BoxedApp Packer vs UPX
BoxedApp Packer
softanics.comUPX
upx.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | BoxedApp Packer | UPX |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Spec score · Executable Packers | 8.2 (#4) | 7.4 (#16) |
| Purpose | BoxedApp Packer turns a Windows application into one self-contained executable with dependencies embedded. | UPX is a portable executable packer and file compressor for several executable formats. |
| Support | The listed licenses include priority email support for Single, Site, and Source Code licenses, and basic email support for the Home License. | The project asks users to report bugs through its GitHub issues page. |
Plans
BoxedApp Packer
- Home License$49, paid once
- Single License$799, paid once
- Site License$4,999, paid once
- Source Code LicensePriced on request
In their own words
BoxedApp Packer
BoxedApp Packer has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
UPX
UPX is a portable executable packer and file compressor for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It works with executable formats including Windows programs and DLLs, macOS apps, and Linux executables; listed formats also include PE, ELF, Mach-O, COFF, DOS, and Atari/TOS. The project says compression commonly reduces program and DLL sizes by around 50%–70%. For most supported formats, compressed programs are self-contained and run as before without runtime or memory penalties. UPX can list, test, and unpack executables, and maintains checksums for compressed and uncompressed files. It is free software under GPL v2 or later, with a special exception allowing unmodified UPX to compress commercial programs. UPX does not add protection or encryption, and the project advises handling only trusted files. Linux users should account for documented tradeoffs: compressed executables may require more RAM or swap when multiple processes run, and the generic Linux format recreates the original file in /tmp before launch.