Binary Formats & Hex Editors

Read and describe file structures by hand or with a grammar.

4 entries · reviewed 2026-10-10 · GitHub data 2026-10-26

Tool	Use it when	Cost	Last push · Stars
ImHex	Hex editor with a pattern language, data inspector and diffing for reverse engineering file formats.	Free	2026-10 · ★ 56k
010 Editor	Commercial hex editor whose binary templates parse hundreds of formats.	Paid	website
Kaitai Struct	Declarative format descriptions that compile to parsers in many languages, plus a web IDE.	Free	2026-10 · ★ 4.7k
Malcat	Hex editor, disassembler and analyser in one for fast file triage. ▶ runs	Free · Paid	website

Flags: ▶ runs code (use an isolated VM) · ☁ sends code to a third party · ◆ commonly impersonated (official link only) · ⚠ maintenance concern