed architectures including 32-bit x86, ARM, MIPS, PIC32, and PowerPC, plus 64-bit x86-64 and ARM64. Its analysis features include static executable analysis, compiler and packer detection, and loading and instruction decoding. RetDec can use DWARF and PDB debugging information, rebuild C++ class hierarchies using RTTI and vtables, and demangle GCC, MSVC, and Borland symbols. An integrated disassembler can generate call graphs, control-flow graphs, and statistics. Related repositories provide plugins for IDA and Radare2. RetDec can be downloaded as a pre-built package, built from source, or run in Docker. The project lists Windows 7 or later, Linux, macOS, and experimental FreeBSD support. Installation needs about 5 to 6 GB of free disk space, and the project is in limited maintenance mode, with possible issue-response delays of up to one quarter.

Who it suits

RetDec suits developers and analysts who need to inspect machine code across its listed formats and architectures. Users should be prepared for a substantial installation and limited project maintenance.

What it does well

  • Free software under the MIT license.
  • Supports multiple executable formats and architectures.
  • Uses DWARF and PDB debugging information.
  • Offers pre-built, source, and Docker deployment options.
  • Generates call graphs and control-flow graphs.

What to know first

  • Installation needs about 5 to 6 GB of disk space.
  • FreeBSD support is experimental.
  • Project maintenance is very limited.
  • Nightly builds may be unreliable and contain regressions.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
RetDecOpen-source software; MIT licenseFree

As github.com lists them, read 3 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Open the RetDec GitHub repository
  2. Choose a pre-built package, source build, or Docker deployment
  3. Use a supported Linux, macOS, or Windows environment
  4. Allow about 5 to 6 GB of free disk space for installation

Verdict

RetDec provides broad format and architecture support, with decompilation output and analysis tools available at no charge. Its limited maintenance and installation requirements are important considerations for ongoing use.

Questions

Is RetDec free?

Yes. The listed plan is free at 0.00 USD, and the project states that RetDec is open source under the MIT license.

Which operating systems does RetDec support?

The project lists Windows 7 or later, Linux, and macOS. FreeBSD support is experimental.

What file formats and architectures can it analyze?

Formats include ELF, PE, Mach-O, COFF, AR archives, Intel HEX, and raw machine code. Supported architectures include 32-bit x86, ARM, MIPS, PIC32, PowerPC, and 64-bit x86-64 and ARM64.

How can I install or run RetDec?

You can download a pre-built package, build it from source, or run it in a Docker container.

Does RetDec integrate with IDA or Radare2?

Related repositories provide plugins that embed RetDec into IDA and Radare2.

Is RetDec actively maintained?

The project says maintenance is limited and development is very limited; issue responses may be delayed by up to one quarter.

Facts from RetDec's own pages

Analysis features
Features include static executable analysis, compiler and packer detection, and loading and instruction decoding. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
C++ analysis
It detects and reconstructs C++ class hierarchies using RTTI and vtables, and demangles GCC, MSVC, and Borland symbols. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Debug data
It extracts and uses DWARF and PDB debugging information. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Deployment
RetDec can be downloaded as a pre-built package, built from source, or run in a Docker container. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Graphs and disassembly
It includes an integrated disassembler and can generate call graphs, control-flow graphs, and statistics. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Integrations
Related repositories provide plugins that embed RetDec into IDA and Radare2. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Intended use of nightly builds
The project says nightly builds are mainly for developers, contributors, and experimentation, and warns they may not work reliably and may contain regressions. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
License
The project states that it is licensed under the MIT license and also incorporates a modified PeLib library under the zlib/libpng license for its original sources. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Output
It reconstructs functions, types, and high-level constructs and outputs C or a Python-like language. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Platforms and storage
The project lists Windows 7 or later, Linux, macOS, and experimental FreeBSD support, and says an installation needs about 5 to 6 GB of free disk space. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Security
The repository links to a security policy, but its policy page displayed a loading error when opened. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Support and maintenance
The repository says the project is in limited maintenance mode: issues may receive responses with delays up to one quarter, and development is very limited. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Supported architectures
It supports 32-bit Intel x86, ARM, MIPS, PIC32, and PowerPC, plus 64-bit x86-64 and ARM64 (AArch64). · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Supported formats
It supports ELF, PE, Mach-O, COFF, AR archives, Intel HEX, and raw machine code. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
What it does
RetDec is a retargetable machine-code decompiler based on LLVM. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026

Where RetDec stands on Freedom251

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