Hex Fiend

Hex Fiend is a free, open-source hex editor for macOS that allows developers to view and edit binary files directly in hexadecimal format. It provides a clean, native interface with features like data inspection, search/replace, and comparison tools for analyzing file structures. The tool is particularly useful for reverse engineering, debugging, and low-level file manipulation tasks.

Also known as: HexFiend, Hex Editor for Mac, Binary Editor, Hex Viewer, 0xED

Why learn Hex Fiend?

Developers should learn Hex Fiend when working with binary files, such as executables, firmware, or proprietary data formats, where direct byte-level editing is required. It's essential for tasks like patching software, analyzing file headers, or recovering corrupted data, especially in macOS environments where native hex editing tools are limited.

Learning Resources

• docs: Hex Fiend Official Documentation
• video: Hex Editing Tutorial with Hex Fiend
• course: Binary File Analysis Course
• book: Reverse Engineering for Beginners