# xortool.py

xortool.py is a Malware Analysis product. It runs on-premises. Pricing is free.

A Python 3 tool for analyzing XOR-encrypted data that can guess key lengths and decrypt XOR ciphers based on character frequency analysis.

Checked October 2026.

## What is xortool.py?

xortool.py is a Python 3-based cryptographic analysis tool designed for XOR cipher analysis and decryption.

The tool provides two primary analytical capabilities for XOR-encrypted data. First, it can estimate the key length by analyzing the frequency of equal characters within the encrypted data, using statistical patterns to identify likely key sizes. Second, it attempts to determine the actual XOR key by leveraging knowledge of the most frequently occurring characters in typical plaintext.

The tool operates through command-line interface and requires Python 3 for execution. Installation is available through pip package manager or can be built from source using poetry for development purposes.

xortool.py is particularly useful for reverse engineering scenarios where XOR encryption has been applied to obfuscate data or code, making it a valuable resource for malware analysts and security researchers working with encrypted or encoded samples.

Tags: Reverse Engineering, Open Source, Security Tools

## Where it fits in your security program (NIST CSF 2.0)

- [Respond](https://cybersectools.com/guides/building-respond-program-small-team): helps you contain and handle incidents.

## Quick facts

- Category: [Security Operations](https://cybersectools.com/categories/security-operations) · [Malware Analysis](https://cybersectools.com/categories/malware-analysis)
- Deployment: On-Premises
- Company size fit: Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise
- Pricing model: Free
- GitHub stars: 1,476
- Website: github.com

## Where it ranks

No shortlist covers this product's category yet. The closest is [Best MDR Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-mdr-solutions).

## xortool.py FAQ

### What is xortool.py?

xortool.py is a product in the Malware Analysis category. It covers Reverse Engineering, Open Source and Security Tools.

### What is the pricing for xortool.py?

xortool.py is free. Download and setup instructions are at https://github.com/hellman/xortool/.

### What are alternatives to xortool.py?

Alternatives to xortool.py listed on CybersecTools:

1. [Trail of Bits PolyTracker](https://cybersectools.com/tools/trail-of-bits-polytracker) - Instruments programs to trace data and control flow through parsers and binary code (Free)
2. [GrammaTech DDisasm](https://cybersectools.com/tools/grammatech-ddisasm) - Fast disassembler producing reassemblable assembly code using Datalog (Free)
3. [Joe Security Joe Reverser](https://cybersectools.com/tools/joe-security-joe-reverser) - Agentic AI tool for automated malware reverse engineering & phishing analysis. (Commercial)
4. [Unknown Cyber Magic™](https://cybersectools.com/tools/unknown-cyber-magictm) - AI-powered malware analysis & threat research platform with chat interface. (Commercial)
5. [Zenyard RE Agent](https://cybersectools.com/tools/zenyard-re-agent) - AI agent for in-depth binary analysis and reverse engineering assistance. (Commercial)

Compare all xortool.py alternatives at [https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/xortoolpy](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/xortoolpy)

### What deployment and organization size does xortool.py fit?

xortool.py is available as on-premises software. It is listed for startups, small businesses, mid-market companies and enterprises. It is free.

## Compare xortool.py with similar solutions

- [xortool.py vs Trail of Bits PolyTracker](https://cybersectools.com/compare/trail-of-bits-polytracker-vs-xortoolpy)
- [xortool.py vs GrammaTech DDisasm](https://cybersectools.com/compare/grammatech-ddisasm-vs-xortoolpy)
- [xortool.py vs Joe Security Joe Reverser](https://cybersectools.com/compare/joe-security-joe-reverser-vs-xortoolpy)

All alternatives to xortool.py: [/alternatives/xortoolpy](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/xortoolpy)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/tools/xortoolpy

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