RetDec
RetDec is a free, LLVM-based machine-code decompiler that reconstructs functions, types, and higher-level constructs as C or a Python-like language.
What RetDec is
RetDec is a free, LLVM-based machine-code decompiler that reconstructs functions, types, and higher-level constructs as C or a Python-like language. It supports ELF, PE, Mach-O, COFF, AR archives, Intel HEX, and raw machine code, along with 32-bit Intel x86, ARM, MIPS, PIC32, and PowerPC, plus 64-bit x86-64 and ARM64. Analysis features include static executable analysis, compiler and packer detection, and loading and instruction decoding. RetDec can use DWARF and PDB debugging information, reconstruct C++ class hierarchies from RTTI and vtables, and demangle GCC, MSVC, and Borland symbols. An integrated disassembler and tools for generating call graphs, control-flow graphs, and statistics are also included. It is available as a pre-built package, can be built from source, or can run in Docker. Related repositories provide IDA and Radare2 plugins. The project lists Windows 7 or later, Linux, and macOS, with experimental FreeBSD support; installation needs about 5 to 6 GB of free disk space.
Good
- Free software under the MIT license.
- Supports several executable and raw-code formats.
- Uses DWARF and PDB debugging information.
- Can generate call graphs and control-flow graphs.
- Related repositories provide IDA and Radare2 plugins.
Watch out
- Installation needs about 5 to 6 GB of free space.
- FreeBSD support is experimental.
- The project is in limited maintenance mode.
- Nightly builds may be unreliable and contain regressions.
Who it suits
RetDec suits developers and analysts who need to inspect supported machine-code formats and architectures or work with decompiled output. Its deployment options include pre-built packages, source builds, and Docker.
Verdict
RetDec offers broad format and architecture support, with disassembly, graphing, and debug-information features. Its limited maintenance and disk-space requirement are important considerations.
Plans and prices
From RetDec's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| RetDec | Free | Open-source software; MIT license |
The facts
Each one read from RetDec's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Analysis features
- Features include static executable analysis, compiler and packer detection, and loading and instruction decoding.checked 3 Oct 2026
- C++ analysis
- It detects and reconstructs C++ class hierarchies using RTTI and vtables, and demangles GCC, MSVC, and Borland symbols.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Debug data
- It extracts and uses DWARF and PDB debugging information.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- RetDec can be downloaded as a pre-built package, built from source, or run in a Docker container.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Graphs and disassembly
- It includes an integrated disassembler and can generate call graphs, control-flow graphs, and statistics.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Related repositories provide plugins that embed RetDec into IDA and Radare2.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Intended use of nightly builds
- The project says nightly builds are mainly for developers, contributors, and experimentation, and warns they may not work reliably and may contain regressions.checked 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The project states that it is licensed under the MIT license and also incorporates a modified PeLib library under the zlib/libpng license for its original sources.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Output
- It reconstructs functions, types, and high-level constructs and outputs C or a Python-like language.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Security
- The repository links to a security policy, but its policy page displayed a loading error when opened.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Support and maintenance
- The repository says the project is in limited maintenance mode: issues may receive responses with delays up to one quarter, and development is very limited.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Supported architectures
- It supports 32-bit Intel x86, ARM, MIPS, PIC32, and PowerPC, plus 64-bit x86-64 and ARM64 (AArch64).checked 3 Oct 2026
- Supported formats
- It supports ELF, PE, Mach-O, COFF, AR archives, Intel HEX, and raw machine code.checked 3 Oct 2026
- What it does
- RetDec is a retargetable machine-code decompiler based on LLVM.checked 3 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms and storage
- The project lists Windows 7 or later, Linux, macOS, and experimental FreeBSD support, and says an installation needs about 5 to 6 GB of free disk space.checked 3 Oct 2026
Alternatives to RetDec
- 1
Binary Ninja
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS7.8$199 one-time - 2
Frida
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSAPILinux7.7Free plan - 3
rev.ng
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS7.7Free plan - 4
JEB
Free planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.6From $1,200 a year - 5
Ghidra
Free planOpen sourceAPIExtensionLinuxmacOS7.3Free plan - 6
IDA Pro
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.0From $1,099 a year