Getting started with Cutter (Rizin GUI)

Last updated: · By the BinBench editorial team · Stars and releases checked via the GitHub API
For legal, authorized and educational use only. Only analyze software you own or have written permission to examine.
Quick answer

Cutter (cutter.re, rizinorg/cutter) is a free, GPL-3.0 reverse-engineering GUI powered by Rizin. The latest release checked on 2026-10-18 (UTC) is v2.5.0 (published 2026-06-30 UTC). Official builds bundle a native Ghidra decompiler integration so you can read C-like pseudocode beside disassembly without running a separate Java Ghidra install for that pane.

Use Cutter only on binaries you are authorized to analyze.

On this page

Project facts

ProjectCutter
EngineRizin
LicenseGPL-3.0 (Cutter) / LGPL-3.0 (Rizin)
Latest releasev2.5.0 (2026-06-30 UTC)
Sitecutter.re
Verified2026-10-18 (UTC)

Install

  1. Open cutter.re or the v2.5.0 release.
  2. Download the asset for your OS (AppImage / DMG / Windows zip).
  3. On Linux, mark the AppImage executable if required; on macOS, follow Gatekeeper prompts for a signed/notarized build when provided.
  4. Optional: install Rizin CLI separately if you want terminal workflows alongside the GUI.

BinBench does not host binaries.

First authorized session

  1. File → Open a program you compiled or otherwise may analyze.
  2. Let auto-analysis finish; open the Disassembly, Graph and Decompiler widgets.
  3. Jump to main / entry via the functions list; follow xrefs and strings.
  4. Use the integrated Rizin console when you need a CLI command the GUI does not expose.
  5. Save a project/notes for your own records — do not publish proprietary code.
Authorized binary → Open in Cutter → Auto-analysis → Graph + Decompiler → Document

What you get out of the box

Feature (product site)Notes
Rizin coreThousands of RE features via GUI or console
Graph + mini-graphControl-flow navigation
DecompilerNative Ghidra decompiler in official releases
Hex editorView/patch bytes (authorized files only)
DebuggerMultiplatform debugger listed as beta on cutter.re
ScriptingPython scripting + plugins
ThemesLight, Native, Dark, Midnight

Cutter vs Ghidra (beginner view)

Prefer Cutter when…Prefer Ghidra when…
You want a Qt GUI on the Rizin stackYou want the full NSA Ghidra ecosystem / headless scripts
You like an integrated Rizin consoleYour lab already standardizes on Ghidra projects
You want release builds without managing a JDK for the decompiler paneYou need Ghidra-specific extensions and shared .gpr workflows

Both are free. Try the same authorized sample in each.

FAQ

Is Cutter free?

Yes. Cutter is GPL-3.0 and powered by Rizin (LGPL-3.0). Official builds are free on cutter.re and GitHub Releases.

Do I need to install Java for the decompiler?

Official Cutter releases integrate a native Ghidra decompiler path — the product site states "No Java involved" for that integration. Still verify on your build's docs if you compile from source with different options.

Is Cutter the same as radare2?

No. Cutter is a GUI on Rizin. Rizin is a fork of radare2. See radare2 vs Rizin vs Cutter.

Which platforms are supported?

Official v2.5.0 assets include Linux AppImages, macOS DMGs (arm64 and x86_64) and a Windows x86_64 zip.

Can I use Cutter to bypass software licenses?

No. Authorized targets only. BinBench will not help with license bypass.

Sources