dhex
dettus.net
What it is
dhex is a free hex editor for inspecting binary files and comparing two of them in diff mode. It uses a terminal interface built on ncurses and is listed for Linux and macOS; the maker also says it is known to run on HP-UX, FreeBSD, NetBSD, MacOS X, IRIX, and Solaris. Search logs can help track changes between file iterations, and the editor supports themes that users can download or submit to the maker. Command-line search can find single words and quoted strings. The .dhexrc configuration file can set header colors, while a base-address option can help when loading partial memory dumps. A correlator introduced in version 0.64 can help match an object file to an executable for comparison. The maker provides downloads including version 0.69, listed as the latest update for the 0.6x branch and dated 19 January 2019. The maker warns that version 0.64 crashes at startup on some systems. dhex is free, with no free trial.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- DHEX is a hex editor with a diff mode for comparing two binary files.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Platforms
- The maker says DHEX is known to run on Linux, HP-UX, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Mac OS X, IRIX, and Solaris.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Support
- The maker asks users to send themes to [email protected] and to include DHEX in the theme header.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Maker
- The site's owner contact is Thomas Dettbarn, with a listed address in Fuerth, Germany.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Base address
- Version 0.67 added the ability to set a base address when loading a file, to help work with partial memory dumps.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Change tracking
- Search logs can be used to track changes across different iterations of files.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Command-line search
- Version 0.66 added command-line searching for quoted strings, in addition to single words.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Configuration
- Version 0.66 added an option to set header colors in the .dhexrc file.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Correlator
- Version 0.64 included a naive correlator that could help match an object file to an executable for comparison.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Downloads
- The maker's page provides downloads for DHEX versions, including version 0.69.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Latest listed version
- The page lists version 0.69, dated 19 January 2019, as the latest update for the 0.6x branch.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Partial memory dumps
- Version 0.67 added an option to set a base address when loading a file, to make working with partial memory dumps easier.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Quoted string search
- Version 0.66 added command-line searching for quoted strings as well as single words.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Search logs
- DHEX uses search logs to help track changes across different iterations of files.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Supported systems
- The maker says dhex is known to run on Linux, HP-UX, FreeBSD, NetBSD, MacOS X, IRIX and Solaris.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Technology
- DHEX is based on ncurses.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Terminal interface
- The site says dhex is based on ncurses and can run in a range of systems and scenarios.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Themes
- DHEX is themeable, and the maker invites users to send in themes or download themes from the site.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
- Version warning
- The maker warns users not to download version 0.64 because it crashes at startup on some systems.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
Plans and prices
dhex Free Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Compares two binary files in diff mode
- Search logs track changes between file iterations
- Command-line search includes quoted strings
- Base-address option helps load partial memory dumps
Limits
- Version 0.64 crashes at startup on some systems
- Latest listed 0.6x update dates to 19 January 2019
- No binary templates, scripting, plugins, or disk editing
Who it suits
dhex suits users who want a terminal-based hex editor with binary comparison, command-line search, and change tracking. Its listed platforms include Linux and macOS, with additional systems noted by the maker.
Verdict
dhex combines terminal-based binary editing with diff comparison and search-history tracking. Check the version warning and feature limits before choosing it.
Where Specifiction places it
- Hex Editors#7 of 328.2