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Universal Extractor 2 VS Apktool

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

Universal Extractor 2 logo Universal Extractor 2

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

Apktool logo Apktool

Apktool is an all-in-one tool that can extract all the resources inside an APK.
  • Universal Extractor 2 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-05
  • Apktool Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-11

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.

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.

Universal Extractor 2 videos

Universal Extractor 2018 Review, Free Download For Windows + MAC

Apktool videos

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 Universal Extractor 2 and Apktool)
IDE
64 64%
36% 36
Development
0 0%
100% 100
Software Development
100 100%
0% 0
Tool
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Universal Extractor 2 and Apktool, you can also consider the following products

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

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.

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.

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.

innoextract - A tool to create installers for Microsoft Windows.

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