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Vineflower
What it is
Vineflower is a free, open-source Java decompiler intended to produce accurate, readable code. It supports modern Java, including J21 and later, and provides automatic output reformatting and multithreaded decompilation. The primary distribution is a JAR available through GitHub releases and Maven Central. You can run that JAR from the command line with archives or files as input. Output can be written to an archive or folder, or printed to the console when no destination is specified. An option can decompile Kotlin classes as Kotlin rather than Java. Vineflower can also be added through Maven or Gradle dependencies, and an IntelliJ plugin is available. A slim artifact omits built-in plugins for cases where they are unnecessary or a smaller dependency is wanted. The full distribution includes an experimental Kotlin decompiler and plugins for IntelliJ IDEA @NotNull bytecode and variable renaming. Running Vineflower requires a Java 17 or newer JVM. The project describes itself as work in progress, welcomes contributions and offers community support through Discord, Matrix, IRC and mailing lists. It is licensed under Apache-2.0.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Supports modern Java, including J21+
- Offers command-line, library and IntelliJ use
- Can output archives, folders or console text
- Includes automatic reformatting and multithreading
Against
- Requires a Java 17 or newer JVM
- Project is described as work in progress
- Kotlin decompilation is experimental
- Slim artifact omits built-in plugins
The verdict
Vineflower provides several ways to decompile Java, with configurable output and integrations for development workflows. Its required Java runtime and work-in-progress status are important considerations.
Who it suits
Vineflower suits developers who need command-line, library or IntelliJ access to Java decompilation. It is also relevant to users working with Kotlin classes and configurable archive or folder output.
Plans and prices
Vineflower
No paid plans or usage limits stated
Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
On the record
- Command line
- Vineflower can be run from the command line with a JAR and input files.vineflower.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Configurable output
- Command-line options can write output to an archive or folder, or print it to the console when no output is specified.vineflower.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Developer support
- Users can ask questions through the project’s Discord, Matrix, or IRC community spaces and mailing lists.vineflower.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Development status
- The project describes itself as work in progress and welcomes contributions.vineflower.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The primary distribution is a JAR available from GitHub releases and Maven Central.vineflower.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Vineflower has an experimental plugin system for modifying output or implementing new JVM languages, and its plugin API is still in development.vineflower.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- How to run
- Vineflower can be run from the command line as a JAR using a Java 17 or newer JVM.vineflower.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- IDE integration
- An IntelliJ plugin is available for using Vineflower in IntelliJ IDEA.vineflower.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Inputs and outputs
- Command-line inputs may include archives or files, and output can be saved to an archive or folder, or printed to the console.vineflower.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Java support
- The site says Vineflower supports modern Java (J21+), including automatic output reformatting and multithreaded decompilation.vineflower.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Kotlin plugin
- The built-in Kotlin plugin provides an experimental decompiler for Kotlin classes, except in the slim JAR distribution.vineflower.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Kotlin support
- A command-line option enables decompiling Kotlin classes as Kotlin instead of Java.vineflower.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Library use
- Vineflower is published on Maven Central and can be added as a dependency in Maven or Gradle projects.vineflower.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The project’s GitHub repository identifies its license as Apache-2.0.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Other built-in plugins
- The full distribution includes plugins for IntelliJ IDEA @NotNull bytecode and variable renaming; the slim artifact omits plugins.vineflower.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Output features
- The site lists automatic output reformatting and multithreaded decompilation.vineflower.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Project status
- Vineflower is described as a work-in-progress project, and contributions are welcomed.vineflower.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Vineflower is a modern Java decompiler designed for accurate, readable output.vineflower.org · read 11 Oct 2026
