Q22
Q22 is a free, open-source binary file editor for Windows and Linux, and the successor to Catch22 HexEdit for Windows.
What Q22 is
Q22 is a free, open-source binary file editor for Windows and Linux, and the successor to Catch22 HexEdit for Windows. It can open and modify large binary files with cut, copy, paste, insert, delete, undo, and redo. Data can be displayed as hexadecimal, decimal, octal, binary, or text, with bytes grouped into 8-, 16-, 32-, or 64-bit values. Structure View expands headers, sections, imports, exports, and symbols in PE and ELF files, and accepts custom .strata definitions in Strata. Its disassembler handles x86 in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, ARM, ARM Thumb, and AArch64, and detects PE and ELF entrypoints automatically. Bookmarks and highlights mark positions in the hex display, with bookmark state saved for future use. Import, export, and clipboard formats include raw data, Base64, Intel HEX, Motorola S-records, HTML, C, C++, and assembler-style data. Other panels cover file properties, checksums, and string extraction. Themes, palettes, configurable preferences, and docked panels provide display and layout options. Q22 is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later.
Good
- Edits large binary files with undo and redo.
- Structure View supports PE and ELF files.
- Disassembles x86, ARM, ARM Thumb, and AArch64.
- Bookmark positions are saved for future use.
- Offers light, dark, and system themes.
Watch out
- Only Windows and Linux are listed as platforms.
- Custom structure definitions use Strata's .strata format.
Who it suits
Q22 suits Windows or Linux users who need to inspect or edit binary files and work with PE or ELF structures. Its multiple data views, disassembler, and import and export formats may also suit users examining different representations of binary data.
Verdict
Q22 offers file editing, structural inspection, and disassembly in one binary editor. Its listed platforms are Windows and Linux, and it is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later.
Plans and prices
From Q22's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Q22 | Free | GPL-3.0-or-later · Linux (Fedora currently) · Windows |
The facts
Each one read from Q22's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Bookmarks
- Users can bookmark and highlight positions in the hex display, and bookmark state is saved for future use.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Q22 offers light, dark and system themes, built-in and custom palettes, configurable preferences, a custom titlebar and docked panels.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Data views
- It displays data as hexadecimal, decimal, octal, binary or text, and groups bytes as 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit or 64-bit values.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Disassembly
- The disassembler supports x86 64-bit, x86 32-bit, ARM, ARM Thumb and AArch64, and detects PE and ELF entrypoints automatically.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Editing
- It can open and edit binary files, including large files, with cut, copy, paste, insert, delete, undo and redo.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Import and export
- Supported clipboard, import and export formats include hex, ASCII/text, raw data, Base64, UUEncode, Intel HEX, Motorola S-records, HTML, C++, C and assembler-style data.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License
- Q22 is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Other tools
- The interface includes file properties, checksum calculation and string extraction panels.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Q22 is a cross-platform binary file editor and the successor to Catch22 HexEdit for Windows.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Release
- The GitHub releases page lists q22 3.3.0, dated 2026-09-12.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Structure View
- Structure View supports PE and ELF files, can expand their headers, sections, imports, exports and symbols, and accepts custom .strata definitions in Strata.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Window integration
- Its platform-specific window chrome supports Windows, KDE/KWin and GNOME/Mutter.checked 5 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- The maker's About page identifies James Brown and says he lives in Hampshire, UK; it does not state a founding date.checked 5 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The page lists Linux (Fedora currently) and Windows as supported platforms and says more are to come.checked 5 Oct 2026
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