Hex Fiend
hexfiend.com
What it is
Hex Fiend is a free, open-source hex editor for macOS that can insert, delete, rearrange, and overwrite binary data. It can search large files and compare them while accounting for insertions and deletions. The editor does not keep files in memory or require a full file to be loaded. Its smart saving avoids rewriting unchanged portions and does not require temporary disk space. The maker says it can handle files as large as users can create and reports testing files up to 118 GB. A data inspector interprets values as signed or unsigned integers and floating-point numbers in big- or little-endian formats. Scripted binary templates visualize file structure, and an embeddable framework provides hex and data views under a permissive BSD-style license. The official site lists version 2.18.1 and requires macOS 10.14.6 or later. The Mac App Store distribution collects no data and makes no network requests; the direct-download distribution checks for updates without collecting or storing user data. Hex Fiend is notarized for macOS 10.14 and later.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Hex Fiend is a fast, clever open-source hex editor for macOS.Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.com
- Security
- Hex Fiend has been notarized for added security on macOS 10.14 and later.Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.github.io
- Privacy
- The Mac App Store distribution collects no data and performs no network requests.Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.com
- Binary diff
- It compares files while accounting for insertions and deletions.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Binary templates
- Binary templates visualize file structure through scripting.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Current download
- The official site lists Hex Fiend 2.18.1 and requires macOS 10.14.6 or later.Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.com
- Data inspector
- The data inspector interprets values as signed or unsigned integers and floating-point numbers in big- or little-endian formats.Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.com
- Editing
- It supports inserting, deleting, rearranging, and overwriting binary data.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Embeddable framework
- Hex Fiend's framework lets applications embed hex and data views under a permissive BSD-style license.Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.github.io
- Large files
- Hex Fiend can handle files as large as the user can create, and has been tested on files up to 118 GB.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Memory use
- It does not keep files in memory and does not require the entire file to be loaded.Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.github.io
- Origin
- The maker's 2006 announcement describes Hex Fiend as free and developed as an experiment in handling huge files.Read 1 Oct 2026 · ridiculousfish.com
- Saving
- Smart saving avoids rewriting unchanged portions and does not require temporary disk space.Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.github.io
- Search
- The editor provides fast searching through large files.Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.com
- Update checks
- The direct-download distribution uses Sparkle to check for new versions without collecting or storing user data.Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.com
Plans and prices
Hex Fiend Free macOS only · open source · BSD-style license Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Edits binary data without loading the entire file.
- Binary comparison accounts for insertions and deletions.
- Smart saving avoids rewriting unchanged portions.
- Free and open source under a BSD-style license.
Limits
- Requires macOS 10.14.6 or later.
- Available only for macOS.
Who it suits
Hex Fiend suits macOS users who need to inspect, search, compare, or edit binary files. Its framework may also suit application developers who want to embed hex and data views.
Verdict
Hex Fiend combines binary editing and comparison with tools for inspecting values and visualizing file structures. It is limited to macOS, with version 2.18.1 listed on the official site.
Where Specifiction places it
- Hex Editors#16 of 327.5