Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PE Explorer VS ILSpy

Compare PE Explorer VS ILSpy and see what are their differences

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.

ILSpy logo ILSpy

ICSharpCode. Decompiler. Console..
  • 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.

  • ILSpy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-02

ILSpy

Pricing URL
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$ Details
Platforms
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Release Date
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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.

ILSpy features and specs

  • Open Source
    ILSpy is open source, allowing developers to contribute to its development and customize it according to their needs.
  • User Friendly
    The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, which makes it accessible for both beginners and experienced developers.
  • Active Community
    There is an active community of users and contributors who provide support, plugins, and updates.
  • Supports Multiple Versions
    ILSpy can decompile assemblies generated with various versions of .NET, making it versatile for different projects.
  • Continuous Updates
    Regular updates ensure compatibility with the latest .NET versions and introduce new features and improvements.

Possible disadvantages of ILSpy

  • Limited Debugging
    ILSpy primarily focuses on decompilation and lacks comprehensive debugging features found in some other tools.
  • Performance Issues
    When dealing with large assemblies, ILSpy may experience slowdowns or performance issues during decompilation.
  • Complex Assemblies
    For very complex or obfuscated assemblies, the decompiled code might not be very readable or accurate.
  • No Direct Editing
    ILSpy does not support editing the decompiled code directly, which means developers need to use additional tools for modifications.

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

Raycity เปลี่ยนลายของSkinของตัวPatcherด้วย PE Explorer

ILSpy videos

How to decompile (read source code of) .NET Framework assemblies using ILSpy

More videos:

  • Tutorial - ILSpy -- How to Add Execute Extension

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PE Explorer and ILSpy)
IDE
65 65%
35% 35
Software Development
75 75%
25% 25
Decompiler
48 48%
52% 52
Developer Tools
50 50%
50% 50

Questions and Answers

As answered by people managing PE Explorer and ILSpy.

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

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing PE Explorer and ILSpy, 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...

dnSpy - .NET assembly editor, decompiler, and debugger

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