EVERYTHING XIAOMI
Get listed

GNU hexedit

GNU hexedit is a free Linux terminal program for viewing and editing file contents as hexadecimal values or ASCII text.

Place
#23 of 32
Score
5.7
GNU hexedit's website

What GNU hexedit is

GNU hexedit is a free Linux terminal program for viewing and editing file contents as hexadecimal values or ASCII text. It can read a device a piece at a time, search forward or backward for strings in either representation, and save changes made in either editing mode. Keyboard commands control the terminal interface. Users can mark, copy and paste regions, save a copied region to a file, or fill a selected area with a string. The --sector option displays whole sectors and makes scrolling advance sector by sector. Its --color option works only on operating systems that support it. Changes remain in memory until saved, and large fill operations may prompt a warning. Read-only files cannot be edited; the program reports when a file is non-writable. GNU hexedit is open source and may be redistributed under the GNU General Public License. The maker's page links to the 1.6 source archive, while the repository README gives build steps for Git checkouts: ./autogen.sh && ./configure && make.

Good

  • Views and edits files as hexadecimal or ASCII
  • Searches forward and backward for strings
  • Can read devices a piece at a time
  • Sector mode advances scrolling by sector
  • Free and redistributable under the GNU GPL

Watch out

  • Read-only files cannot be edited
  • Large fill operations may trigger a warning
  • Color option depends on operating system support

Who it suits

GNU hexedit suits Linux users who need to inspect or edit file bytes, search binary data, or work with device sectors. Its terminal interface and keyboard commands fit users comfortable with command-driven tools.

Verdict

GNU hexedit provides byte-level viewing, search and editing in a Linux terminal. Keep in mind that edits are held in memory until saved and read-only files cannot be changed.

Plans and prices

From GNU hexedit's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
GNU hexeditFreeOpen source · GNU GPL

The facts

Each one read from GNU hexedit's own pages, with the date it was checked.

Where it runs

Device access
It can read a device a piece at a time.checked 7 Oct 2026

What it does

Download and build
The maker page links to the 1.6 source archive, and the repository README gives ./autogen.sh && ./configure && make as the build steps from Git.checked 7 Oct 2026
Editing
Users can modify files in either ASCII or hexadecimal mode and save changes.checked 7 Oct 2026
Editing limit
Large fill operations may trigger a warning because modifications are kept in memory until saved.checked 7 Oct 2026
Intended users
The documented functions suit users who need to inspect or edit file bytes, search binary data, or work with device sectors.checked 7 Oct 2026
License
The author states that hexedit is open source and may be redistributed under the GNU General Public License.checked 7 Oct 2026
Purpose
GNU hexedit displays and edits files in hexadecimal and ASCII.checked 7 Oct 2026
Read-only files
A read-only file cannot be edited, and the program reports that it is non-writable.checked 7 Oct 2026
Search
It searches forward or backward for strings in ASCII or hexadecimal.checked 7 Oct 2026
Sector mode
The --sector option formats the display in whole sectors and changes scrolling to move sector by sector.checked 7 Oct 2026
Selection tools
Users can mark, copy, paste, save a copied region to a file, and fill a selected region with a string.checked 7 Oct 2026
Support
The author asks users to report problems and welcomes remarks of any kind.checked 7 Oct 2026
Terminal interface
The program uses a terminal display with keyboard commands, and its --color option works only when the operating system supports it.checked 7 Oct 2026

Alternatives to GNU hexedit

All alternatives
  1. 1

    Avidemux

    Free planOpen sourceWebLinuxmacOSWindows
    7.3Free plan
    Visit
  2. 2

    HexEd.it

    Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI
    7.3Free plan
    Visit
  3. 3

    Bedrock Viz

    Free planWebLinuxmacOSWindows
    6.8Free plan
    Visit
  4. 4

    010 Editor

    LinuxmacOSWindows
    6.6
    Visit
  5. 5

    BinEd

    Free planAndroidWebLinuxmacOS
    6.6Free plan
    Visit
  6. 6

    Hecate

    Free planLinuxmacOSWindows
    6.5Free plan
    Visit