Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Ghidra VS .NET Reflector

Compare Ghidra VS .NET Reflector and see what are their differences

Ghidra logo Ghidra

Software Reverse Engineering (SRE) Framework

.NET Reflector logo .NET Reflector

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  • Ghidra Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-25
  • .NET Reflector Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-25

Ghidra features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    Ghidra is free to use and its source code is publicly available, allowing users to modify and enhance the tool to suit their needs.
  • Multi-platform Support
    Ghidra is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users regardless of their operating system.
  • Powerful Disassembly
    It comes with a powerful disassembly engine that supports multiple architectures, enabling in-depth analysis of binary code.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tool features a graphical user interface (GUI) that simplifies navigation and enhances user experience, especially for those who may not be comfortable with command-line tools.
  • Collaboration Features
    Ghidra allows multiple users to collaborate on the same project in real-time, facilitating team efforts in reverse engineering tasks.
  • Scripting Support
    It supports scripting in both Python and Java, allowing users to automate repetitive tasks and extend the functionality of the tool.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Ghidra has comprehensive documentation and an active community, providing users with resources and support to get started and troubleshoot issues.

Possible disadvantages of Ghidra

  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and capabilities, there can be a steep learning curve for new users, requiring time and practice to master.
  • Performance
    Some users have reported performance issues, such as slow loading times and lag, particularly when working with large binaries.
  • Limited Debugging Features
    Ghidra’s debugging features are not as comprehensive as those offered by some other reverse engineering tools, potentially limiting its utility for certain tasks.
  • Java Dependency
    Ghidra requires a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) to run, which may be a drawback for users who prefer or require environments that do not support Java.
  • Complex Installation
    The installation and setup process can be complex and may require additional configuration, which can be daunting for beginners.
  • Less Intuitive for Certain Tasks
    While the GUI is user-friendly for many tasks, some users find it less intuitive for specific, advanced reverse engineering functions compared to other specialized tools.

.NET Reflector features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    .NET Reflector provides an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which makes it accessible for both novice and experienced developers.
  • Comprehensive Decompilation
    It offers robust decompilation capabilities for .NET assemblies, allowing developers to view source code in C#, VB.NET, or IL.
  • Integration with Visual Studio
    .NET Reflector can be seamlessly integrated with Visual Studio, providing developers with the ability to debug third-party code within their usual development environment.
  • Plugin Support
    The application supports a wide range of plugins, enhancing its functionality and allowing developers to customize features according to their needs.
  • Code Analysis and Metrics
    .NET Reflector provides tools for analyzing code and assessing metrics, which helps in understanding and improving code quality.
  • Supports All .NET Versions
    The tool is compatible with all versions of the .NET framework, making it a versatile option for developers working with different versions.

Possible disadvantages of .NET Reflector

  • Cost
    .NET Reflector is not a free tool, which may be a disadvantage for developers or smaller companies with limited budgets.
  • Requires .NET Knowledge
    To effectively use .NET Reflector, users must have a good understanding of .NET technologies and assembly language.
  • Limited Obfuscation Support
    The tool can struggle to decompile obfuscated code, which can limit its effectiveness when dealing with heavily protected assemblies.
  • Performance Overheads
    Decompiling large assemblies can be resource-intensive and may slow down the system, which can be inconvenient for users requiring quick turnarounds.
  • Potential Legal Issues
    Using .NET Reflector to reverse-engineer third-party software can lead to intellectual property concerns or legal issues if not done in compliance with licensing agreements.

Ghidra videos

NSA Ghidra, A game changer ?

More videos:

  • Review - Ghidra Review
  • Tutorial - Ghidra quickstart & tutorial: Solving a simple crackme

.NET Reflector videos

VC#. Обратная инженерия и .NET Reflector. Урок 9

More videos:

  • Review - Cracking Programs | using .Net Reflector to Crack Crypto Obfuscator
  • Tutorial - How To Crack .Net Reflector

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Ghidra and .NET Reflector)
Software Development
82 82%
18% 18
IDE
82 82%
18% 18
Decompiler
72 72%
28% 28
Developer Tools
71 71%
29% 29

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Ghidra and .NET Reflector

Ghidra Reviews

Reverse engineering tools review
It may not be entirely up to the functionality of HexRays at the moment (remember that Ghidra is a new project), but tools such as decompilers require a lot of work and it is rare to see a new product that someone offers for free.
Source: www.pelock.com
The 5 Best Reverse Engineering Software for 2022
Ghidra's graphical user interface (GUI) is built on Java's Swing framework with a decompiler written in C++ and plugins written in Python. Besides its reverse engineering capabilities, Ghidra features powerful debugging features for both Windows and Linux.6
Source: online.yu.edu

.NET Reflector Reviews

Reverse engineering tools review
Debugger for .NET Framework applications. It is quite a robust tool, but sometimes invaluable. It looks a bit like Visual Studio built-in debugger, I'm mentioning it only because it is one of very few debuggers for .NET applications without access to source codes, there are also plugins for .NET Reflector for the purpose of debugging (Deblector plugin).
Source: www.pelock.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Ghidra seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 67 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.

Ghidra mentions (67)

  • Better Reverse Engineering with Frida and Ghidra
    Install Ghidra: You can download the latest version from the official Ghidra website: https://ghidra-sre.org/. Follow the installation instructions provided on the site. - Source: dev.to / 24 days ago
  • DeepSeek proves the future of LLMs is open-source
    Ghidra (https://ghidra-sre.org/) can fine-tune executables way more easily than your models. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Ask HN: How are you using LLMs for traversing decompiler output?
    I've only played a with this, but it was impressive. https://ghidra-sre.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • I've figured out what 13 of the 16 enemy flags mean in Ultima V. Help me figure out the last three.
    I've got no experience with reverse-engineering executables, but I got a bunch of code-like stuff showing up when I fed ULTIMA.EXE to Ghidra and told it to analyze it with all the flags set. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Modding SH2
    The whole game is written in C++ (game logic intertwined with graphics). Ghidra can help you deconstruct the game binaries, but you need to put in a GREAT great effort to even get a starting point. Cheat Engine has been successful for some purposes, including an AI enabling utility for multiplayer (use with great care!). Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

.NET Reflector mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Ghidra and .NET Reflector, you can also consider the following products

IDA - The best-of-breed binary code analysis tool, an indispensable item in the toolbox of world-class software analysts, reverse engineers, malware analyst and cybersecurity professionals.

ILSpy - ICSharpCode. Decompiler. Console..

Binary Ninja - A reverse engineering platform and GUI

dotPeek - dotPeek is a free tool based on ReSharper. It can reliably decompile any . NET assembly into C# or IL code. Download dotPeekCommunity. Materials Newsletters, webinars.

X64dbg - X64dbg is a debugging software that can debug x64 and x32 applications.

dnSpy - .NET assembly editor, decompiler, and debugger