Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

JADX

Free#10 of 24 in Decompiler SoftwareReverse Engineering Tools

JADX: A free, local Android decompiler with GUI, CLI, resource decoding, and Smali debugging. Ranked #10 of 24 in Decompiler Software by our editors (7.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free Android APK and DEX decompilation.

7.7/10Editor score
Visit JADX
JADX7.7 Visit JADX

At a glance

  • Editor score
    7.7 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Free Android APK and DEX decompilation
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    Free
  • Native-code decompilation
    No
  • Facts checked
    20 Sep 2026
JADX screenshot

  • Where it wins

    • Supports APK, DEX, AAR, AAB, and ZIP inputs with resource decoding
    • Combines GUI navigation, search, deobfuscation, and Smali debugging
    • Free, open source, cross-platform, and available through GUI or CLI workflows

  • Where it doesn't

    • Focused on Dalvik bytecode rather than native-code decompilation
    • Verified integrations and scripting APIs are limited
    • Requires local downloadable GUI or command-line distributions

Our verdict on JADX

JADX is an open-source decompiler for developers, reverse engineers, and security researchers working with Android applications. It produces Java source code from Dalvik bytecode in APK and DEX files, while also supporting AAR, AAB, and ZIP inputs. The tool runs locally on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with graphical and command-line distributions. It can also be used as a Java library, making it suitable for examining Android application code and resources without a paid plan.

Its main strength is the breadth of its Android-focused analysis workflow. JADX decodes AndroidManifest.xml and compiled Android resources, includes deobfuscation capabilities, and provides syntax highlighting, declaration navigation, usage search, and full-text search in the graphical interface. The GUI also includes a Smali debugger. For users who prefer automation or configurable exports, the command-line interface offers decompilation and export options. Plugin installation, listing, updating, enabling, and disabling add a way to manage extensions within the tool.

JADX is a strong fit when free, open-source APK or DEX decompilation is the priority, particularly for users who want both visual inspection and command-line access. Its scope is narrower for workflows centered on native-code decompilation, since its documented focus is Dalvik bytecode. Verified integrations and scripting APIs are limited, so teams seeking a broader integration layer may prefer a different decompiler. For Android-focused code recovery, resource inspection, searching, and Smali debugging, JADX offers a focused feature set without subscription tiers.

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

JADX pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on github.com

JADX fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromFree
Native-code decompilationNo
Bytecode decompilationYes
Debugger integrationYes
Scripting APINot verified
Plugin supportYes
License typeFree
DeploymentDesktop
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux
SupportCommunity, Docs
Built forSolo, Small business (editorial estimate)
PricingFree plan
Websitegithub.com
Facts checked20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to JADX

See all JADX alternatives →

Also Ranked In

JADX is ranked in 2 of our directories.

Used JADX? Be the first to review it

The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used JADX for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears

Reviews come only from verified accounts. Sign in or create an account first — your e-mail is never shown.

Your rating

0 characters · at least 80, up to 3,000

Posted from your verified account. Reviews appear after an editor reads them, usually within two working days.

Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — JADX 7.7/10

JADX is listed in our Decompiler Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/jadx/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/jadx.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated · How we research and update