Head-to-head · Decompiler Software
Reko vs Recaf
Reko leads on 1 check, Recaf on 2, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Free planboth
- Most featuresRecaf · 4 of 5
Our editors rank Reko at #5 and Recaf at #8 for decompiler software; Reko and Recaf have no rubric score yet (facts researched, not yet scored), so the checks below decide.
Reko offers native-code decompilation; Recaf doesn't. Recaf offers bytecode decompilation; Reko doesn't publish it. Recaf offers debugger integration; Reko doesn't publish it.
Reko is the better fit for free native decompilation across platforms. Recaf is the better fit for java and Android bytecode analysis.
- Reko fits best
Free native decompilation across platforms
- Recaf fits best
Java and Android bytecode analysis
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Side by side
| Feature | Reko —/10 Visit ↗ | Recaf —/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | — | — |
| Ranking | #5 in Decompiler Software | #8 in Decompiler Software |
| Best for | Free native decompilation across platforms | Java and Android bytecode analysis |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop, Self-hosted | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Reko 3/5 · Recaf 4/5 | ||
| Native-code decompilation | ✓ (best) | — |
| Bytecode decompilation | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Debugger integration | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Scripting API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plugin support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| License type | Free | Free |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Reko is an open-source toolchain for decompiling machine-code binary executables into higher-level output. It is aimed at reverse engineers, developers, and analysts who understand machine code or assembly language and need more than a… Read the review → |
Recaf is an open-source desktop tool for analyzing and editing compiled Java and Android applications. It is aimed at reverse engineering, malware analysis, Java modding, and other workflows involving JVM or Android bytecode. The product… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Reko — where it wins
- Free and open source with no commercial plan structure
- GUI, command-line, .NET API, and runtime library workflows
- Supports multiple architectures, formats, scripts, and plugins
Where it doesn't
- Intended for users familiar with machine code or assembly
- Debugger integration is not a stated strength
- Focused on machine-code executables rather than bytecode
Recaf — where it wins
- Edits bytecode and assembler, then recompiles changed classes
- Combines decompilation, search, obfuscation analysis, and live patching
- Free open-source desktop tool with Windows, macOS, Linux, and CLI support
Where it doesn't
- Does not target native-code decompilation
- Publishing currently centers on CI snapshots rather than regular independent releases
- Its verified integration breadth is limited
- Reko—/10 · Free plan
A free, extensible decompiler with GUI, CLI, API, scripting, and multi-architecture support.
Visit RekoFull verdict → - Recaf—/10 · Free plan
A capable free toolkit for inspecting, editing, and instrumenting Java and Android bytecode.
Visit RecafFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026