Binary Ninja vs Ghidra
Binary Ninja
binary.ninjaGhidra
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Binary Ninja | Ghidra |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Spec score · Reverse Engineering Tools | 9.4 (#1) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Spec score · Decompiler Software | 9.5 (#1) | 8.8 (#3) |
| Documentation depth | Developer documentation includes a cookbook, plugin writing, automation, architecture lifting, BNIL guides, types, workflows and API references. | The installation includes documentation, release notes, API files, tutorials and online help, while the user guide explicitly excludes architecture and programming-API details. |
| What it does | Binary Ninja is an interactive decompiler, disassembler, debugger and binary-analysis platform for reverse engineering. | Ghidra is an NSA Research Directorate software reverse-engineering framework for analyzing compiled code. |
Plans
Binary Ninja
- FreeFree
- Personal$199, paid once
- Commercial$1,799, paid once
- Ultimate$3,499, paid once
- Ultimate (Floating)$5,499, paid once
In their own words
Binary Ninja
Binary Ninja is a binary analysis platform that combines an interactive decompiler, disassembler, and debugger. Its decompiler can produce C or BNIL for supported architectures, and users can switch between those outputs. The API provides C++, Python, and Rust bindings for automating workflows inside or outside the interface. A native debugger supports local and remote sessions on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Paid editions support plugins managed through an in-client Plugin Manager; plugins are not available in the Free edition. The browser-based Cloud version supports all architectures but requires submitted binaries and has performance limits, with no API or plugins. The free desktop edition is for evaluation or non-commercial use and lacks API access; the Free plan lists five decompilation architectures, while desktop details state four. Paid perpetual client licenses start at $199, paid once for Personal, with one year of updates and non-commercial use. Higher tiers add commercial use, more architectures, or remote project features. Binary Ninja is made by Vector 35.
Ghidra
Ghidra is a software reverse engineering framework maintained by the NSA Research Directorate. It analyzes compiled code with tools for disassembly, assembly, decompilation, graphing and scripting, and supports many processor instruction sets and executable formats. The framework can operate interactively or in automated workflows, including work intended to address team and scale needs in complex reverse engineering. Users can write extensions and scripts in Java or Python. Development options include a GhidraDev plugin for Eclipse and support for script editing and module projects in Visual Studio Code. The project describes compiled-code analysis on Windows, macOS and Linux. Installation requires a 64-bit JDK 25 and an official multi-platform release archive. Ghidra is free under the Apache License, Version 2.0, whose terms grant no-charge, royalty-free copyright and patent licenses. The repository warns that some versions have known security vulnerabilities and directs users to security advisories. Its policy directs vulnerability reports to GitHub private vulnerability reporting rather than public issues.