python-evtx vs GrokEVT: 2026 Comparison
python-evtx is a free digital forensics and incident response tool. GrokEVT is a free digital forensics and incident response tool. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best digital forensics and incident response fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of available product data, here is our conclusion:
Forensic analysts and incident responders who need to parse Windows Event Logs on Linux or macOS will appreciate python-evtx's pure Python implementation, which eliminates the Windows-only dependency that hobbles commercial parsers. The 753 GitHub stars and active maintenance signal this handles real-world .evtx corruption and edge cases that trip up hastily written alternatives. Skip this if your team expects a GUI or automated timeline generation; python-evtx is a parsing library, not a forensic workbench, and you'll write Python to extract what you need.
Forensic analysts and incident responders who need to parse Windows event logs without commercial tools should reach for GrokEVT; it converts raw EVT files to readable formats fast enough to triage during active investigations. The tool is free and maintained on GitHub, removing licensing friction when you're building a lean forensics toolkit. Skip this if your team relies on GUI-driven analysis or needs to correlate events across multiple log sources in a single interface; GrokEVT is a command-line converter, not a log aggregation platform.
