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Head-to-head · Decompiler Software

Reko vs Recaf

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Reko #5 in Decompiler Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Reko
Recaf #8 in Decompiler Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Recaf

Reko leads on 1 check, Recaf on 0, and 5 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

  • Highest scoreReko · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresRecaf · 4 of 5

Reko scores higher on our rubric for decompiler software: 8.4 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Reko offers native-code decompilation; Recaf doesn't.

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 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Recaf 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.9
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 Free plan Free plan
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 checked yet ✓ (best)
Debugger integration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Scripting API ✓ ✓
Plugin support ✓ ✓
Specs
License type Free Free
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • 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
Cons
  • Intended for users familiar with machine code or assembly
  • Debugger integration is not a stated strength
  • Focused on machine-code executables rather than bytecode
  • Does not target native-code decompilation
  • Publishing currently centers on CI snapshots rather than regular independent releases
  • Its verified integration breadth is limited
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 →
  1. RekoDecompiler Software 8.4Free plan
  2. RecafDecompiler Software 7.9Free plan

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
  • Reko8.4/10 · Free plan

    A free, extensible decompiler with GUI, CLI, API, scripting, and multi-architecture support.

    Visit RekoFull verdict →
  • Recaf7.9/10 · Free plan

    A capable free toolkit for inspecting, editing, and instrumenting Java and Android bytecode.

    Visit RecafFull verdict →

More comparisons

All decompiler software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update