# Open-source alternatives to IDA Pro

> Open-source alternatives to IDA Pro that run locally, allow commercial use and need no paid API include Ghidra (disassembly, decompilation and debugging; Apache-2.0; runs on CPU). None of the 4 projects we track covers all 4 IDA Pro jobs, so most people combine two or more.

IDA Pro: Paid Hex-Rays disassembler and decompiler suite for analysing compiled binaries, with a debugger, scripting SDK and an MCP bridge for AI assistants. Pricing: IDA Free available; IDA Home from $365/year; IDA Pro Essential from €1,099/year, Expert from €4,999/year, Ultimate from €8,599/year (annual billing only) (checked 2026-10-15). Facts checked 2026-10-15.

## Projects

| Project | Jobs | Runs locally | Commercial use | Paid services | Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Ghidra](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/ghidra) | disassembly, decompilation, debugging | Yes, desktop application on your own machine; also runs headless | Yes, Apache-2.0 | None required | 4 GB RAM, 1 GB storage; dual monitors suggested |
| [REA (Reverse Engineer Anything)](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/rea) | ai-assisted-analysis | Yes, analysis runs locally; your agent's model provider sees the tool results | Yes, MIT; commercial providers (IDA, Hopper, JEB) need their own licences, and targets' terms still apply | REA is free; it needs an MCP-capable agent (model costs depend on it); IDA, Hopper and JEB are optional paid providers, Ghidra is free | Not documented beyond Node.js 22.19+ and the chosen provider's requirements |
| [radare2](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/radare2) | disassembly, debugging, decompilation | Yes, command-line tool on your own machine | Yes under LGPL-3.0 conditions; GPL parts can be left out with --without-gpl | None required | Not documented |
| [Cutter](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/cutter) | disassembly, decompilation | Yes, desktop application | Yes, under GPL-3.0 copyleft conditions | None required | Not documented |

## Common questions

### Is there a free, open-source alternative to IDA Pro?

Yes. Ghidra, radare2, Cutter and REA (Reverse Engineer Anything) are free to download and run on your own computer without paid API keys. Each covers only part of what IDA Pro does, so check which job you need.

### Can I do disassembly locally without an IDA Pro subscription?

Yes, with Ghidra (Apache-2.0), radare2 (Custom licence) and Cutter (GPL-3.0). Check the hardware notes and licence conditions on each page before you start.

### Can I do decompilation locally without an IDA Pro subscription?

Yes, with Ghidra (Apache-2.0), radare2 (Custom licence) and Cutter (GPL-3.0). Check the hardware notes and licence conditions on each page before you start.

### Which IDA Pro alternatives can I use commercially?

Confirmed: Ghidra and REA (Reverse Engineer Anything). With conditions: Cutter and radare2. This is not legal advice; read each licence.

### Does any open-source project replace all of IDA Pro?

Not as of 2026-10-15. Disassembly, decompilation, debugging and AI-assisted analysis are covered by different projects.

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Source: RepoQuarry (https://repoquarry.dev/alternatives/ida-pro). Data licence: CC BY 4.0. Quotes are from project documentation and belong to their authors.