APKTool vs XSSer: Which Cyber Investigation Platform tool is Best in 2025?

APKTool is an open-source command-line utility, pre-installed on Kali Linux at /usr/bin/apktool, designed for reverse engineering Android application package (APK) files. Maintained by Connor Tumbleson (iBotPeaches) and originally developed by JesusFreke, APKTool decompiles APKs into nearly original resources and smali code, enabling modifications, debugging, and recompilation. Ideal for cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, and Android developers, it supports vulnerability analysis, malware inspection, and app localization. With a project-like structure and automation for repetitive tasks, APKTool streamlines APK manipulation.

XSSer, also known as Cross-Site Scripter, is a robust, open-source penetration testing tool designed to detect, exploit, and report Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in web applications. Built for security researchers and ethical hackers, it automates the process of identifying XSS flaws, including reflected, persistent, and DOM-based vulnerabilities. XSSer is pre-installed on Kali Linux, a leading penetration testing distribution, and supports multiple platforms like Ubuntu, ArchLinux, and Fedora. With features like payload customization, firewall bypass techniques, and detailed reporting, XSSer is a go-to tool for assessing web application security.