Head-to-head · ROM Hacking Tools
HxD vs Lazy Shell
HxD leads on 0 checks, Lazy Shell on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 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 featuresLazy Shell · 3 of 3
HxD scores higher on our rubric for rom hacking tools: 7.2 against 7.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.
HxD is the better fit for general-purpose Windows hex editing. Lazy Shell is the better fit for editing Super Mario RPG ROM content.
- HxD fits best
General-purpose Windows hex editing
- Lazy Shell fits best
Editing Super Mario RPG ROM content
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Side by side
| Feature | HxD 7.2/10 Visit ↗ | Lazy Shell 7.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.2 | 7.0 |
| Ranking | #3 in ROM Hacking Tools | #5 in ROM Hacking Tools |
| Best for | General-purpose Windows hex editing | Editing Super Mario RPG ROM content |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | None | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features HxD 0/3 · Lazy Shell 3/3 | ||
| ROM editing | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Tile/sprite editing | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Hex editor | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Patch formats | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Supported platforms | Not checked yet | Windows |
| 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 → |
Lazy Shell is a free Windows desktop editor for modifying elements in the US version of the Super Mario RPG ROM. Its audience is hackers working on that game who want a single application for maps, graphics, scripts, audio, and other ROM… 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
Lazy Shell — where it wins
- Edits maps, NPCs, exits, event fields, and map layers.
- Combines sprite, palette, script, audio, and hex editors.
- Previews levels and scripts through SNES9X or ZSNES.
Where it doesn't
- Focused on the US version of Super Mario RPG, not multiple games.
- Requires Windows and Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 or higher.
- Previewing depends on SNES9X or ZSNES.
- HxD7.2/10 · Free plan
A broad Windows hex editor for binary work, rather than a ROM-specific hacking suite.
Visit HxDFull verdict → - Lazy Shell7.0/10 · Free plan
A free, game-specific toolkit for editing Super Mario RPG maps, graphics, scripts, audio, and data.
Visit Lazy ShellFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update