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Bytecode Viewer VS Apktool

Compare Bytecode Viewer VS Apktool and see what are their differences

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Bytecode Viewer logo Bytecode Viewer

A Java 8 Jar & Android APK Reverse Engineering Suite (Decompiler, Editor, Debugger & More)

Apktool logo Apktool

Apktool is an all-in-one tool that can extract all the resources inside an APK.
Not present
  • Apktool Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-11

Bytecode Viewer features and specs

  • Comprehensive Toolset
    Bytecode Viewer offers an integrated suite of tools including a decompiler, disassembler, debugger, and analytics tool, which allows for a thorough inspection and analysis of Java bytecode within a single application.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tool is designed with an intuitive and user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of navigating and analyzing bytecode, even for users who may not have extensive experience in reverse engineering.
  • Multiple Decompiler Engines
    Bytecode Viewer supports multiple decompiler engines like CFR, Fernflower, Procyon, and others, allowing users to choose the best-suited one for their specific needs and preferences.
  • Cross-Platform
    The application is built to run on multiple platforms, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux, due to its Java-based nature, ensuring accessibility for users on different operating systems.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source software, Bytecode Viewer allows users to contribute to its development, customize features, and inspect the source code to more deeply understand its workings.

Possible disadvantages of Bytecode Viewer

  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues, particularly with large files or projects, which can lead to slower analysis and increased resource usage.
  • Limited Support for Other Languages
    While Bytecode Viewer excels with Java and Android bytecode, it doesn't support other programming languages, which might limit its utility for developers working in diverse environments.
  • Complexity for Beginners
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the complex nature of bytecode and reverse engineering might overwhelm beginners without enough support or guidance within the tool itself.
  • Dependency on Java Environment
    Since Bytecode Viewer is Java-based, it requires a Java Runtime Environment to be installed and configured correctly, which might add an extra step for users who do not have Java set up.
  • Occasional Bugs
    As with many open-source projects, Bytecode Viewer can sometimes have bugs that might affect its stability or functionality, depending on its version and the system it's run on.

Apktool features and specs

  • Open Source
    Apktool is open source, allowing users to view, modify, and contribute to the tool's development. This transparency can lead to more robust and bug-free software.
  • Comprehensive Resource Manipulation
    The tool allows for comprehensive extraction and modification of APK resources such as XML, images, and other assets, facilitating in-depth customization or debugging.
  • Frequent Updates
    Apktool sees regular updates, often keeping pace with Android's evolving ecosystem, which provides users with newer features and bug fixes in a timely manner.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    It supports multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide audience regardless of their operating system preference.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Apktool can be easily integrated with other development or penetration testing tools, providing flexibility in workflow automation and toolchain enhancement.

Possible disadvantages of Apktool

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For beginners, the tool may be challenging to use due to its command-line nature and requirement for understanding Android APK structure.
  • Legal and Ethical Concerns
    Unauthorized use of Apktool for decompiling APKs may lead to legal issues, especially if used for analyzing or modifying proprietary software.
  • Partial Decompiled Code
    While Apktool decompiles resources comprehensively, the actual execution code (Java) is only partially decompiled, often reconstructed in a different, less-readable form.
  • Vulnerability Risk
    Improper use or distribution of modified APKs can inadvertently introduce security vulnerabilities or violate app policies.
  • Dependency on Java
    Apktool requires Java to run, which may not be pre-installed on all systems, thus requiring additional setup steps and potential compatibility issues.

Bytecode Viewer videos

+ Add

Bytecode Viewer Beta 1.5.3

Apktool videos

+ Add

Recompile APK to Source Code Android Easy Tutorial using ApkTool

More videos:

  • Review - A comparison and contrast of APKTool/Soot for injecting blockchain calls into Android applications
  • Tutorial - How to mod android games using APKTOOL M

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Bytecode Viewer and Apktool)

Bytecode Viewer

Apktool

IDE
45 45%
IDE
55% 55
Development
42 42%
Development
58% 58
Tool
31 31%
Tool
69% 69
Decompiler
100 100%
Decompiler
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Bytecode Viewer and Apktool. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Bytecode Viewer seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times 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.

Bytecode Viewer mentions (2)

  • CandyPixel - Known Information Wanted Please.
    If you do use this plugin I'd recommend also using https://bytecodeviewer.com/ to check the supposed malicious lines of code. Source: about 3 years ago
  • A response from r/AskReddit. Are we even surprised?
    Take a look at tools like this one to get an idea of what you can actually get: https://bytecodeviewer.com/. Source: over 3 years ago

Apktool mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Bytecode Viewer and Apktool, you can also consider the following products

APK Editor Studio - APK Editor Studio is an open-source Android application editor that allows you to edit APKs with the help of reverse engineering.

JADX - JADX is a decompilation tool that can produce Java Source code from Dex and Apk files, being capable of providing human-readable java classes, it reverses AndroidManifest.

APK Studio - APK Studio is an open-source Integrated Development Environment that allows you to recompile and decompile Android applications with its unified interface.

Decompiler.com - Online Java and Android decompiler. Just drag and drop .JAR or .APK file and browse decompiled content online.

Xposed Framework - Xposed Framework is an application that allows you to tweak and modify the Android system behavior without making changes to system apps.

Java Decompiler - Yet another fast Java decompiler

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