scanmem

Overview

scanmem is a free memory-scanning utility for Linux and Android builds, aimed at debugging and process-memory inspection. It is a strong fit for users prepared to work with process IDs and scan results; those seeking a polished, self-contained desktop interface should weigh the extra setup involved in GameConqueror.

Its command line and separate graphical front end cover both scripted searches and visual editing, but the Linux runtime requirements and int default call for care before a scan begins.

Key features

Scanning starts with a process ID and values observed at different times. Repeated searches narrow possible addresses, making scanmem useful when a value’s location is unknown but its behavior can be observed. Exact-value searches, changed or unchanged comparisons, increased or decreased comparisons, snapshots, and string searches are supported. Version 0.17 adds snapshot and update support for string and bytearray scans.

Commands can monitor a match as its value changes and set values for a selected match or all known matches. The default scan data type is int, which is a meaningful constraint: users searching for another type must change it through the option command rather than assume the default fits.

For repeatable command-line workflows, version 0.17 adds options to run commands before interactive mode and to exit when an initial command fails. The command-line frontend is separate from libscanmem, the scanning library, so the project is not a single integrated application.

GameConqueror provides a graphical alternative for searching values, choosing regions and search types, and editing or locking selected addresses. Its process finder and memory browser/editor make it more approachable for visual inspection, while flexible search syntax and variable locking extend beyond a simple value search. It remains a separate front end with its own dependency stack.

Pricing

scanmem costs nothing. It is open source under GPLv3, while libscanmem is LGPLv3; GameConqueror is GPLv3. There is no paid tier or trial to compare, so the trade-off is not feature access by plan but the installation and configuration work needed to use the tools.

Platforms

The project describes scanmem as a Linux memory scanner and documents an Android build using a standalone Android NDK toolchain. On Linux, interactive commands require libreadline and a mounted /proc filesystem. Building from source uses autotools, with instructions for builds with or without the GUI.

GameConqueror requires libscanmem, Python 2 or 3, PyGObject, GTK+ 3, and policykit. That list makes the GUI a less convenient choice where those components are difficult to install or maintain. The project points users to man pages, command-line help, the interactive prompt, and GameConqueror’s interactive help. GitHub reports no security policy file and no published security advisories.

Who it's for

scanmem suits Linux users debugging a running process or tracing changing values, especially those comfortable with command-line interaction and memory inspection. Its scripting options and scan comparisons suit repeatable or incremental searches. GameConqueror is the better fit for users who want a GUI to find, edit, or lock game values, provided its dependencies are acceptable.

It is a weaker choice for anyone expecting pointer scanning: the capability is marked unavailable. Android users should also expect a documented build path rather than a turnkey GUI experience.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Multiple comparison modes, snapshots, strings, monitoring, and value-setting support iterative investigation rather than only one-shot searches.
• Pros: Free, open-source licensing and a separate library make the scanning component distinct from its command-line frontend.
• Cons: The int default can lead users toward the wrong search type unless they deliberately change it.
• Cons: Linux requirements and GameConqueror’s additional dependencies make setup more involved than the GUI alone may suggest.
• Cons: Pointer scanning is not supported, limiting its fit for workflows that depend on that capability.

Alternatives

For a broader set of game-memory editor options, browse Game Memory Editors. PINCE is another free Linux reverse engineering tool under GPLv3+, worth considering when that framing better matches the job. chromedp is a free, open-source Go package for Linux, macOS, Windows, API, and self-hosted environments; choose it when a Go-based package fits better, noting its Go 1.25-or-newer requirement. DOSBox Cheat Engine is free and supports Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, but requires DOSBox Staging 0.83 or newer.

CoSMOS offers a free Linux and Windows option with no registration, locked features, adware, or hidden software. ReClass.NET is a free MIT-licensed option for Linux and Windows, supplied without warranty. ArtMoney has a free Windows SE edition with some features unavailable and a PRO plan at $24.90, paid once; choose it if Windows support or its paid edition is preferable. Bit Slicer is a free, open-source option for macOS 10.8 or later. ProMod offers a free iOS and macOS option, with its mobile plan limited to six mods toggled on at a time.

Verdict

Choose scanmem if you want a free, scriptable way to narrow and modify process values on Linux and are comfortable managing the command line or its GUI dependencies. Its range of comparison scans and monitoring commands is the main draw. Look elsewhere if pointer scanning is essential, or if you need a simpler, integrated interface without the Linux-specific setup.