Side by side
dnSpyEx vs ImHex
Both stand on reverse engineering tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxWindows
dnSpyEx combines debugging, decompilation, editing, and assembly analysis at no cost. Its dynamic-method limitation and Wine-based Linux use are important constraints.
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Free plan LinuxMacWindows
ImHex combines byte editing with parsing, analysis, YARA scanning, and community extensions. Check the GPU and macOS requirements against your system before installing.
Visit ImHexThe facts
| dnSpyEx | ImHex | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | imhex.werwolv.net |
| On reverse engineering tools | #18 of 73 | #22 of 73 |
dnSpyEx: what it does well
- Debugs .NET Framework, .NET, and Unity assemblies
- Edits C#, Visual Basic, and low-level IL
- Includes decompilers, disassembly, and assembly analysis
- Free and GPLv3-licensed
What to know first
- Dynamic methods cannot be debugged
- Linux use is through Wine, not native support
- Unity game debugging also requires the Unity Mono repository
ImHex: what it does well
- Pattern Language can parse and highlight defined structures.
- Includes YARA scanning with match navigation.
- Content Store provides community resources.
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Software-rendered releases are available.
What to know first
- Generally requires a GPU supporting OpenGL 3.0.
- macOS release binaries require macOS 15 or higher.
- Older macOS versions require compiling from source.
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