Obfuscar review
A free, configurable choice for .NET metadata renaming and string hiding.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Obfuscar is an open-source .NET assembly obfuscator from LeXtudio Inc., distributed under the MIT license. It is designed for developers who need to make decompiled .NET code harder to follow without adopting a paid product. The tool renames types, methods, properties, events, fields, and namespaces, and supports string hiding through encoded string data and lookup methods. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with .NET assemblies as its supported target.
Configuration is the central part of Obfuscar's workflow. XML files define assemblies, dependencies, output paths, and inclusion or exclusion rules for types and members. Configuration fragments allow settings to be split across files, while controls for public and private APIs help preserve selected interfaces during obfuscation. The published distribution options—NuGet package and .NET global tool—fit build-oriented command-line workflows and desktop development environments. Strong-name assembly re-signing is available through a key file or key container, which is relevant when protected assemblies need to retain a signing process.
Obfuscar's main advantage is its narrow, configurable focus: it provides free metadata obfuscation, string hiding, API controls, and signing support without a paid tier structure. Its stated scope does not extend to verified control-flow or anti-tamper protection, so teams seeking those protection layers should evaluate another tool. Choose Obfuscar when .NET renaming and related configuration controls are the priority; choose an alternative when broader defensive techniques or a specified integration ecosystem are required.
Obfuscar pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Renames broad .NET metadata categories through XML rules
- Hides strings and controls public and private API visibility
- Supports NuGet, .NET global tool, and strong-name re-signing
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on .NET assemblies rather than broader target types
- Control-flow and anti-tamper protection are outside its stated scope
- No integrations are specified beyond CLI-oriented distribution
Obfuscar fact sheet, pricing and score →
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