X-Ways Forensics

Paid#7 of 30 in Digital Forensics SoftwareComputer Forensics SoftwareFile Recovery Software

X-Ways Forensics: A deep Windows forensic toolkit with broad evidence analysis and case-management features. Ranked #7 of 30 in Digital Forensics Software by our editors (8.8/10); pricing: Paid; best for deep Windows forensic examination.

8.8/10★★★★☆Editor score

Try X-Ways Forensics

At a glance

• Editor score
  8.8 / 10
• Pricing
  Paid
• Best for
  Deep Windows forensic examination
• Free plan
  No
• Mobile forensics
  Yes
• Founded
  2002 · Bünde, Germany
• Facts checked
  20 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Analyzes physical, raw, ISO, VHD, VHDX, VDI, and VMDK evidence
  • Combines carving, memory analysis, search, tagging, and reporting
  • Supports multi-user case collaboration and an X-Tensions programming API

• Where it doesn't

  • Runs on Windows only
  • No free plan; licenses are paid
  • Mobile evidence analysis depends on compatible third-party tools and add-ons

Our verdict on X-Ways Forensics

X-Ways Forensics is a Windows desktop application for computer forensic examiners handling investigations across law enforcement, government, corporate, and specialist settings. Its scope covers disk imaging and cloning, raw and virtual disk image analysis, filesystem examination, deleted-partition identification, file carving, data recovery, memory-dump analysis, keyword search, evidence tagging, reporting, and case work. The application can run from a USB stick without installation, which suits portable forensic workflows.

The licensing structure supports either a one-year non-perpetual license or a perpetual license for indefinite use. The non-perpetual option is immediately usable with BYOD or BYOD+ and was listed at AUD 2,130 during research. The perpetual option is dongle-based or available with BYOD and was listed at AUD 5,469. The pricing page states that sales are final and generally does not accept returns. Both options are paid, so X-Ways Forensics is primarily suited to professional teams and practitioners who need a dedicated forensic environment rather than a free investigative utility.

Its strongest fit is deep Windows evidence examination. The published capabilities extend from physical disks, RAIDs, and filesystems to ISO, VHD, VHDX, VDI, VMDK, iTunes backups, and data imported through compatible third-party mobile tools. Investigators can index and search evidence, export search hits, manage cases, collaborate with multiple users, and produce HTML, tab-delimited text, or XML reports. Memory forensics, RAID and dynamic-disk interpretation, carving, and the X-Tensions programming API add breadth for specialist work. However, the Windows-only platform and paid licensing narrow its audience, while mobile workflows rely on compatible third-party acquisition tools and add-ons. Choose it for comprehensive Windows-focused forensic examination; consider an alternative if cross-platform operation or a self-contained mobile workflow is the priority.

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X-Ways Forensics pricing

All 2 X-Ways Forensics plans and prices →

X-Ways Forensics fact sheet

Alternatives to X-Ways Forensics

• AutopsyA free, cross-platform platform for broad, case-based digital investigations.9.4
• Paraben E3 Forensic PlatformA broad evidence-processing platform for teams handling varied digital investigations.9.3
• Magnet AXIOM CyberA broad investigation platform for collecting and analyzing endpoint, mobile, cloud, and memory evidence.9.2

See all X-Ways Forensics alternatives →

X-Ways Forensics vs the competition

• X-Ways Forensics vs Autopsy
• X-Ways Forensics vs Paraben E3 Forensic Platform
• X-Ways Forensics vs Magnet AXIOM Cyber
• X-Ways Forensics vs Exterro FTK Central
• OFX-Ways Forensics vs OpenText Forensic
• OFX-Ways Forensics vs Oxygen Forensic Detective

Compare X-Ways Forensics with any tool side by side →

Also Ranked In

X-Ways Forensics is ranked in 3 of our directories.

• #9Computer Forensics Software24 tools ranked→
• #46File Recovery Software47 tools ranked→

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Featured on iTechGuides

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update