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CPAchecker

cpachecker.sosy-lab.org

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Spec score 8.0 #10 of 34 in Formal Verification Tools

What it is

CPAchecker is a configurable software verification tool based on configurable program analysis concepts. It accepts C and SV-LIB inputs, lists predicate analysis for SV-LIB programs, and supports invariants, counterexamples, and proof artifacts. It can also validate termination witnesses in YAML formats 2.1 and 1.0. The project lists a hybrid verification method and provides a self-hosted deployment. CPAchecker is free software under the Apache 2.0 License. Version 4.2.2, released in December 2025, is available as Unix and Windows ZIP archives; Debian and Ubuntu users can install it from the SoSy-Lab APT repository, and a Docker image is available. Java 21 or later is required as of version 4.2. An older version, 1.6.1, can be accessed through a web interface, where some functions are unavailable in the restricted environment. Documentation includes installation instructions, tutorials, and getting-started guidance. Installation questions, bug reports, and suggestions can go to the users mailing list or issue tracker. The project is based in Munich, Germany.

Spec sheet

Purpose
CPAchecker is a tool for configurable software verification based on configurable program analysis concepts.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Support
The project directs installation questions, bug reports, and suggestions to its CPAchecker users mailing list, and also provides an issue tracker.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Headquarters
Munich, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Analysis support
The page lists predicate analysis support for SV-LIB programs and validation of termination witnesses in YAML formats 2.1 and 1.0.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Container support
The project provides a Docker image named sosylab/cpachecker:4.2.2.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Development
Development takes place on GitLab, and the download page also links to a read-only GitHub mirror.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Documentation
The documentation page links to installation instructions, getting-started guidance, tutorials, and a counterexample report for a program with a bug found by CPAchecker.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Linux installation
Debian and Ubuntu users can install CPAchecker through the SoSy-Lab APT repository.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Newer Linux requirements
The project says most configurations will require Ubuntu 24.04, Debian 13, or newer after the next release because of common SMT solver system requirements.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Online version
An older version, 1.6.1, is available through a web interface, where some features are unavailable because of the restricted environment.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Release
The download page lists version 4.2.2, released in December 2025, with Unix and Windows ZIP archives.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Requirements
The download page says Java 21 or later is required as of CPAchecker 4.2.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
Security and compliance
The download page identifies the license as Apache 2.0; it does not state a security certification or compliance standard.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org

Plans and prices

CPAchecker Free Free software under the Apache 2.0 License · latest binary release 4.2.2 Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org

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Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free under the Apache 2.0 License.
  • Supports C and SV-LIB inputs.
  • Provides counterexamples and proof artifacts.
  • Docker image and Linux package installation are available.
  • Documentation includes tutorials and installation guidance.

Limits

  • Java 21 or later is required for version 4.2.
  • Some features are unavailable in the older web version.
  • Newer Linux requirements are expected after the next release.

Who it suits

CPAchecker suits users verifying software in C or SV-LIB who can run a self-hosted tool. It may also fit teams seeking counterexamples or proof artifacts as verification outputs.

Verdict

CPAchecker offers configurable verification with a defined set of input languages, outputs, and deployment options. Check the Java and Linux requirements against the systems where you plan to run it.

Where Specifiction places it

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