BSAOpt vs xEdit
BSAOpt
github.comxEdit
github.comSide by side
| Figure | BSAOpt | xEdit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Modding Tools | 7.8 (#9) | 7.0 (#23) |
| License | The source file states it is available under either the Mozilla Public License 1.1 or GNU Library GPL version 3 terms. | The GitHub repository identifies the project license as MPL-2.0. |
| Purpose | BSAopt manages and recompresses BSA files, treating them like directories so files inside can be addressed easily. | xEdit is an editing and conflict-resolution tool for Bethesda game plugins from Oblivion through Starfield. |
Plans
In their own words
BSAOpt
BSAOpt is free, open-source Windows software for managing and recompressing BSA archives. It presents archive contents like directories, allowing files inside to be addressed directly, and can deduplicate files. Copy, Pack, Unpack, and Convert operations depend on the selected input and output. The listing says compression is roughly 5% better for files and 20% better for WAV files. Supported formats are BSA and ZIP, with archive extraction and mod packaging included. Version history lists Morrowind support, Fallout compatibility, and Xbox-type archives. Version 1.6.3 added recognition for XWM, FUZ, OGG, GID, and PEX files. Optional logs and a broken-header dialog can attempt recovery from corrupt BSAs. It is partially multi-threaded, supports 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista or later, and requires administrator execution when UAC is enabled. The listed version is 1.6.3, updated 14 January 2013.
xEdit
xEdit is a free Windows utility for editing Bethesda game plugins and resolving potential mod conflicts. Its documentation covers Enderal, Oblivion, Skyrim, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4, Fallout 76 and Starfield modes. The tool can remove extraneous or duplicated references, repair deleted references, merge plugins and check for mismatches between module files and xEdit record definitions. Quick Auto Clean automates cleaning while saving intermediate steps, and users can review its changes afterward. Cleaning workflows can be configured with Mod Organizer 2, Vortex and Wrye Bash, and can produce a LOOT report. Supported formats include TES3, TES4, FO3, FNV, TES5, SSE, FO4, FO76, SF1, BSA and BA2. Documentation is provided in the Tome of xEdit. Builds are distributed through Discord, while feature requests and bug reports go to GitHub. The license is MPL-2.0.