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Head-to-head · Computer Forensics Software

The Sleuth Kit vs Autopsy

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score The Sleuth Kit #5 in Computer Forensics Software 8.4/10 Open source ✓ 2 of 5 features Visit The Sleuth Kit
Autopsy #7 in Computer Forensics Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Autopsy

The Sleuth Kit leads on 0 checks, Autopsy on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreThe Sleuth Kit · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly Autopsy
  • Most featuresThe Sleuth Kit · 2 of 5

The Sleuth Kit scores higher on our rubric for computer forensics software: 8.4 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.

The Sleuth Kit is the better fit for technical examiners who want open-source disk analysis. Autopsy is the better fit for budget-conscious teams needing case-based disk analysis.

  • The Sleuth Kit fits best

    Technical examiners who want open-source disk analysis

  • Autopsy fits best

    Budget-conscious teams needing case-based disk analysis

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Side by side

Feature The Sleuth Kit 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Autopsy 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.9
Ranking #5 in Computer Forensics Software #7 in Computer Forensics Software
Best for Technical examiners who want open-source disk analysis Budget-conscious teams needing case-based disk analysis
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features The Sleuth Kit 2/5 · Autopsy 0/5
Disk imaging ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Mobile forensics ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Memory forensics Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cloud forensics Not checked yet Not checked yet
Timeline analysis Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Concurrent examiner licenses Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Analyzes raw/dd, E01, VHD, VMDK, and AFF images
  • Examines deleted content, metadata, hashes, and file activity timelines
  • C and C++ APIs support integration into larger forensic applications
  • Free, open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Shared cases support collaboration across multiple examiners
  • Combines search, timelines, hash management, extraction, and reporting
Cons
  • Command-line toolkit, not a full case-management application
  • Self-hosted deployment requires a technical workflow
  • Mobile support is limited to documented YAFFS2 file-system support
  • Desktop deployment may not suit teams seeking a hosted service
  • The module architecture may require added work to extend investigations
  • Paid training, support, and custom modules are separate offerings
Our verdict

The Sleuth Kit is an open-source C library and collection of command-line tools for examining disk and file-system images. It is aimed at technical examiners and developers who want to inspect partitions, metadata, deleted or hidden…

Read the review →

Autopsy is an open-source digital forensics application for teams investigating digital evidence, including law enforcement, corporate investigations, litigation support, and national security work. Its case-based workflow brings evidence…

Read the review →
  1. The Sleuth KitComputer Forensics Software 8.4Open source
  2. AutopsyComputer Forensics Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • The Sleuth Kit — where it wins

    • Analyzes raw/dd, E01, VHD, VMDK, and AFF images
    • Examines deleted content, metadata, hashes, and file activity timelines
    • C and C++ APIs support integration into larger forensic applications

    Where it doesn't

    • Command-line toolkit, not a full case-management application
    • Self-hosted deployment requires a technical workflow
    • Mobile support is limited to documented YAFFS2 file-system support

  • Autopsy — where it wins

    • Free, open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Shared cases support collaboration across multiple examiners
    • Combines search, timelines, hash management, extraction, and reporting

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop deployment may not suit teams seeking a hosted service
    • The module architecture may require added work to extend investigations
    • Paid training, support, and custom modules are separate offerings

More comparisons

All computer forensics software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update