Head-to-head · Digital Forensics Software
Autopsy vs X-Ways Forensics
Autopsy leads on 1 check, X-Ways Forensics on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreAutopsy · 9.4/10
- Free planonly Autopsy
- Most featuresX-Ways Forensics · 4 of 4
Autopsy scores higher on our rubric for digital forensics software: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.
Autopsy offers free plan; X-Ways Forensics doesn't.
Autopsy is the better fit for broad investigations on a free, open platform. X-Ways Forensics is the better fit for deep Windows forensic examination.
- Autopsy fits best
Broad investigations on a free, open platform
- X-Ways Forensics fits best
Deep Windows forensic examination
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Side by side
| Feature | Autopsy 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | X-Ways Forensics 8.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 8.8 |
| Ranking | #1 in Digital Forensics Software | #7 in Digital Forensics Software |
| Best for | Broad investigations on a free, open platform | Deep Windows forensic examination |
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | — |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Autopsy 0/4 · X-Ways Forensics 4/4 | ||
| Mobile forensics | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Disk imaging | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Memory forensics | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Case collaboration | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Evidence sources | Not checked yet | Raw DD images, ISO, VHD, VHDX, VDI, VMDK, physical disks, RAIDs, filesystems, Android/iOS data imported through third-party tools, iTunes backups |
| Supported platforms | Not checked yet | Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11 and Windows Server 2008/2012/2016/2019/2022/2025 |
| Export formats | Not checked yet | HTML, tab-delimited text, XML |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Autopsy is an open-source digital forensics platform and graphical interface to The Sleuth Kit and other investigation tools. It is designed for law enforcement, military, corporate investigation, litigation support, and national security… Read the review → |
X-Ways Forensics is a Windows desktop application for computer forensic examiners handling investigations across law enforcement, government, corporate, and specialist settings. Its scope covers disk imaging and cloning, raw and virtual… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Autopsy — where it wins
- Covers disk, media, mobile, timeline, hash, and artifact analysis
- Supports collaboration across multiple examiners on shared cases
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with an extensible module architecture
Where it doesn't
- Paid training, support, and custom modules are separate offerings
- Its broad feature set is centered on forensic investigation workflows
- Advanced workflows may depend on available modules and examiner expertise
X-Ways Forensics — where it wins
- Analyzes physical, raw, ISO, VHD, VHDX, VDI, and VMDK evidence
- Combines carving, memory analysis, search, tagging, and reporting
- Supports multi-user case collaboration and an X-Tensions programming API
Where it doesn't
- Runs on Windows only
- No free plan; licenses are paid
- Mobile evidence analysis depends on compatible third-party tools and add-ons
- Autopsy9.4/10 · Free plan
A free, cross-platform platform for broad, case-based digital investigations.
Visit AutopsyFull verdict → - X-Ways Forensics8.8/10 · Paid
A deep Windows forensic toolkit with broad evidence analysis and case-management features.
Try X-Ways ForensicsFull verdict →
Autopsy vs X-Ways Forensics: questions
Which is better for digital forensics software, Autopsy or X-Ways Forensics?
Autopsy scores higher on our rubric for digital forensics software: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.
How do Autopsy and X-Ways Forensics compare?
Of the 5 checks we put side by side, Autopsy leads on 1, X-Ways Forensics on none, and 4 are level. Free plan only on Autopsy.
Do Autopsy and X-Ways Forensics have a free plan?
Autopsy: Yes. X-Ways Forensics: No.
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- Autopsy vs OSForensics
- Paraben E3 Forensic Platform vs X-Ways Forensics
- Magnet AXIOM Cyber vs X-Ways Forensics
All digital forensics software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update