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Bytecode Viewer VS Resource Hacker

Compare Bytecode Viewer VS Resource Hacker and see what are their differences

Bytecode Viewer logo Bytecode Viewer

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

Resource Hacker logo Resource Hacker

Resource Hacker has been designed to be the complete resource editing tool.
Not present
  • Resource Hacker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-08

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.

Resource Hacker features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Resource Hacker features an intuitive and straightforward interface, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced users to navigate and use the tool efficiently for modifying resources in executable files.
  • Comprehensive Resource Editing
    The tool allows users to view, modify, add, and delete resources within Windows executables, making it versatile for a variety of resource management tasks.
  • Support for Multiple File Types
    Resource Hacker supports a wide range of file types, including .EXE, .DLL, .CPL, .OCX, and more, providing flexibility in resource editing across different Windows components.
  • Script Capabilities
    It can automate tasks through scripts, allowing for efficient batch processing and modifications, which is advantageous for repetitive tasks.
  • Free to Use
    Resource Hacker is available for free, offering extensive features without any cost, making it an attractive option for users looking for budget-friendly software.

Possible disadvantages of Resource Hacker

  • Windows-Only
    Resource Hacker is limited to Windows platforms, which restricts its usage for developers or users operating on macOS or Linux systems without additional support like emulators.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Complex Tasks
    While the interface is user-friendly, more complex editing tasks may require a deeper understanding of Windows resources and file structures, posing a learning challenge for newcomers.
  • Potential for Unstable Modifications
    Improper use of Resource Hacker can lead to unstable applications or system behavior, as modifying executable resources can affect how programs run.
  • Legal and Ethical Limitations
    Modifying executable files may breach software licenses or terms of use, leading to legal and ethical concerns. Users must ensure compliance with software agreements.

Bytecode Viewer videos

Bytecode Viewer Beta 1.5.3

Resource Hacker videos

How To Make a .DLL Containing Icons Using Resource Hacker (BEST METHOD)

More videos:

  • Review - Extract Icons with Resource Hacker

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Bytecode Viewer and Resource Hacker)
IDE
26 26%
74% 74
Development
100 100%
0% 0
Software Development
0 0%
100% 100
Tool
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Resource Hacker should be more popular than Bytecode Viewer. It has been mentiond 5 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

Resource Hacker mentions (5)

  • Windows Tips, Tricks, and Tweaks
    "Resource Hacker"[1] should be enough to edit some strings, you just need to find the right file. [1] http://angusj.com/resourcehacker/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Where can one find the default Foobar2000 playback icons?
    Btw there are a couple of small programs to extract icons from exe/dll -s I tried with (ResourceHacker)[http://angusj.com/resourcehacker/] and (BeCyIconGrabber)[https://jarlpenguin.github.io/BeCyIconGrabberPortable/] but neither could find other icons than the main icon AH I had the idea to maybe check the component dll-s and actually foo_ui_std.dll has the icons. Source: about 2 years ago
  • I made custom tiles in Windows 10 for my Steam games. So aesthetic
    I do too but I’ve been using resource hacker for over a year or two now to quickly get the icon. Very rarely have I had to look elsewhere. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How do you sell AHK scripts?
    Right click into any script, then the resulting executable open it with Resource Hacker and you'll see what I'm talking about: the script is just as a resource of the .exe. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Is it possible to change a program icon _everywhere_ it appears?
    You'll also need a program called Resource Hacker. Find it here: http://angusj.com/resourcehacker/. Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Bytecode Viewer and Resource Hacker, 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.

Universal Extractor 2 - Universal Extractor 2 is an unofficial updated and extended version of the original UniExtract by...

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.

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.

Apktool - Apktool is an all-in-one tool that can extract all the resources inside an APK.

Resource Tuner - Resource Editor: modify EXE file's resources, change Icons inside EXE, DLL, MUN. View, search, extract, replace, edit, add and delete the embedded resources of executable program files.