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PE Explorer VS dnSpy

Compare PE Explorer VS dnSpy and see what are their differences

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PE Explorer logo PE Explorer

EXE Editor, Resource Editor, Disassembler, Section Editor, Dependency Scanner, Quick Function Syntax Lookup. Analyze win32 executable files, including headers, procedures, and libraries. Edit icon resources and more.

dnSpy logo dnSpy

.NET assembly editor, decompiler, and debugger
  • PE Explorer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-02

PE Explorer is a feature-rich and budget priced set of tools for those whose daily work involves reverse engineering of software and exploiting code, source code reviews, testing and evaluation of vulnerabilities with a very strong emphasis on peeking inside EXE applications and DLL packages.

PE Explorer leaves you with only minimal work to do in order to get an analysis of a piece of software. Once you have selected the file you wish to examine, PE Explorer will analyze the file and display a summary of the PE header information, and all of the resources contained in the PE file. From here, the tool allows you to explore the specific elements within an executable file. Target file structure can be analyzed and optimized, problems diagnosed, changes made, resources repaired, assembly source code reconstructed.

With PE Explorer, software engineers and security specialists can apply a professional approach to research of binary files. PE Explorer utilizes a qualitative algorithm designed to reconstruct the assembly language source code of target binary files (EXE, DLL, OCX) with the highest degree of accuracy possible. The product also allows you to remove both debugging information and the base relocation table from an executable, as well as view and edit the various section headers. PE Explorer includes a host of unique features, including the ability to open problem executable files and edit the hidden data that the other editors simply cannot see, an unparalleled range of supported resource types, automatic UPX unpacking, adding of modern Windows control styles to older applications, support for custom plug-ins, and more.

  • dnSpy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-14

PE Explorer

Website
heaventools.com
Pricing URL
Official PE Explorer Pricing
$ Details
paid Free Trial $129.0 / One-off (1 User)
Platforms
Windows
Release Date
2022 July
Edit details

dnSpy

Website
github.com
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-
Edit details

PE Explorer features and specs

  • Resource Editor
    Allows users to view and edit resources such as strings, bitmaps, and dialogs in executable files without needing the source code.
  • Disassembler
    Includes a disassembler feature that provides insights into the code structure, useful for reverse engineering and debugging.
  • Dependency Scanner
    Can analyze and list all the modules and libraries required by the executable, aiding in troubleshooting and ensuring all dependencies are met.
  • UPX Unpacker
    Supports unpacking files compressed with UPX, allowing for easier analysis of compressed executables.
  • User-friendly Interface
    Features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate graphical user interface, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise.

dnSpy features and specs

  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    dnSpy offers a wide range of features, including debugging, decompiling, and editing .NET assemblies, making it a comprehensive tool for .NET developers and reverse engineers.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, dnSpy allows users to inspect, modify, and contribute to its codebase, fostering community contributions and ensuring transparency.
  • Active Community
    The project has an active user and developer community, which provides support, plugins, and frequent updates, enhancing its utility and robustness.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    dnSpy provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both novice and experienced users.
  • Assembly Editing
    It allows users to edit assemblies and apply changes in real-time, a useful feature for patching applications or conducting detailed analyses.

Possible disadvantages of dnSpy

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Despite its powerful capabilities, dnSpy has a steep learning curve for newcomers, particularly those without prior experience in reverse engineering or .NET development.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users may experience performance lags or memory usage spikes when dealing with large assemblies or complex projects.
  • Legal/Ethical Concerns
    The tool can be used for unauthorized reverse engineering or tampering with software, raising potential legal and ethical concerns.
  • Limited Non-.NET Support
    While excellent for .NET applications, dnSpy lacks robust support for analyzing non-.NET binaries, potentially limiting its use cases.

Analysis of PE Explorer

Overall verdict

  • Overall, PE Explorer is highly regarded for its robust and versatile functionality, making it suitable for both professional and personal use in software development, reverse engineering, and malware analysis. However, its utility depends on the user's specific needs and technical proficiency.

Why this product is good

  • PE Explorer is considered a good tool for those who need to inspect and modify Windows executable files. It offers a wide range of features such as viewing and editing resources, disassembling, and analyzing the structure of executables. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface and comprehensive analysis capabilities, making it a popular choice for developers and reverse engineers.

Recommended for

  • Software developers looking to explore and modify executable files
  • Reverse engineers who need detailed insights into application internals
  • Security professionals analyzing potential malware or security vulnerabilities
  • Tech-savvy users interested in learning more about executable file structures

PE Explorer videos

+ Add

Raycity เปลี่ยนลายของSkinของตัวPatcherด้วย PE Explorer

dnSpy videos

+ Add

How to Debug .NET Application with DnSPY?

More videos:

  • Review - ConfuserEx Trick Remove Anti Tamper (DnSpy)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PE Explorer and dnSpy)

PE Explorer

dnSpy

IDE
55 55%
IDE
45% 45
Software Development
61 61%
Software Development
39% 39
Decompiler
37 37%
Decompiler
63% 63
Developer Tools
50 50%
Developer Tools
50% 50

Questions and Answers

As answered by people managing PE Explorer and dnSpy.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

PE Explorer's answer

  • Microsoft
  • Apple
  • Adobe
  • Symantec

How would you describe your primary audience?

PE Explorer's answer

  • Security professionals
  • Reverse engineers
  • Developers
  • Antivirus and forensic specialists

What makes your product unique?

PE Explorer's answer

PE Explorer includes a host of unique features, including the ability to open problem executable files and edit the hidden data that the other editors simply cannot see.

User comments

Share your experience with using PE Explorer and dnSpy. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare PE Explorer and dnSpy

PE Explorer Reviews

We have no reviews of PE Explorer yet.
Be the first one to post

dnSpy Reviews

Reverse engineering tools review
Reincarnation of the excellent dnSpy described above, made by a Polish guy ElektroKill. Updated libraries to support latest .NET versions, fixed bugs. Just download and test.
Source: www.pelock.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing PE Explorer and dnSpy, you can also consider the following products

Resource Hacker - Resource Hacker has been designed to be the complete resource editing tool.

dotPeek - dotPeek is a free tool based on ReSharper. It can reliably decompile any . NET assembly into C# or IL code. Download dotPeekCommunity. Materials Newsletters, webinars.

Universal Extractor 2 - Universal Extractor 2 is an unofficial updated and extended version of the original UniExtract by...

IDA - The best-of-breed binary code analysis tool, an indispensable item in the toolbox of world-class software analysts, reverse engineers, malware analyst and cybersecurity professionals.

Java Decompiler - Yet another fast Java decompiler

Resource Tuner - Resource Editor: modify EXE file's resources, change Icons inside EXE, DLL, MUN. View, search, extract, replace, edit, add and delete the embedded resources of executable program files.

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