BAP (Binary Analysis Platform) vs ImHex
BAP (Binary Analysis Platform)
binaryanalysisplatform.github.io
ImHex
imhex.werwolv.netSide by side
| Figure | BAP (Binary Analysis Platform) | ImHex |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Reverse Engineering Tools | 8.7 (#3) | 7.6 (#28) |
| Extensibility | BAP is a plugin-based framework whose plugins can add analyses or change existing functionality without recompiling BAP. | Developers can build plugins using libimhex, the ImHex API, and the Content Registry. |
| License | The GitHub repository identifies the project license as MIT. | Most of ImHex is GPLv2-only; libimhex and the UI plugin library are LGPLv2.1. |
| Purpose | BAP is a suite of utilities and libraries for analyzing binary programs. | ImHex is a hex editor for reverse engineers and programmers. |
Plans
In their own words
BAP (Binary Analysis Platform)
BAP (Binary Analysis Platform) has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
ImHex
ImHex is a hex editor for reverse engineers and programmers, available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its Pattern Language uses C-like syntax to describe structures and data types, which ImHex can use to parse and highlight file contents. The hex view supports searching, byte patching, patch management, and undo and redo. Analysis features include data inspection, file type parsing, byte type and entropy graphs, and detection of encrypted or compressed files. A YARA view scans files with rules, highlights matches, and lets users jump to them. The in-app Content Store offers community patterns, libraries, processor nodes, encodings, themes, and YARA rules; developers can also build plugins with libimhex, the API, and Content Registry. ImHex is free. Most of the application is GPLv2-only, while libimhex and the UI plugin library are LGPLv2.1. It generally requires a GPU with OpenGL 3.0 support; slower software-rendered releases are available. macOS release binaries require macOS 15 or higher.