RetDec vs Recaf

RRetDec—Visit Recaf—Visit

R RetDec #7 in Decompiler Software —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit RetDec

vs

Recaf #8 in Decompiler Software —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Recaf

• RetDec fits best

  Open-source executable analysis

• Recaf fits best

  Java and Android bytecode analysis

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Side by side

Feature	RRetDec —/10 Visit ↗	Recaf —/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	—	—
Ranking	#7 in Decompiler Software	#8 in Decompiler Software
Best for	Open-source executable analysis	Java and Android bytecode analysis
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted, Desktop	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 RetDec 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	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	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	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	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	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 →	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

• 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

• 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

• RRetDec—/10 · Free plan

  A free, cross-platform decompiler for open-source executable analysis.

  Visit RetDecFull verdict →
• Recaf—/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit RecafFull verdict →