Head-to-head · ROM Hacking Tools
HxD vs Echoes of Eolis
HxD leads on 0 checks, Echoes of Eolis on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreHxD · 7.2/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresEchoes of Eolis · 2 of 3
HxD scores higher on our rubric for rom hacking tools: 7.2 against 6.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.
HxD is the better fit for general-purpose Windows hex editing. Echoes of Eolis is the better fit for editing maps, graphics, and scripts for Faxanadu.
- HxD fits best
General-purpose Windows hex editing
- Echoes of Eolis fits best
Editing maps, graphics, and scripts for Faxanadu
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Side by side
| Feature | HxD 7.2/10 Visit ↗ | Echoes of Eolis 6.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.2 | 6.7 |
| Ranking | #3 in ROM Hacking Tools | #8 in ROM Hacking Tools |
| Best for | General-purpose Windows hex editing | Editing maps, graphics, and scripts for Faxanadu |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | None | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo |
| Features HxD 0/3 · Echoes of Eolis 2/3 | ||
| ROM editing | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Tile/sprite editing | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Hex editor | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Patch formats | Not checked yet | IPS |
| Supported platforms | Not checked yet | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Game scope | Not checked yet | Specific game |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | HxD is a Windows desktop hex and disk editor for people who need to inspect or modify binary data. Its scope includes files, raw disks and drives, and main memory, so it suits general-purpose hex editing more than a workflow centered on… Read the review → |
Echoes of Eolis is a desktop editor for hacking Faxanadu, the NES game, aimed at people who want to change the game’s maps, graphics, data, or scripts. Its scope extends beyond map editing: it covers tilemaps, screen transitions, doors,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
HxD — where it wins
- Search and replace text, hex values, integers, and floats
- Compare files and generate CRC, SHA-1, SHA-512, and MD5 digests
- Offers portable and installable editions with unlimited undo
Where it doesn't
- Windows desktop software only
- File comparison is described as simple
- General-purpose editing lacks a ROM-specific focus
Echoes of Eolis — where it wins
- Edits maps, sprites, game data, cinematics, and scripts in one tool
- Exports patched ROMs, IPS patches, and XML project files
- Offers GUI and command-line tools on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Where it doesn't
- Focused on Faxanadu rather than a broad range of games
- Graphic exports for external editing are BMP files
- Precompiled builds are listed for Windows and macOS
- HxD7.2/10 · Free plan
A broad Windows hex editor for binary work, rather than a ROM-specific hacking suite.
Visit HxDFull verdict → - Echoes of Eolis6.7/10 · Free plan
A focused desktop editor for changing Faxanadu maps, graphics, game data, and scripts.
Try Echoes of EolisFull verdict →
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All ROM hacking tools comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update