10 Best Free Malware Analysis Tools To Break Down The Malware Samples – 2025

Malware analysis is a critical skill for cybersecurity professionals, threat hunters, and incident responders.

With the growing sophistication of cyber threats, having access to reliable, free malware analysis tools is essential for dissecting, understanding, and mitigating malicious software.

This article reviews the 10 best free malware analysis tools in 2025 covering their specifications, features, reasons to use, and who they’re best for.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned analyst, these tools will help you break down malware samples and enhance your cyber defense strategies.

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Comparison Table: 10 Best Free Malware Analysis Tools (2025)

Tool Name (Homepage)	Free	Static Analysis	Dynamic Analysis	OS Support	API Support	Evasion Resistant	Best For
Cuckoo Sandbox	Yes	Yes	Yes	Windows, Linux	Yes	Yes	Automated sandboxing
REMnux	Yes	Yes	Yes	Linux	No	No	Reverse engineering
VirusTotal	Yes	Yes	Limited	Web	Yes	No	Quick online scans
Hybrid Analysis	Yes	Yes	Yes	Web	Yes	Yes	Cloud-based sandbox
ANY.RUN	Yes	Yes	Yes	Web	Yes	Yes	Interactive analysis
PEStudio	Yes	Yes	No	Windows	No	No	Portable executables
Process Monitor (ProcMon)	Yes	No	Yes	Windows	No	No	System monitoring
Wireshark	Yes	No	Yes	Windows, Linux, Mac	No	No	Network traffic analysis
Ghidra	Yes	Yes	No	Windows, Linux, Mac	No	No	Reverse engineering
x64dbg	Yes	Yes	No	Windows	No	No	Debugging binaries

1. Cuckoo Sandbox

Cuckoo Sandbox is an open-source automated malware analysis platform that enables analysts to execute and observe suspicious files in a controlled virtual environment.

It supports a wide range of file types and provides detailed behavioral reports, making it a staple for malware researchers.

Specifications:

• OS: Windows, Linux
• Analysis: Static & Dynamic
• API: Yes
• Deployment: On-premise

Features:

• Modular and extensible architecture
• Analyzes executables, documents, scripts, and more
• Tracks API calls, network traffic (including SSL/TLS), and file system changes
• Integrates with Volatility for memory analysis
• Generates comprehensive, high-level reports

Reason to Buy:

• Completely free and open-source
• Highly customizable for advanced workflows
• No reliance on third-party cloud—full data control

Best For: Automated sandboxing and custom malware analysis workflows

🔗 Try Cuckoo Sandbox here → Cuckoo Sandbox Official Website

2. REMnux

REMnux is a Linux toolkit specifically designed for malware analysis and reverse engineering.

It comes preloaded with hundreds of community-vetted tools, allowing analysts to dissect malicious code without the hassle of manual setup.

Specifications:

• OS: Linux (x86/amd64, OVA, Docker)
• Analysis: Static & Dynamic
• API: No
• Deployment: Local, Cloud

Features:

• Pre-configured with tools for unpacking, deobfuscation, and network forensics
• Beginner-friendly with extensive documentation
• Easily updatable via SaltStack
• Can be deployed in the cloud or on-premise

Reason to Buy:

• Saves time with pre-installed, curated tools
• Free and open-source
• Suitable for both beginners and experts

Best For: Reverse engineering and comprehensive malware analysis

🔗 Try REMnux here → REMnux Official Website

3. VirusTotal

VirusTotal is a web-based malware scanning service that leverages dozens of antivirus engines and online tools to analyze suspicious files and URLs.

It’s a fast, easy way to get a second opinion on potential threats.

Specifications:

• OS: Web-based
• Analysis: Static (some dynamic)
• API: Yes
• Deployment: Cloud

Features:

• Scans files, URLs, IPs, and domains
• Aggregates results from multiple AV engines
• Provides hash, network, and behavior analysis
• Offers public and private submissions
• Machine learning-based detection

Reason to Buy:

• No installation required
• Extremely fast and user-friendly
• API for automation and integration

Best For: Quick online malware detection and threat intelligence

🔗 Try VirusTotal here → VirusTotal Official Website

4. Hybrid Analysis

Hybrid Analysis by CrowdStrike offers a free, cloud-based sandbox for in-depth malware analysis.

It uses AI-driven behavior scoring and supports both public and private submissions, making it accessible for individuals and teams.

Specifications:

• OS: Web-based
• Analysis: Static & Dynamic
• API: Yes
• Deployment: Cloud

Features:

• AI-powered behavioral scoring
• Detailed forensic reports
• Supports a wide range of file types
• Integration with CrowdStrike Falcon
• Minimal setup required

Reason to Buy:

• Fast, cloud-based analysis
• Public and private modes for confidentiality
• Easy integration with security platforms

Best For: Cloud-based sandbox analysis and enterprise integration

🔗 Try Hybrid Analysis here → Hybrid Analysis Official Website

5. ANY.RUN

ANY.RUN is an interactive, real-time malware analysis sandbox that lets you manually interact with malware samples during execution.

Its intuitive web interface and collaboration features make it popular among security researchers.

Specifications:

• OS: Web-based
• Analysis: Static & Dynamic
• API: Yes
• Deployment: Cloud

Features:

• Real-time, interactive analysis
• Monitors processes, network traffic, and system changes
• Collaboration tools for team analysis
• Supports Windows malware

Reason to Buy:

• Live interaction with malware for deeper insights
• Easy to use, no installation needed
• Facilitates collaborative investigations

Best For: Interactive, real-time malware analysis

🔗 Try ANY.RUN here → ANY.RUN Official Website

6. PEStudio

PEStudio is a lightweight Windows tool for static analysis of executable files. It quickly reveals suspicious indicators, such as packed sections, imports, and embedded resources, without running the file.

Specifications:

• OS: Windows
• Analysis: Static
• API: No
• Deployment: Local

Features:

• Analyzes PE files for anomalies
• Detects obfuscation, suspicious imports, and indicators of compromise
• No installation required (portable)

Reason to Buy:

• Fast, efficient static analysis
• Great for triaging large numbers of samples
• Freeware

Best For: Static analysis of Windows executables

🔗 Try PEStudio here → PEStudio Official Website

7. Process Monitor (ProcMon)

Process Monitor (ProcMon) is a Windows system monitoring tool that records real-time file system, registry, and process/thread activity.

It’s essential for observing how malware interacts with the operating system.

Specifications:

• OS: Windows
• Analysis: Dynamic
• API: No
• Deployment: Local

Features:

• Monitors and logs system calls
• Filters and highlights suspicious activity
• Exports logs for further analysis

Reason to Buy:

• Deep visibility into malware behavior
• Free and widely trusted
• No installation required

Best For: Monitoring system activity during malware execution

🔗 Try Process Monitor here → ProcMon Official Website

8. Wireshark

Wireshark is the world’s most popular network protocol analyzer, enabling analysts to capture and inspect network traffic generated by malware in real time.

Specifications:

• OS: Windows, Linux, Mac
• Analysis: Dynamic (Network)
• API: No
• Deployment: Local

Features:

• Captures and analyzes live network traffic
• Supports hundreds of protocols
• Filters and decodes suspicious communications
• Exports PCAP files for sharing

Reason to Buy:

• Essential for analyzing C2 and exfiltration traffic
• Free and open-source
• Cross-platform support

Best For: Network traffic analysis and threat hunting

🔗 Try Wireshark here → Wireshark Official Website

9. Ghidra

Ghidra is a powerful open-source reverse engineering suite developed by the NSA. It supports disassembly, decompilation, and analysis of binaries across multiple platforms.

Specifications:

• OS: Windows, Linux, Mac
• Analysis: Static (Reverse Engineering)
• API: Yes (Scripting)
• Deployment: Local

Features:

• Disassembles and decompiles binaries
• Supports scripting for automation
• Handles complex malware samples

Reason to Buy:

• Free alternative to expensive commercial tools
• Highly extensible and scriptable
• Supports a wide range of architectures

Best For: Advanced reverse engineering of malware binaries

🔗 Try Ghidra here → Ghidra Official Website

10. x64dbg

x64dbg is a free, open-source debugger for Windows binaries. It’s designed for malware analysts and reverse engineers who need to step through code and uncover hidden behaviors.

Specifications:

• OS: Windows
• Analysis: Static (Debugging)
• API: No
• Deployment: Local

Features:

• User-friendly GUI for debugging
• Supports both x86 and x64 binaries
• Plugin support for extended functionality

Reason to Buy:

• Free, modern alternative to OllyDbg
• Powerful for unpacking and analyzing packed malware
• Community-driven development

Best For: Debugging and unpacking Windows malware

🔗 Try x64dbg here → x64dbg Official Website

Conclusion

These top 10 free malware analysis tools provide a comprehensive toolkit for anyone tasked with breaking down malware samples in 2025.

From automated sandboxes and static analyzers to advanced reverse engineering suites, each tool brings unique strengths to the fight against cyber threats.

Integrate them into your workflow to stay ahead of evolving malware and protect your organization’s digital assets.

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