Best password cracking and recovery tools
Tools that test password hashes against wordlists and brute force, used for security audits and recovering lost passwords.
3 apps, ordered by visits from AppBreakup and how often our research lists each one as an alternative. Open any app to see its alternatives.
All password cracking and recovery tools
- Alternatives to John the Ripper
Long-running open-source password cracker for auditing hashes from Unix, Windows, apps, archives and more.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Hashcat
Free, open-source GPU password recovery tool supporting hundreds of hash types.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Hash Suite
Windows app for auditing password hashes, with a GUI, reports and a free edition.
Free plan + paidWindows, Android
Our picks by need
Best for most people
John the RipperBest for a free option
HashcatBest for open source
John the RipperBest for Mac
John the RipperBest for Windows
Hash SuiteBest for Linux
John the RipperCommon questions
What are the best password cracking and recovery tools?
Based on how often our research lists them as alternatives and visits from AppBreakup, the leading password cracking and recovery tools right now are John the Ripper, Hashcat and Hash Suite.
Are there free password cracking and recovery tools?
Yes. John the Ripper (open source), Hashcat (open source) and Hash Suite (free plan + paid) have a free option, out of 3 free or freemium apps we track.
Which password cracking and recovery tools are open source?
John the Ripper and Hashcat.