Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Ghidra VS X64dbg

Compare Ghidra VS X64dbg and see what are their differences

Ghidra logo Ghidra

Software Reverse Engineering (SRE) Framework

X64dbg logo X64dbg

X64dbg is a debugging software that can debug x64 and x32 applications.
  • Ghidra Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-25
  • X64dbg Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-28

Ghidra features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    Ghidra is free to use and its source code is publicly available, allowing users to modify and enhance the tool to suit their needs.
  • Multi-platform Support
    Ghidra is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users regardless of their operating system.
  • Powerful Disassembly
    It comes with a powerful disassembly engine that supports multiple architectures, enabling in-depth analysis of binary code.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tool features a graphical user interface (GUI) that simplifies navigation and enhances user experience, especially for those who may not be comfortable with command-line tools.
  • Collaboration Features
    Ghidra allows multiple users to collaborate on the same project in real-time, facilitating team efforts in reverse engineering tasks.
  • Scripting Support
    It supports scripting in both Python and Java, allowing users to automate repetitive tasks and extend the functionality of the tool.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Ghidra has comprehensive documentation and an active community, providing users with resources and support to get started and troubleshoot issues.

Possible disadvantages of Ghidra

  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and capabilities, there can be a steep learning curve for new users, requiring time and practice to master.
  • Performance
    Some users have reported performance issues, such as slow loading times and lag, particularly when working with large binaries.
  • Limited Debugging Features
    Ghidra’s debugging features are not as comprehensive as those offered by some other reverse engineering tools, potentially limiting its utility for certain tasks.
  • Java Dependency
    Ghidra requires a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) to run, which may be a drawback for users who prefer or require environments that do not support Java.
  • Complex Installation
    The installation and setup process can be complex and may require additional configuration, which can be daunting for beginners.
  • Less Intuitive for Certain Tasks
    While the GUI is user-friendly for many tasks, some users find it less intuitive for specific, advanced reverse engineering functions compared to other specialized tools.

X64dbg features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    X64dbg features an intuitive and user-friendly graphical interface that makes it easier for both beginners and experienced users to navigate and operate the debugger.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, X64dbg allows users to examine the source code, contribute to its development, and customize it to fit their specific needs.
  • Active Community and Support
    X64dbg boasts a vibrant community that provides regular updates, plugins, and extensive documentation, which enhances the tool's functionality and usability.
  • Plugin Support
    X64dbg supports plugins, enabling users to extend its capabilities and integrate with other tools or custom features.
  • Compatibility
    X64dbg supports both 32-bit and 64-bit executables, providing flexibility for a wide range of reverse engineering and debugging tasks.

Possible disadvantages of X64dbg

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, X64dbg can still present a steep learning curve for beginners who are not familiar with debugging concepts and tools.
  • Performance Overheads
    Running X64dbg can sometimes introduce performance overheads, especially when debugging complex or heavily obfuscated executables.
  • Stability Issues
    Like many powerful tools, X64dbg can occasionally suffer from stability issues, such as crashes or unexpected behavior during complex debugging sessions.
  • Limited GUI Customization
    While the interface is user-friendly, there is limited scope for customization of the GUI, which might be a drawback for users who prefer a highly personalized setup.
  • Windows-Only
    X64dbg is primarily designed for Windows operating systems, which limits its usability for developers working on other platforms like Linux or macOS.

Ghidra videos

NSA Ghidra, A game changer ?

More videos:

  • Review - Ghidra Review
  • Tutorial - Ghidra quickstart & tutorial: Solving a simple crackme

X64dbg videos

Bypassing Anti Debuggers With x64dbg and CE

More videos:

  • Review - x64dbg: Analyze a malware dll's exported function with cmdline arguments
  • Tutorial - Reverse Engineering/Game Patching Tutorial: Full Res Roller Coaster Tycoon with Ghidra+x64dbg+Python

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Ghidra and X64dbg)
IDE
52 52%
48% 48
Software Development
52 52%
48% 48
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0
OS & Utilities
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Ghidra and X64dbg. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Ghidra and X64dbg

Ghidra Reviews

Reverse engineering tools review
It may not be entirely up to the functionality of HexRays at the moment (remember that Ghidra is a new project), but tools such as decompilers require a lot of work and it is rare to see a new product that someone offers for free.
Source: www.pelock.com
The 5 Best Reverse Engineering Software for 2022
Ghidra's graphical user interface (GUI) is built on Java's Swing framework with a decompiler written in C++ and plugins written in Python. Besides its reverse engineering capabilities, Ghidra features powerful debugging features for both Windows and Linux.6
Source: online.yu.edu

X64dbg Reviews

Reverse engineering tools review
Number of supported features is really impressing, plugins, built-in scripting language, Yara signatures scanning, built-in decompiler and many more. And it's development is very active. Taking the fact that 64 bit OllyDbg never left the development stage, x64dbg has become de facto standard debugger for 64 bit applications.
Source: www.pelock.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Ghidra seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 65 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Ghidra mentions (65)

  • Ask HN: How are you using LLMs for traversing decompiler output?
    I've only played a with this, but it was impressive. https://ghidra-sre.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 days ago
  • I've figured out what 13 of the 16 enemy flags mean in Ultima V. Help me figure out the last three.
    I've got no experience with reverse-engineering executables, but I got a bunch of code-like stuff showing up when I fed ULTIMA.EXE to Ghidra and told it to analyze it with all the flags set. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Modding SH2
    The whole game is written in C++ (game logic intertwined with graphics). Ghidra can help you deconstruct the game binaries, but you need to put in a GREAT great effort to even get a starting point. Cheat Engine has been successful for some purposes, including an AI enabling utility for multiplayer (use with great care!). Source: over 1 year ago
  • You have probably heard of Temu right?
    What I think you’re talking about is reverse engineering. It’s basically taking a program and analysing the compiled code to attempt to find out how it works. It’s a fairly expansive topic, and fairly tricky to do but look at anything to do with Ghidra to get started. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Asking for clarification ... How is learning C beneficial for becoming a Cyber security expert
    Oh also just as an aside Ghidra is a really cool free tool developed by the NSA which can reverse engineer software by looking at its executable and recreating the C code from the instructions and static data within. It's another way to get familiarized with the relationship between C code and the instructions it compiles to. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

X64dbg mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of X64dbg yet. Tracking of X64dbg recommendations started around Jul 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Ghidra and X64dbg, you can also consider the following products

IDA - The best-of-breed binary code analysis tool, an indispensable item in the toolbox of world-class software analysts, reverse engineers, malware analyst and cybersecurity professionals.

OllyDbg - OllyDbg is a 32-bit assembler level analysing debugger.

Binary Ninja - A reverse engineering platform and GUI

WinDbg - WinDbg is a multipurposed debugger for Microsoft Windows, distributed on the web by Microsoft as...

Cutter - Open Source RE Platform powered by radare2.

Immunity Debugger - Immunity Debugger is a powerful new way to write exploits, analyze malware, and reverse engineer...