Pros of Magisk

• Provides root access and system-level modifications
• Offers a wide range of modules for customization
• Supports systemless modifications, preserving system integrity

Cons of Magisk

• Requires unlocking the bootloader, which may void warranty
• Higher risk of security vulnerabilities due to root access
• More complex setup process compared to Shizuku

Code Comparison

Magisk (C++):

static int magisk_main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
    if (argc > 1 && strcmp(argv[1], "-c") == 0) {
        printf(MAGISK_VERSION ":MAGISK\n");
        return 0;
    }
    // ...
}

Shizuku (Java):

public class ShizukuProvider extends ContentProvider {
    @Override
    public boolean onCreate() {
        ShizukuProvider.init(getContext());
        return true;
    }
    // ...
}

Magisk focuses on low-level system modifications using C++, while Shizuku provides a Java-based API for app permissions and system interactions. Magisk's code deals with version checking and command-line arguments, whereas Shizuku's code initializes a ContentProvider for app communication.

Pros of LSPosed

• More comprehensive system-level modifications
• Supports a wider range of Android versions
• Larger community and more extensive module ecosystem

Cons of LSPosed

• Requires more complex setup and root access
• Higher risk of system instability if not used carefully
• May void device warranty or trigger SafetyNet checks

Code Comparison

LSPosed typically involves more complex code for system-level hooks:

@ArtMethod("com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerService->getApplicationInfo")
public class PackageManagerServiceHook {
    public ApplicationInfo hook(ApplicationInfo originalInfo) {
        // Modify application info
        return modifiedInfo;
    }
}

Shizuku often uses simpler API calls for app-level modifications:

ShizukuBinderWrapper binder = new ShizukuBinderWrapper(IBinder.FIRST_CALL_TRANSACTION) {
    @Override
    protected Bundle run() throws RemoteException {
        // Perform privileged operations
        return result;
    }
};

Both projects aim to enhance Android functionality, but LSPosed focuses on system-wide modifications, while Shizuku provides a more controlled approach for specific app enhancements.

Pros of XposedInstaller

• More established and widely used in the Android modding community
• Offers a broader range of system-level modifications
• Supports a vast ecosystem of Xposed modules

Cons of XposedInstaller

• Requires rooting the device, which can void warranties and compromise security
• May cause system instability or compatibility issues with certain apps
• Development has slowed down in recent years

Code Comparison

XposedInstaller (Java):

public class XposedApp extends Application {
    @Override
    public void onCreate() {
        super.onCreate();
        XposedBridge.initXposed(this);
    }
}

Shizuku (Kotlin):

class ShizukuApplication : Application() {
    override fun onCreate() {
        super.onCreate()
        Shizuku.initialize(this)
    }
}

Both projects aim to provide enhanced functionality for Android devices, but they take different approaches. XposedInstaller is a more traditional framework that requires root access and modifies the system at a deeper level. Shizuku, on the other hand, focuses on providing elevated permissions to apps without requiring root, making it a safer and more user-friendly option for many users.

While XposedInstaller offers more extensive customization options, Shizuku provides a balance between functionality and system integrity. The code comparison shows that both projects have similar initialization processes, but Shizuku's use of Kotlin reflects its more modern development approach.

Pros of Xposed

• More established and widely adopted in the Android modding community
• Supports a broader range of Android versions and devices
• Offers deeper system-level modifications and hooks

Cons of Xposed

• Requires device rooting and system modification
• Can potentially cause system instability or security vulnerabilities
• Development has slowed down in recent years

Code Comparison

Xposed module implementation:

public class MyXposedModule implements IXposedHookLoadPackage {
    public void handleLoadPackage(LoadPackageParam lpparam) throws Throwable {
        XposedHelpers.findAndHookMethod("com.example.app.MainActivity", lpparam.classLoader,
            "onCreate", Bundle.class, new XC_MethodHook() {
                @Override
                protected void beforeHookedMethod(MethodHookParam param) throws Throwable {
                    // Modification logic here
                }
            });
    }
}

Shizuku implementation:

public class MyShizukuService extends IMyAidlInterface.Stub {
    @Override
    public void doSomething() {
        // Privileged operation logic here
    }
}

// In your app
ShizukuBinderWrapper wrapper = new ShizukuBinderWrapper(new MyShizukuService());
IMyAidlInterface service = IMyAidlInterface.Stub.asInterface(wrapper);
service.doSomething();

While Xposed focuses on system-wide method hooking, Shizuku provides a framework for running privileged operations through a service, offering a different approach to extending app functionality on Android devices.

Pros of libsuperuser

• Lightweight and focused on root access functionality
• Well-established and widely used in the Android development community
• Simple implementation for basic root operations

Cons of libsuperuser

• Limited scope compared to Shizuku's broader feature set
• Less active development and updates
• May require more manual handling of root permissions

Code Comparison

Shizuku (Java):

@SystemService
IPackageManager getPackageManager() {
    return IPackageManager.Stub.asInterface(
        Shizuku.getBinder(Context.PACKAGE_SERVICE));
}

libsuperuser (Java):

Shell.SU.run("pm list packages");

Shizuku provides a more integrated approach to accessing system services, while libsuperuser focuses on executing shell commands with root privileges. Shizuku offers a higher level of abstraction and potentially safer access to system functionalities, whereas libsuperuser provides a more direct but potentially riskier method of executing root commands.

Both libraries serve different purposes and cater to different use cases in Android development. Shizuku is more suitable for apps requiring extensive system integration, while libsuperuser is better for simpler root-based operations.