hashcat/hashcat
FreeWorld's fastest and most advanced password recovery utility
FreeFree tier
About hashcat/hashcat
hashcat is the world's fastest and most advanced password recovery utility. It supports five unique modes of attack for over 300 highly-optimized hashing algorithms. hashcat currently supports CPUs, GPUs, and other hardware accelerators on Linux, Windows, and macOS, and has facilities to help enable distributed password cracking. It is licensed under the MIT license and is free and open-source software.
Key Features
World's fastest password recovery utility
Over 300 highly-optimized hashing algorithms
Five unique attack modes (dictionary, combinator, brute-force, hybrid, mask)
Supports CPUs, GPUs, and other hardware accelerators
Cross-platform: Linux, Windows, macOS
Distributed password cracking support
Free and open source (MIT license)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely fast performance compared to other tools
- Supports a vast number of hash types and attack modes
- Runs on multiple operating systems and hardware (CPU, GPU, accelerators)
- Free, open source, and actively maintained
- Large community and extensive documentation
Cons
- Command-line interface can be complex for beginners
- Requires substantial hardware (especially GPU) for optimal speed
- Potential for misuse in illegal activities
- Some hash modes may lack optimization for certain hardware
Best For
Password recovery and resetPenetration testing and security auditingCracking password hashes for forensic analysisBenchmarking and performance testing of hardware
FAQ
What is hashcat?
hashcat is the world's fastest and most advanced password recovery utility, supporting five unique modes of attack for over 300 hashing algorithms. It is free and open source under the MIT license.
Which operating systems are supported?
hashcat supports Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Is hashcat free to use?
Yes, hashcat is completely free and open source, licensed under the MIT license.
What attack modes does hashcat support?
hashcat supports five unique modes of attack, including dictionary, combinator, brute-force, hybrid, and mask attacks.
Can hashcat use GPU acceleration?
Yes, hashcat supports GPUs and other hardware accelerators to dramatically speed up password cracking.