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Apktool

Free#31 of 72 in Reverse Engineering Tools

Apktool: A focused, free CLI for decoding, editing, and rebuilding Android APKs. Ranked #31 of 72 in Reverse Engineering Tools by our editors (5.6/10); pricing: Free plan; best for android resource decoding and APK rebuilding.

5.6/10Editor score

Visit Apktool

Apktool5.6 Visit Apktool

At a glance

Editor score
5.6 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Android resource decoding and APK rebuilding
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Decompiler
No
Facts checked
25 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Decodes APK resources into readable project structures
- Rebuilds modified projects and supports smali debugging
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with CLI automation
Where it doesn't
- Not a source-level Java decompiler
- Static analysis is limited to Android APK workflows
- No plugin API or firmware-analysis capability

Our verdict on Apktool

Apktool is an open-source command-line utility for reverse engineering Android application packages. It decodes APK resources into a readable project structure, disassembles Dalvik bytecode into smali, and rebuilds packages after resource or application-file changes. Developers, security researchers, and Android analysts working with third-party binaries are the primary audience. The tool runs locally through a Java runtime and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with self-hosted desktop deployment.

Its open-source model provides a free plan rather than a tiered commercial offering. Work is performed through the command line, which suits repeatable decode and build tasks and allows automation for recurring workflows. Framework-file installation and management support Android projects that depend on platform resources. Documentation and community channels provide the stated support path, while the local deployment model keeps project processing on the user’s machine.

The strongest capability is the decode–modify–rebuild workflow: resource files become an organized project, smali code can be inspected and debugged step by step, and the result can be rebuilt into an APK. That depth is useful when Android resource structure and Dalvik instructions are the main focus. Apktool is less suitable for source-level Java decompilation, firmware analysis, or extensibility through plugins; its published category specifications identify static analysis, Android support, and no plugin API. Choose it for Android APK resource work and smali-oriented investigation, but consider another tool when broader reverse-engineering coverage is required.

Your product? Our editors can test Apktool in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Apktool pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on ibotpeaches.github.io

Apktool fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Decompiler	No
Firmware analysis	No
Analysis mode	Static
Plugin API	No
Supported platforms	Android
Supported architectures	Not verified
Deployment	Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	ibotpeaches.github.io
Facts checked	25 Sep 2026

Alternatives to Apktool

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Featured on iTechGuides

Apktool is listed in our Reverse Engineering Tools directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update