Hex Fiend
Free, open-source hex editor for macOS that opens huge files instantly.
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About Hex Fiend
Hex Fiend is a small, fast hex editor for the Mac. It is built to stay responsive with very large files: it doesn't load the whole file into memory, so multi-gigabyte disk images open and scroll right away, and saving only rewrites the parts that changed. Unlike some hex editors, it lets you insert and delete bytes rather than only overwrite them. It also includes a data inspector that reads the selection as integers or floats in either byte order, fast search, and a binary diff view that accounts for insertions and deletions. Developers can embed its hex view in their own apps thanks to a permissive BSD licence. Compared with 010 Editor or ImHex it is deliberately simpler: there's no disassembler or drive editor, and format parsing via templates is more limited. It is free and open source and runs only on macOS.
Best for: Mac users who want a quick, free hex editor for large files and byte-level diffs.
Pros and cons
What works
- Opens and scrolls very large files instantly
- Supports inserting and deleting bytes, not just overwriting
- Binary diff that handles insertions and deletions
- Free under a permissive BSD licence
Why people leave
- macOS only
- No disassembler, disk editor or memory editor
- Fewer analysis tools than ImHex or 010 Editor
Top Hex Fiend alternatives
See all 2- 101010 Editor62.6
Paid, cross-platform option with Binary Templates for decoding hundreds of file formats.
- 2
iBored40.0Free block-level editor for raw disks and partition tables, not just files.
Why people left Hex Fiend
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Hex Fiend: common questions
Is Hex Fiend free?
Yes. Hex Fiend is free, open-source software.
Is Hex Fiend open source?
Yes.
What platforms does Hex Fiend run on?
Hex Fiend is available for macOS.
What are the best alternatives to Hex Fiend?
The highest-ranked Hex Fiend alternatives right now are 010 Editor and iBored. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.