Side by side
hexer vs WinHex
Both stand on hex editors. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Linux
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.
Visit hexer Free trial Windows
WinHex brings disk, memory, recovery and security tools into a portable Windows hexadecimal editor. Its evaluation version can be converted with a license, but multi-computer use requires additional licensing.
Visit WinHexThe facts
| hexer | WinHex | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | A free trial |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux | Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | hexer.readthedocs.io | x-ways.net |
| On hex editors | #25 of 32 | #29 of 32 |
hexer: 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
WinHex: what it does well
- Supports many disk and file-system types
- RAM editor for physical and virtual memory
- Drive imaging and DOS cloning
- Binary comparison, templates and scripting
- Portable without special installation
What to know first
- Paid software from $45.90
- No free plan
- Additional licenses needed for more computers
- Disk-sector editing can alter evidence