The Sleuth Kit vs X-Ways Forensics
The Sleuth Kit
sleuthkit.orgX-Ways Forensics
x-ways.netSide by side
| Figure | The Sleuth Kit | X-Ways Forensics |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Computer Forensics Software | 7.5 (#9) | 7.2 (#14) |
| Spec score · Digital Forensics Software | 7.6 (#16) | 7.2 (#25) |
| Purpose | The Sleuth Kit is a C library and command-line tools for investigating disk images and analyzing volume and file system data. | X-Ways Forensics is an advanced work environment for computer forensic examiners and the maker’s flagship product. |
Plans
X-Ways Forensics
- X-Ways Forensics non-perpetual license$1,550, paid once
- X-Ways Forensics perpetual license$4,010, paid once
In their own words
The Sleuth Kit
The Sleuth Kit is a free, open-source C library and collection of command-line tools for investigating disk images and analysing volume and file-system data. Its tools can list allocated and deleted file names, inspect NTFS attributes, display metadata, and create file-activity timelines. They examine file systems without relying on the host operating system, allowing deleted and hidden content to be shown. Supported images include raw/dd, E01, VHD, VMDK, and AFF. Listed file systems include NTFS, FAT, ExFAT, APFS, UFS, EXT2FS, EXT3FS, Ext4, HFS, ISO 9660, and YAFFS2. Hashes can be checked against NIST NSRL, Hash Keeper, and custom databases. The C library can be embedded in larger forensic tools and powers Autopsy and other forensic products. Listed platforms include Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, Cygwin, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, and Solaris. Volunteers maintain the project, with forums and email lists for community help; commercial support is available from Sleuth Kit Labs. Version 4.14.0 is dated April 15, 2025.
X-Ways Forensics
X-Ways Forensics has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.