X-Ways Forensics

Q: How much does X-Ways Forensics cost?

From $1,560, or $4,040 for a perpetual licence. The non-perpetual licence runs 1 to 3 years. Volume prices are lower for 2 or more and 5 or more licences.

Q: Is there an X-Ways Forensics free trial?

Not for the public. Trial licences are granted only on request to law enforcement, government agencies and certain corporations.

Q: What is the difference between X-Ways Forensics and X-Ways Investigator?

Investigator is a simpler version. It is aimed at police, lawyers and auditors who are not forensic specialists, and it costs about half as much.

Q: What operating systems does X-Ways Forensics run on?

Windows only. It supports Windows 7 to 11 and Windows Server 2008 to 2025, 32 and 64 bit, and also runs from Windows PE or a Windows Forensic Environment.

Q: Who makes X-Ways Forensics?

X-Ways Software Technology AG, in Germany. The same company makes WinHex, X-Ways Imager and X-Ways Investigator.

Q: What are good X-Ways Forensics alternatives?

Other forensic suites, both free and paid. See our X-Ways Forensics alternatives list.

Windows forensics suite built on WinHex, from X-Ways Software Technology AG.

Computer forensicsWindowsMade in Germany

Visit x-ways.net ↗Last verified: 5 Nov 2026

Fact-checked

Refael EliyahuMarketing, Startup StashEconomics-trained and numbers-first. He owns content, SEO, and distribution here, and every tools page goes through him before the Fact-checked mark goes live.

21.9Current version

$1,560Non-perpetual licence, from

$4,040Perpetual licence, from

Windows7 to 11, Server 2008 to 2025

The short version

What is X-Ways Forensics and how much does it cost?

X-Ways Forensics is a commercial Windows forensics suite from X-Ways Software Technology AG in Germany, built on its WinHex disk editor. Licences start at $1,560 for a time-limited licence or $4,040 for a perpetual one, and version 21.9 is current.

It covers disk imaging and cloning, RAID, LVM and partition reconstruction, file systems from NTFS and exFAT to ext4 and APFS, file carving, mass hashing, search, and viewers for the registry, event logs and browser data. It is portable, so it can run from a USB stick without installation. There is no public trial: trial licences go only to law enforcement, government agencies and some companies, on request. X-Ways Investigator, a simpler version for non-specialists, costs about half.

Bottom line: X-Ways Forensics suits examiners who want a portable Windows suite and are buying a licence for real casework. If you are learning or need a free toolkit, start with SIFT Workstation instead.

What it does

Key features

Imaging and file systems

Clone and image disks, read RAID, LVM and partition structures, and open NTFS, FAT, exFAT, ext4, APFS, HFS+ and more.

Carving, hashing and search

Carve files from unallocated space, calculate hashes in bulk and search with GREP expressions.

Artifacts and timelines

View the registry, event logs and browser artifacts, parse e-mail and review events on a timeline.

Cases and add-ons

Case management with multiple examiners and audit logs, an X-Tensions API for add-ons, and AI photo analysis through Excire Forensics.

What it costs

X-Ways Forensics pricing (2026)

Plan	Price	What you get
Forensics, non-perpetual	$1,560	1, 2 or 3 years, usable right away with BYOD. $1,439 each for 2 or more, $1,330 for 5 or more.
Forensics, perpetual	$4,040	Indefinite use with a dongle or BYOD, updates until Nov 2027. $3,719 each for 2 or more, $3,435 for 5 or more.
Investigator, perpetual	$2,079	Simplified version for police, lawyers and auditors, updates until Nov 2027.
Trial	Not public	Only on request, for law enforcement, government agencies and certain companies.

Prices in US dollars from the x-ways.net order page, before VAT or sales tax. Network dongles, BYOD+ and longer or shorter update periods change the price.

Honest fit

Who it's for, who it isn't

Pick X-Ways Forensics if

You are a forensic examiner working on Windows
You need wide file system and RAID support in one tool
You want a perpetual licence rather than a subscription
You want a tool that runs from a USB stick without installing

Look elsewhere if

You want to try it free before you buy
You need to run it natively on macOS or Linux
You are learning DFIR on a zero budget
You want a simple interface for occasional, non-specialist use

What people ask

X-Ways Forensics FAQ

How much does X-Ways Forensics cost?

From $1,560, or $4,040 for a perpetual licence. The non-perpetual licence runs 1 to 3 years. Volume prices are lower for 2 or more and 5 or more licences.

Is there an X-Ways Forensics free trial?

Not for the public. Trial licences are granted only on request to law enforcement, government agencies and certain corporations.

What is the difference between X-Ways Forensics and X-Ways Investigator?

Investigator is a simpler version. It is aimed at police, lawyers and auditors who are not forensic specialists, and it costs about half as much.

What operating systems does X-Ways Forensics run on?

Windows only. It supports Windows 7 to 11 and Windows Server 2008 to 2025, 32 and 64 bit, and also runs from Windows PE or a Windows Forensic Environment.

Who makes X-Ways Forensics?

X-Ways Software Technology AG, in Germany. The same company makes WinHex, X-Ways Imager and X-Ways Investigator.

What are good X-Ways Forensics alternatives?

Other forensic suites, both free and paid. See our X-Ways Forensics alternatives list.

Keep comparing

X-Ways Forensics alternatives

X-Ways Forensics alternativesOther forensic suites

SIFT Workstation alternativesFree forensics toolkits

Computer forensics softwareEvery forensics tool we list