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JEB

pnfsoftware.com

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Spec score 9.0 #2 of 73 in Reverse Engineering Tools

What it is

JEB is a reverse-engineering platform for disassembly, decompilation, debugging, and analysis of code and document files. Its Android tools support static and dynamic app analysis, including multi-dex decompilation, resource reconstruction, and debugging of Dalvik and native code. Other modules address Intel x86 and x86-64, ARM, MIPS, RISC-V, WebAssembly, Ethereum contracts, Siemens S7 PLC programs, and PDF documents. Python or Java scripts and plugins can automate analysis, including through headless front ends. The GUI runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS for x64 and arm64 systems and requires JDK 21 or above. JEB Community Edition is free and described as suitable for researchers, students, hobbyists, and nonprofit reverse engineers; its listed plan covers x86 and x86-64 decompilation. The separate demo restricts decompilation, disables project saving and loading and clipboard use, limits session time, and requires an internet connection. Paid plans include Android modules from $140 per user per month and JEB Pro from $2,000 per user per year. PNF Software was founded in 2013 and is based in Silicon Valley, California.

Spec sheet

What it does
JEB is a modular reverse-engineering platform for disassembly, decompilation, debugging and analysis of code and document files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Purpose
JEB is a reverse-engineering platform for disassembly, decompilation, debugging, and analysis of code and document files.Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Support
Priority support costs 30% extra, promises replies within one business day, prioritizes bugs and can deliver fixes outside normal releases.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Headquarters
Silicon Valley, California, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Founded
2013Read 28 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Company
PNF Software is located in Silicon Valley, California, and was founded by Nicolas Falliere in 2013.Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
AI and integrations
JEB's VIBRE assistant and MCP server connect to OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, and AWS Bedrock compatible endpoints, and MCP clients including Codex CLI, Claude CLI, OpenCode, and LM Studio.Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Android analysis
Its Android tooling performs static and dynamic analysis, including multi-dex Dalvik decompilation, resource reconstruction and obfuscation refactoring.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Android debugging
JEB debugs Dalvik and native Intel or ARM code and can hook sensitive APIs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
API and SDK
JEB exposes Java and Python APIs for scripts, plugins, analysis modules and custom front ends under the com.pnfsoftware.jeb namespace.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Automation API
Users can write scripts and plugins in Python or Java and build headless front ends for automated analysis.Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Change: JEB 5.40
The May 6, 2026 release added a Java Embedded Python runner, improved API documentation and broadened JDK support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Change: JEB 5.48
The October 7, 2026 release hardened ELF parsing, upgraded emulators, fixed dexdec optimizers and added MCP bytecode and asynchronous script tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Company customers
LinkedIn says hundreds of paying customers use JEB, including government agencies, defense contractors, antivirus vendors, laboratories, universities and technology companies.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company founding
PNF Software says Nicolas Falliere founded the company in 2013 in Silicon Valley, California.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Company legal record
A California business directory reports PNF Software, Inc. as an active Cupertino corporation filed on January 8, 2015.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bizprofile.net
Company size
LinkedIn lists PNF Software as a public software-development company with 2–10 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Demo limits
The demo limits decompilation to a subset of code, disables saving and loading projects and clipboard use, has time-limited sessions, and requires an internet connection.Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Desktop platforms
The GUI runs on Windows, Linux/GTK and macOS, each in x64 and arm64 variants.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Developer repository
PNF's public JEB sample-code repository contains client, plugin and script examples and is shown with 223 stars and 52 forks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Documentation depth
The manual covers installation, analysis workflows, debugging, Android, native, WebAssembly, Ethereum, S7, MCP, scripting, plugins, front ends and configuration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Documentation limitation
The manual says its user section is not exhaustive and directs readers to the blog for additional use cases.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Extensibility
Client scripts are generally Python, back-end plugins are Java, and users can provide intermediate-representation optimizers and headless clients.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Floating license
A floating license allows up to its licensed seat count to connect concurrently, with a seat freed when a client leaves.Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Free edition audience
JEB Community Edition is described as suitable for researchers, students, hobbyists, and reverse engineers at nonprofit organizations.Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
G2 listing
G2's alternatives page identifies JEB Decompiler but displays no JEB star rating or review count.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Installation model
Registered users receive a custom-generated ZIP package electronically by email containing the back end and desktop UI client.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
License model
JEB is proprietary commercial software; the company sells subscriptions, while some separate plugins are open sourced.Read 15 Oct 2026 · en.wikipedia.org
Limit: Community Edition scope
Reddit commenters report that the Community Edition does not support APK analysis.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: decompilation certainty
An independent Android-protection guide cautions that some methods may fail to decompile and another representation may be required.Read 15 Oct 2026 · android-app-protection.com
Limit: large applications
The same guide characterizes JEB Pro as slower on large applications and commercially expensive.Read 15 Oct 2026 · awakewiki.org
Limit: pricing
Reddit commenters describe the Android license as expensive at roughly $1,100 per year and complain that there is no perpetual license.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
MCP integration
JEB includes an MCP server with tools for project operations, APK analysis, scripts and decompiler events.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Native and other targets
Its modules cover Intel x86 and x86-64, ARM, MIPS, RISC-V, WebAssembly, Ethereum contracts, Siemens S7 PLC programs, and PDF documents.Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Native architectures
The product includes decompilers or analysis modules for x86, ARM, MIPS, RISC-V, WebAssembly, Ethereum, Nvidia SASS and Siemens S7 code.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Offline operation
Paid license tiers advertise offline work, and manual key generation is available for machines without internet access.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
PDF analysis
Its PDF module parses document structure, handles corrupt or complex streams, extracts embedded JavaScript and emits suspicious-area notifications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Praise: difficult obfuscation
An independent static-analysis guide calls JEB Pro strongest for obfuscated code, citing interactive deobfuscation, scripting and anti-decompilation handling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · awakewiki.org
Praise: interactive workflow
The same discussion praises JEB's cross-references, renaming, hybrid debugging and broad Android analysis workflow.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: obfuscated APKs
A Reddit reverse-engineering discussion reports that JEB works very well on heavily obfuscated APK files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Priority support
Eligible JEB Pro license holders can add priority support for 30% of the license cost, with replies within one business day and prioritized bug reports.Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Rating on SaaSHub
No rating shown; 0 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · saashub.com
RISC-V limits
RISC-V support covers RV32/RV64 integer operations and common extensions, while RV128, RVE, vector and other exotic extensions are unsupported.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
Security feature
The Android dex emulator can use Java SecurityManager sandboxing for additional security, although that API is deprecated in modern Java.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
System requirements
The current desktop client requires a Java SE JDK 21 or newer, with JDK 24 and above currently discouraged.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
x86 decompiler
The x86 modules output pseudo-C, offer partial MSVC class recovery and C++ decompilation, and expose interactive refactoring and APIs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com

Plans and prices

JEB Community Edition Free x86/x64 focus · researchers, students, hobbyists and nonprofits · most disassemblers and file analyzers Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
JEB Community Edition Free Entirely free x86 and x86-64 decompilation · researchers, students, hobbyists, and nonprofit reverse engineers Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
JEB Demo Free subset decompilation · no project save/load · no clipboard · time-limited sessions · internet required Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
JEB Android $140 a month Monthly Android modules · official UI · extensions · offline use Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
JEB Android $140 a month Monthly @ $140 / user Android modules · official UI client · extensions · offline work Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
JEB Android $1,200 a year Yearly @ $1,200 / user Android modules · official UI client · extensions · offline work Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
JEB Android $1,200 a year Yearly Android modules · official UI · extensions · offline use Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
JEB Pro $2,000 a year Yearly @ $2,000 / user All modules · official UI client · extensions · offline work Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
JEB Pro $2,000 a year Yearly All modules · official UI · extensions · offline use · third-party clients Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
JEB Pro Floating $4,000 a year Yearly @ $4,000 / seat All modules · floating seats · official UI client · extensions Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
JEB Pro Floating $4,000 a year Yearly All modules · floating seats · extensions · offline use Read 15 Oct 2026 · pnfsoftware.com
JEB Pro OEM $8,000 a year Yearly @ $8,000 / server All modules · SaaS/back-end integrations · third-party front-end clients Read 29 Sep 2026 · pnfsoftware.com

Every JEB plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Static and dynamic Android analysis
  • Modules cover code and document targets
  • Python and Java scripting and plugins
  • Free Community Edition for x86 and x86-64 decompilation

Limits

  • GUI requires JDK 21 or above
  • Demo has time-limited sessions
  • Demo requires an internet connection

Who it suits

JEB suits reverse engineers, researchers, students, and hobbyists working with the formats and architectures it supports. Its scripting options may suit teams automating analysis.

JEB in depth

Read the full write-up

JEB is a reverse-engineering platform for examining Android apps, native code, and other software and document targets. It suits practitioners who need broad module coverage or automated analysis; its main trade-off is that most of that breadth sits behind costly paid editions.

Overview

JEB brings disassembly, decompilation, debugging, and analysis together in one platform. Its modules extend beyond common processor architectures to WebAssembly, Ethereum contracts, Siemens S7 PLC programs, and PDF documents, making it useful when a workflow crosses target types. The catch is that the module set depends on the plan, so the breadth of the platform should not be mistaken for breadth in every edition.

PNF Software, founded by Nicolas Falliere in 2013, is based in Silicon Valley, California. JEB uses a mixed licensing model, with free, monthly, annual, floating-seat, and OEM options.

Key features

Android and other targets

JEB supports static and dynamic Android analysis, including multi-dex decompilation, resource reconstruction, and debugging of Dalvik and native code. That makes JEB Android a focused option for app analysis without buying the full module set. Across other targets, native-code and bytecode decompilation and debugger integration support work that moves between architectures and file types.

Coverage includes Intel x86 and x86-64, ARM, MIPS, RISC-V, WebAssembly, Ethereum contracts, Siemens S7 PLC programs, and PDFs. RISC-V support excludes RV128, RVE, and several exotic extensions; floating-point decompilation is planned, so users working with those cases should confirm that the current coverage meets their needs.

Automation and integrations

Python and Java scripting, plugin support, and headless front ends let users automate analysis and integrate JEB into repeatable workflows. Its VIBRE assistant and MCP server connect to OpenAI-, Anthropic-, Google Gemini-, and AWS Bedrock-compatible endpoints, and to MCP clients including Codex CLI, Claude CLI, OpenCode, and LM Studio. This is useful for teams building analysis around those integrations, though the value depends on their existing tools and processes.

Pricing

The Community Edition is free and provides x86 and x86-64 decompilation. It is aimed at researchers, students, hobbyists, and nonprofit reverse engineers; its narrow architecture scope makes it a starting point rather than a substitute for the full platform.

JEB Android costs $140 a month (Monthly @ $140 / user) and includes Android modules, the official UI client, extensions, and offline work. It is the targeted choice for Android-focused users who do not need all modules.

JEB Pro costs $2,000 a year (Yearly @ $2,000 / user) for all modules, the official UI client, extensions, and offline work. It fits an individual needing the full target range. JEB Pro Floating costs $4,000 a year (Yearly @ $4,000 / seat) and adds floating seats; concurrent connections are capped at the licensed seat count, with a seat freed when a client disconnects. That suits teams sharing capacity rather than assigning each user a fixed seat.

JEB Pro OEM costs $8,000 a year (Yearly @ $8,000 / server) for all modules, SaaS or back-end integrations, and third-party front-end clients. It is for organizations embedding JEB in services or alternate client experiences, not a lower-cost desktop edition. Eligible JEB Pro license holders can add priority support for 30% of the license cost, with replies within one business day and prioritized bug reports.

A demo is available, but it limits decompilation to a subset of code, disables project saving and loading and clipboard use, imposes time-limited sessions, and requires an internet connection. Those constraints make it suitable for evaluation, not sustained offline work.

Platforms

The desktop GUI runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS on x64 and arm64 systems, and requires JDK 21 or above. The listed platform coverage also includes an API, which complements the scripting and headless automation options.

Who it's for

JEB is a strong fit for reverse engineers who need Android analysis alongside multiple native, bytecode, or specialized targets, and for teams that want to automate analysis with scripts, plugins, or integrations. Community Edition can serve learners and nonprofit users working within its x86 and x86-64 decompilation scope. Readers needing only a free tool for a narrow target, or unwilling to pay for broader modules, should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros: Android static and dynamic analysis combines multi-dex decompilation, resource reconstruction, and Dalvik and native debugging.

Pros: Broad module coverage and Python or Java automation can support varied, repeatable analysis workflows.

Pros: Community Edition offers free x86 and x86-64 decompilation for research, education, hobby, and nonprofit use.

Cons: The free edition covers only two architecture families, while all modules require a paid Pro plan.

Cons: The demo's code, project, clipboard, session, and internet restrictions make it a limited evaluation route.

Cons: RISC-V users may encounter excluded extensions, and floating-point decompilation remains planned.

Alternatives

For other options, see Decompiler Software and Reverse Engineering Tools.

Binary Ninja has a free evaluation and education plan with five decompilation architectures but no API or plugin access, so it suits readers who value a lower-cost perpetual Personal option or can work within that free limit.

rev.ng is the better fit for readers seeking a free-software decompilation pipeline; its UI is planned for commercial cloud and standalone versions.

Boomerang is a free, BSD-licensed option for readers whose needs fit its Linux, macOS, and Windows coverage.

IDA Pro offers a free plan for x86-32 and x86-64 disassembly with two cloud-based decompilers; choose it when that scope is sufficient and a named license fits better.

Redgate SQL Provision is a database provisioning and masking option with capacity tiers, rather than a reverse-engineering counterpart.

RetDec is a free, MIT-licensed open-source option for readers seeking a no-cost decompiler.

uncompyle6 is a free GPL-3.0 Python bytecode decompiler, suited to that specific target rather than JEB's broader set.

Bytecode Viewer is a free, GPL v3 open-source option for readers whose needs fit its bytecode focus.

Verdict

Choose JEB if you need Android analysis, broad target coverage, or automation in one platform; the free Community Edition is useful only when x86 and x86-64 decompilation is enough. Look elsewhere if your work is limited to a narrow target or the paid module costs outweigh the benefit of that breadth.

Verdict

JEB covers a wide range of reverse-engineering targets, with automation and a free edition for a narrower set of decompilation. Check the Community Edition scope or paid licensing against the modules you need.

Where Specifiction places it

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