dhex

dhex is a free terminal hex editor aimed at users who need to compare binary files and follow changes between file iterations. It suits Linux and macOS users comfortable with ncurses interfaces, especially when a focused diff workflow matters more than a broad editing suite. Choose it for binary comparison and logged searches; look elsewhere if you need structured templates, automation, plugins or disk editing.

Overview

dhex centers its work around a diff mode for comparing two binary files. That makes it useful for investigating what changed between builds, dumps or successive revisions without adding the scope of a full binary-workbench product. Search logs provide a record that can help you follow changes across iterations, giving repeated investigations more continuity than a one-off search.

The ncurses foundation keeps the interface terminal-based. That is a sensible fit for command-line-oriented workflows and systems where a graphical editor is undesirable, but it also narrows the audience to people who are comfortable working in a text interface. Theme support lets users adjust the presentation, and the maker accepts contributed themes sent to [email protected] with DHEX included in the theme header.

Key features

• Binary comparison: Diff mode directly addresses the job of locating differences between two binary files. The correlator introduced in version 0.64 can help match an object file to an executable for comparison, although that release should be avoided because it can crash at startup on some systems.
• Search and tracking: Search logs help track changes across different file iterations, which is valuable when an investigation spans multiple revisions. Version 0.66 added command-line searches for quoted strings as well as single words, making terminal searches more useful for text embedded in binary data.
• Partial memory dumps: Version 0.67 added a base-address setting when loading a file. That is a practical aid when the input is a partial memory dump and addresses need to be interpreted relative to their original location.
• Appearance and configuration: DHEX is themeable, and version 0.66 added header-color configuration in the .dhexrc file. These options improve readability for users who spend long sessions in the terminal, without changing the tool's deliberately narrow scope.
• Focused scope: Binary templates, scripting, plugin support and disk editing are not included. Dhex therefore works best as a comparison and inspection utility, not as an extensible reverse-engineering platform or a disk editor.

Pricing

Dhex has one plan: dhex costs nothing. There is no free trial because the product is already free, and there are no paid tiers, seat charges or renewal commitments. That makes it straightforward for individual users and teams to deploy, while the trade-off is that advanced workflow capabilities are not supplied through higher plans; they are simply outside the product's scope.

Platforms

The supported-platform offering is Linux and macOS. The maker also says dhex is known to run on HP-UX, FreeBSD, NetBSD, MacOS X, IRIX and Solaris, which may interest users maintaining older or less common Unix environments. Downloads include version 0.69, the 0.6x branch update dated 19 January 2019. Users should avoid version 0.64 because of its startup-crash warning and choose the newer download instead.

Who it's for

Dhex is for developers, systems engineers and investigators who need binary diffs, terminal-based searches and a way to follow changes across file revisions. It is particularly appropriate for partial-memory-dump work where a base address matters, and for users who prefer ncurses tools over graphical editors.

It is not the right choice for workflows built around binary templates, scripting, plugins or direct disk editing. Those requirements call for a broader editor, even though dhex's focused comparison model may be quicker for a narrowly defined diff task.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Binary diff mode makes comparison the primary workflow rather than an afterthought.
• Pro: Search logs and quoted-string command-line searches support investigations that span file iterations.
• Pro: Base-address loading is useful for partial memory dumps.
• Pro: Free access and a terminal interface suit lightweight deployment on Linux and macOS.
• Con: No templates, scripting, plugins or disk editing limits it for advanced, extensible or storage-level work.
• Con: The interface is ncurses-based, so users seeking a graphical editing experience should choose another tool.
• Con: The dated 0.6x release line requires care around the specifically warned-against 0.64 build.

Alternatives

For a broader cross-platform editor, BinEd is free and open source, with Android, Linux, macOS, web and Windows support. Choose HexEd.it when browser access or iOS support matters; its free plan permits commercial and non-commercial use, while copying the code to another server and selling it is prohibited.

Bedrock Viz is the relevant free option for Minecraft Bedrock Edition worlds. Hecate offers MIT-licensed software across Linux, macOS and Windows, while REHex provides GPL-2.0-licensed packages for those same desktop systems. Choose ImHex for an open-source hex editor, wxHexEditor when disk editing is required, or Bless for a GPL-2.0-or-later editor that requires a source build.

Browse the Hex Editors category for the wider field.

Verdict

Choose dhex if you want a free, ncurses-based tool whose strongest case is comparing binary files, searching from the command line and tracking revisions. Its partial-dump support and themes add useful polish. Look elsewhere when your work depends on templates, scripting, plugins, disk editing or a graphical interface.