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Ghidra VS Universal Extractor 2

Compare Ghidra VS Universal Extractor 2 and see what are their differences

Ghidra logo Ghidra

Software Reverse Engineering (SRE) Framework

Universal Extractor 2 logo Universal Extractor 2

Universal Extractor 2 is an unofficial updated and extended version of the original UniExtract by...
  • Ghidra Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-25
  • Universal Extractor 2 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-05

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.

Universal Extractor 2 features and specs

  • Wide Compatibility
    Universal Extractor 2 supports a large variety of file formats, allowing users to extract files from almost any type of archive or installer.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, the software allows developers to contribute to its enhancement and customization, ensuring continuous improvement and transparency.
  • Command Line Support
    The software provides command line functionality, making it versatile for both GUI-based users and those automating tasks via scripts.
  • Regular Updates
    Universal Extractor 2 benefits from regular updates, providing users with bug fixes, performance improvements, and support for new file types.
  • Ease of Use
    Its simple user interface makes it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise.

Possible disadvantages of Universal Extractor 2

  • Inconsistent Extraction
    For some less common formats or highly specialized file types, extraction might not be as reliable, with the possibility of incomplete or failed extractions.
  • Dependency on Other Tools
    The tool relies on a wide variety of external programs and libraries to perform the extractions, which can lead to compatibility issues or require additional configuration.
  • No Archive Creation
    Universal Extractor 2 is designed strictly for extraction and cannot be used to create archives, limiting its functionality to one side of file management.
  • System Resource Usage
    Some users report higher than expected memory or CPU usage during extraction processes, which may be a concern for systems with limited resources.

Analysis of Ghidra

Overall verdict

  • Ghidra is widely considered to be a good tool for reverse engineering due to its robust feature set, open-source nature, and active community support. It competes well with other industry-leading tools, offering many similar capabilities without the associated costs.

Why this product is good

  • Ghidra is a highly regarded open-source reverse engineering tool developed by the National Security Agency (NSA). It offers a comprehensive suite of features for analyzing binary code, supporting multiple processor instruction sets, and providing an intuitive user interface. Its collaborative capabilities, powerful decompiler, and extensibility through plugins make it an attractive option for both beginners and experienced reverse engineers.

Recommended for

  • Cybersecurity professionals looking to analyze and understand potential vulnerabilities in software.
  • Software developers interested in understanding how compiled code behaves and learning more about software internals.
  • Students and researchers studying computer science or related fields who require access to a powerful reverse engineering tool without financial barriers.

Ghidra videos

NSA Ghidra, A game changer ?

More videos:

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

Universal Extractor 2 videos

Universal Extractor 2018 Review, Free Download For Windows + MAC

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Ghidra and Universal Extractor 2)
IDE
64 64%
36% 36
Software Development
67 67%
33% 33
Decompiler
100 100%
0% 0
Developer Tools
61 61%
39% 39

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 Universal Extractor 2

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

Universal Extractor 2 Reviews

We have no reviews of Universal Extractor 2 yet.
Be the first one to post

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 / about 2 months 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 / 4 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 / 5 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

Universal Extractor 2 mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Universal Extractor 2 yet. Tracking of Universal Extractor 2 recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Ghidra and Universal Extractor 2, 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.

Resource Hacker - Resource Hacker has been designed to be the complete resource editing tool.

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

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.

Binary Ninja - A reverse engineering platform and GUI

innoextract - A tool to create installers for Microsoft Windows.