What ArmDot is
ArmDot is a commercial .NET obfuscator from Softanics. Its headline feature is code virtualization: selected methods are compiled to custom bytecode that runs on an interpreter embedded in the assembly.
We offer the same class of protection, so the comparison is mainly about how you buy and run the tool. ArmDot is a desktop and CLI product that runs on Windows, Linux and macOS, and it ships a licensing API for serial keys and activation.
We run in the browser, with no install and no licence to manage, and our protection layers sit behind the Pro tier.
ArmDot pricing
ArmDot: Commercial. Single developer $499 (includes one year of updates), site licence $1,799, free 30-day evaluation. Checked Oct 2026 from vendor-affiliated sources — confirm with Softanics.
FreeObfuscator: free to use with no account. An optional Pro plan adds larger files, batch obfuscation, string encryption, control-flow obfuscation and an HTTP API for CI/CD.
Capabilities side by side
| Capability | ArmDot | FreeObfuscator |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol renaming | Yes | Yes |
| Code virtualization Ours: Pro, method-level opt-in | Yes | Paid tier |
| String encryption Ours: Pro | Yes | Paid tier |
| Control-flow obfuscation Ours: Pro | Yes | Paid tier |
| Runs locally We process server-side | Yes | No |
| Zero configuration | No | Yes |
| Works from any OS Ours: any browser | Partial | Yes |
| Free tier ArmDot: 30-day evaluation | Partial | Yes |
| HTTP API for CI Pro plan | No | Paid tier |
Where ArmDot is strong
- Code virtualization is a headline feature, not an add-on.
- Runs on Windows, Linux and macOS, with a desktop and CLI workflow.
- Built-in licensing API for serial keys and activation.
- Perpetual licence: the software keeps working after purchase.
Where it costs you
- Commercial licence; the single-developer price is $499 and includes one year of updates.
- Some protections, such as anti-tamper, are Windows-only, and the vendor's own comparison rates anti-tamper as experimental.
- Most published comparisons are from the vendor or its affiliates, so weigh them accordingly.
Choosing between them
Choose ArmDot if
- You need virtualization and a licence you can keep using without renewals.
- Your code cannot leave your network.
- You want a desktop or CLI tool that runs on Linux or macOS.
Choose FreeObfuscator if
- You want to try it on your assembly before paying anything.
- You do not want to install or manage a licence.
- You want a subscription with no large upfront cost.
The verdict
ArmDot is a serious product with real virtualization and offline use, and if your code cannot leave your network it is the right choice. For a quick, low-commitment pass on a single assembly, we are the lower-friction option; both offer the same main protection idea.
Worth knowing before you decide: what obfuscation actually protects against sets realistic expectations about how far any of these tools go.