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Best Linters in 2026

Linters help flag code issues and check conventions, whether you use them while editing or in automated checks. Compare languages supported, IDE support and CI support, then consider autofix, custom rules and security rules for the kinds of feedback and corrections you need.

  1. 01 Cppcheck

    It suits C and C++ developers seeking static analysis, including teams working with embedded syntax or safety-critical standards.

    Free plan Open source Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    8.8 Visit Specs
  2. 02 Flake8
    Free plan Open source Windows · macOS · Linux · API
    8.8 Visit Specs
  3. 03 JSHint

    JSHint suits JavaScript developers who want configurable checks for syntax errors and common code problems.

    Free plan Open source Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.7 Visit Specs
  4. 04 clang-tidy
    Free plan Linux
    8.5 Visit Specs
  5. 05 actionlint

    actionlint suits developers who maintain GitHub Actions workflows and want syntax, expression, validation, and security checks.

    Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.3 Visit Specs
  6. 06 PMD

    PMD suits developers and teams who want static checks and duplicate-code detection in their build or CI workflows.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    8.3 Visit Specs
  7. 07 Biome

    Biome suits teams working on web projects that want formatting, linting, and import organization in a single toolchain.

    Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.2 Visit Specs
  8. 08 Astral

    Astral suits Python developers looking for free, permissively licensed tools for linting and package or project management.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.1 Visit Specs
  9. 09 Checkstyle

    It suits programmers and teams writing Java to a defined coding standard.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.0 Visit Specs
  10. 10 ESLint
    Free plan API · Self-hosted · Browser extension
    8.0 Visit Specs
  11. 11 SwiftLint

    SwiftLint suits Swift developers who want configurable style checks in local development, Xcode or Swift Package Manager workflows, or CI.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.0 Visit Specs
  12. 12 cpplint
    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.9 Visit Specs
  13. 13 Hadolint

    Hadolint suits developers and teams reviewing Dockerfiles locally, in editors, pre-commit checks, or CI pipelines.

    Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.9 Visit Specs
  14. 14 Reek
    Free plan Linux
    7.9 Visit Specs
  15. 15 Credo
    Free plan
    7.8 Visit Specs
  16. 16 detekt

    detekt suits Kotlin developers who want configurable static analysis in builds, IDEs, or CI.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.8 Visit Specs
  17. 17 golangci-lint

    It suits Go developers who want configurable linting across editors and CI systems.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.8 Visit Specs
  18. 18 Luacheck
    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.8 Visit Specs
  19. 19 HLint

    HLint suits Haskell developers who want warnings, configurable rules, editor or CI integration, and optional automated refactoring.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.7 Visit Specs
  20. 20 Oxc

    Oxc suits JavaScript and TypeScript developers, particularly teams working in large repositories or CI environments.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.7 Visit Specs
  21. 21 PHPMD

    PHPMD suits PHP developers and teams who want rule-based checks for code quality, possible errors, and security concerns.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.7 Visit Specs
  22. 22 Ruff

    Ruff suits Python developers who want linting, formatting, and automatic fixes in one tool.

    Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.7 Visit Specs
  23. 23 Clippy
    Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.6 Visit Specs
  24. 24 ShellCheck

    ShellCheck suits people writing Bash or sh scripts who want checks in an editor, terminal, web page, build, or test suite.

    Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.6 Visit Specs
  25. 25 SQLFluff

    It suits ELT teams that want consistent SQL style and syntax checks across many dialects.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · API
    7.6 Visit Specs
How this list is ordered. Specifiction scores each tool on how fully its maker documents it, whether its prices are published, where the research puts it, the platforms it runs on and whether it can be tried for free (how we rank). Makers can also buy a numbered place (how Specifiction is paid for).

Free-plan availability and the listed paid-from price offer further points of comparison. Cppcheck, Biome and Astral are among the tools shown. Consider where linting needs to run and which language coverage and rules matter to your work.

Compare Cppcheck and Flake8 Get a place on this list

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