Head-to-head · Decompiler Software
Reko vs RetDec
Reko leads on 0 checks, RetDec 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
- Free planboth
Our editors rank Reko at #5 and RetDec at #7 for decompiler software; Reko and RetDec have no rubric score yet (facts researched, not yet scored), so the checks below decide.
Reko is the better fit for free native decompilation across platforms. RetDec is the better fit for open-source executable analysis.
- Reko fits best
Free native decompilation across platforms
- RetDec fits best
Open-source executable analysis
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Side by side
| Feature | Reko —/10 Visit ↗ | RetDec —/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | — | — |
| Ranking | #5 in Decompiler Software | #7 in Decompiler Software |
| Best for | Free native decompilation across platforms | Open-source executable analysis |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop, Self-hosted | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Reko 3/5 · RetDec 3/5 | ||
| Native-code decompilation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bytecode decompilation | Not published | Not published |
| Debugger integration | Not published | Not published |
| 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 → |
RetDec is a locally installed, open-source machine-code decompiler based on LLVM for reverse engineers, security researchers, developers, and teams analyzing executable files. It supports ELF, PE, Mach-O, COFF, archives, Intel HEX, and raw… 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
RetDec — where it wins
- Analyzes ELF, PE, Mach-O, COFF, archives, Intel HEX, and raw machine code
- Reconstructs C++ classes, symbols, types, functions, and higher-level constructs
- Generates C or Python-like output, disassembly, call graphs, and control-flow graphs
Where it doesn't
- The official repository describes the project as being in limited maintenance mode
- Locally installed workflows may require more technical setup than hosted tools
- Its focus is executable analysis rather than an all-purpose reverse-engineering suite
- Reko—/10 · Free plan
A free, extensible decompiler with GUI, CLI, API, scripting, and multi-architecture support.
Visit RekoFull verdict → - RetDec—/10 · Free plan
A free, cross-platform decompiler for open-source executable analysis.
Visit RetDecFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026