Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PELock VS VMProtect

Compare PELock VS VMProtect and see what are their differences

PELock logo PELock

Software copy protection against reverse engineering with anti-cracking & anti-debugging techniques. Software license key system with time trial options.

VMProtect logo VMProtect

VMProtect Ultimate - All-In-One Solution For Software Licensing And Protection.
  • PELock Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-21
  • VMProtect Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-10

PELock features and specs

  • Software Protection
    PELock provides strong protection for executable files against reverse engineering and unauthorized access, offering encryption and anti-debugging features.
  • License Management
    The tool includes advanced license management features, allowing developers to control the distribution and activation of their software.
  • Customizable Options
    PELock allows developers to customize the protection settings to suit their specific needs, providing flexibility in how their software is secured.
  • Regular Updates
    The software receives regular updates to enhance protection mechanisms and address new security vulnerabilities.

Possible disadvantages of PELock

  • Complexity
    The advanced features and customizable options might be overwhelming for beginners or those without sufficient technical knowledge.
  • Cost
    PELock is a commercial product, and the cost might be a barrier for individual developers or small companies with limited budgets.
  • Performance Overhead
    Adding multiple layers of protection can sometimes lead to a performance overhead, impacting the speed and responsiveness of the protected software.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users may experience compatibility issues with other software tools or development environments, requiring additional troubleshooting.

VMProtect features and specs

  • Advanced Protection
    VMProtect provides robust protection against reverse engineering and software cracking by converting code into a virtual machine language, making it difficult for attackers to understand and tamper with.
  • Multiple Virtualization Options
    The software offers various levels of virtualization, allowing developers to balance between performance and security according to their specific needs.
  • Anti-Debugging Techniques
    VMProtect employs anti-debugging techniques to prevent the use of debuggers, which are common tools used in reverse engineering.
  • License Management
    It includes integrated license management features, enabling developers to control software distribution and activation keys effectively.
  • Support for Various Executable Types
    VMProtect supports a wide range of executable types including EXE, DLL, and drivers, providing versatility in protecting different kinds of software applications.

Possible disadvantages of VMProtect

  • Performance Overhead
    The virtualization process can introduce a performance overhead, which may affect the execution speed of the protected software.
  • Complexity in Implementation
    Implementing VMProtect requires a thorough understanding of the protection options and might be complex for novice developers.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Some protected applications might experience compatibility issues with certain operating systems or environments.
  • Cost
    VMProtect is a commercial software that requires purchasing a license, which can be a significant investment for smaller developers or startups.
  • Detection by Security Software
    Some antivirus or security software may flag applications protected with VMProtect as suspicious due to their obfuscated nature.

PELock videos

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VMProtect videos

Best VMware Backup - Acronis vmProtect 9

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PELock and VMProtect)
Security & Privacy
37 37%
63% 63
Software Development
36 36%
64% 64
Software Engineering
36 36%
64% 64
License Management
40 40%
60% 60

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, VMProtect seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

PELock mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PELock yet. Tracking of PELock recommendations started around Mar 2021.

VMProtect mentions (1)

  • antivirus detections
    Well, the file probably is packed with VMProtect to prevent reverse engineering, so it is not a false alarm per se, but given that it is likely a legitimate file that has used the packer for legitimate reasons, it probably should not be detected. Source: almost 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing PELock and VMProtect, you can also consider the following products

Themida - Advanced Windows software protection system, developed for software developers who wish to protect...

Alienyze - Alienyze is a software packer and protection solution for windows executable files. Alienyze allows developers to easily protect their software against cracking and reverse engineering.

UPX - UPX (Ultimate Packer for eXecutables) achieves an excellent compression ratio and offers very fast...

Enigma Protector - Enigma Protector is designed by the developers of Enigma Virtual Box and more advanced and secure mode of virtualization as compared to the Enigma Virtual Box.

ExEinfo PE - Packer, compressor detector / unpack info / internal exe tools.

Labs64 NetLicensing - Monetize your digital products and services