Dogbolt — authorized decompiler comparison (Decompiler Explorer)
Dogbolt (dogbolt.org) is the public Decompiler Explorer — “Compiler Explorer, but in reverse.” The open-source project is decompiler-explorer/decompiler-explorer (MIT). Upload only small binaries you are authorized to share with a third-party service.
Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| License (explorer code) | MIT |
| Latest checked | Live service + OSS repo (no single product version; checked 2026-10-24) |
| Job | Side-by-side decompiler comparison on small uploads |
| Stars (order of magnitude) | ~2.7k on GitHub (counts change daily) |
| Peers | Local Ghidra, Reko, RetDec |
Allowed framing
- Comparing decompiler readability on your tiny lab binaries.
- Classroom demos where uploading a self-built sample is acceptable under policy.
- Choosing which local decompiler to invest in after a quick public comparison.
Scope we will not cover
- No crackme “auto-solve commercial software” framing.
- No guidance to upload third-party proprietary binaries against policy.
- No public-site automation / scraping recipes (FAQ forbids a public API).
Beginner path (authorized only)
- Confirm your org allows uploading the sample to a third-party site.
- Prefer a tiny binary you compiled; respect the site size limit (FAQ historically ~2MB).
- Compare outputs, then reproduce findings in a local Ghidra/RetDec/Reko install for casework.
- Self-host only within the FAQ’s commercial-tool license constraints — do not republish commercial runners publicly.
- Keep RetDec vs Ghidra handy when picking a daily driver.
- Use Dogbolt for a fast authorized comparison of decompiler output.
- Prefer local decompilers for confidential or batch work.
- Refuse cracking and automation-against-policy framing.
For legal, authorized and educational use only.
FAQ
What is Dogbolt?
Dogbolt is the public Decompiler Explorer at dogbolt.org — a web front-end that runs several decompilers on a small uploaded binary so you can compare C-like output side by side.
Which version is cited?
The web service is continuously updated; the open-source front-end lives at decompiler-explorer/decompiler-explorer (MIT). Tool runners (Ghidra, Binary Ninja, IDA Hex-Rays, RetDec, Reko, angr and others listed in the FAQ) are versioned by the operators — check dogbolt.org for the live set (checked 2026-10-24).
What license applies to the explorer code?
MIT License on decompiler-explorer/decompiler-explorer (checked 2026-10-24). Commercial decompilers on the public site remain under their own vendor licenses.
Can I automate Dogbolt via a public API?
No. Upstream FAQ states there is intentionally no public API for automation. Use licensed local tools for batch pipelines.
Does this teach cracking commercial apps?
No. Upload only binaries you own or may examine. BinBench will not supply crack/keygen framing.