Hex Fiend for MAC
Free, open-source hex editor for Mac: edit huge files quickly, compare binaries and inspect data, without loading the file into memory.
Hex Fiend Overview
Hex Fiend is a fast hex editor for macOS, for anyone who needs to look inside or change a file byte by byte. Unlike editors that only allow in-place changes, it lets you insert, delete and rearrange data. It does not keep your files in memory, so it stays small and quick even on Macs with little RAM, and you can open, scroll, copy and paste in huge files. The project says it has been tested on files as large as 118 GB.
It can compare two files and show the differences, taking insertions and deletions into account: open both, then use the File > Compare menus. A data inspector reads the selected bytes as integer or floating point, signed or unsigned, big or little endian. Binary templates use scripting to show the structure of a file. When saving, it skips the parts that have not changed and needs no temporary disk space.
Hex Fiend is free and open source under a BSD-style licence, with copyright held by Peter Ammon. Developers can also embed its hex and data views in their own apps through the Hex Fiend framework. Version 2.18.1 is a small update that fixes Compare bugs left over from the 2.18 betas.
Key Features
Hex Fiend makes large binary files easy to work with.
- Real editing: insert, delete and rearrange, not only overwrite.
- Huge files: tested on files as large as 118 GB.
- Small footprint: files are not kept in memory.
- Fast search: find what you need quickly.
- Binary diff: compare files, with insertions and deletions considered.
- Smart saving: unchanged parts are not rewritten.
- Data inspector: integers and floats, signed or unsigned, either endian.
- Binary templates: show a file's structure through scripting.
What’s New in Version 2.18.1
Hex Fiend 2.18.1 is a small bug-fix update.
- Fixed leftover Compare bugs from the 2.18 betas
Hex Fiend FAQ
Is Hex Fiend free?
Yes. Hex Fiend is free and open source under a BSD-style licence.
What is a hex editor used for?
It shows and changes the raw bytes of a file. Hex Fiend lets you insert, delete and rearrange those bytes, not only overwrite them.
How large a file can Hex Fiend open?
The project says it can handle as big a file as you can create, and that it has been tested on files as large as 118 GB.
Does Hex Fiend load the whole file into memory?
No. It does not keep your files in memory, so it also works well on Macs with little RAM.
Can Hex Fiend compare two files?
Yes. Open both files and use the File > Compare menus. It takes insertions and deletions into account.
What does the data inspector do?
It interprets data as integer or floating point, signed or unsigned, big or little endian.
What are binary templates?
They use scripting to show the structure of a file.
Can I use Hex Fiend in my own app?
Yes. Its hex and data views can be embedded through the Hex Fiend framework, under its BSD-style licence.
Can I install Hex Fiend with Homebrew?
Yes. Run brew install --cask hex-fiend.
Where does the Hex Fiend download on hex-fiend.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official Hex Fiend releases on GitHub at https://github.com/HexFiend/HexFiend/releases/latest. hex-fiend.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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FULLMAC.app does not host this app. Download buttons lead to the developer’s own pages.