Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

NuSMV

nusmv.fbk.eu

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
Visit nusmv.fbk.eu
Spec score 7.7 #18 of 35 in Formal Verification Tools

What it is

NuSMV is a self-hosted software tool for formally verifying finite state systems. It checks systems against CTL specifications and supports LTL and PSL model checking. NuSMV 2 combines BDD-based model checking with SAT-based bounded model checking. Its SMV input language supports hierarchical descriptions, reusable components and finite data types, including booleans, scalars, bit vectors and fixed arrays. Other capabilities include an interactive text shell, invariant analysis and partitioning methods; the SAT component can connect to the Minisat solver. The project describes uses in industrial design verification, custom verification tools and research into formal verification techniques. NuSMV runs on Linux, macOS and Windows, and version 2 is open source under LGPL v2.1. The project directs general questions and bug reports to its users mailing list, with a separate list for announcements. Its FAQ says there is no current tutorial for developers extending the tool. It also warns that processes are deprecated because they can behave incorrectly with relational constructs such as TRANS, INIT or INVAR.

Spec sheet

Purpose
NuSMV is a software tool for formally verifying finite state systems.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
Audience
The project says NuSMV is designed for verifying industrial designs, serving as a core for custom verification tools, and as a testbed for formal verification techniques and other research areas.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
Platforms
The downloads page lists current binaries for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
Integrations
NuSMV2's SAT based component can connect to the Minisat SAT solver, and the project describes cooperation to integrate NuSMV into ICS's SCL Visual Modeler.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
Support
The project directs general questions and bug reports to its users mailing list and provides a separate list for announcements.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
License
NuSMV v2 is open source software distributed under the LGPL v2.1 license.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
Additional features
Features include an interactive text shell, invariant analysis, partitioning methods, LTL model checking, PSL model checking, and SAT based bounded model checking.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
Developer guidance
The FAQ says there is currently no tutorial for developers extending NuSMV, though users may email questions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
Download privacy
The privacy policy says downloads may collect an IP address and timestamp, which are retained for one year; it also describes encryption, access controls, and access logging as safeguards.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
Model checking
NuSMV 2 combines BDD based model checking with SAT based bounded model checking.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
Model language
Its input language supports modular hierarchical descriptions, reusable components, and finite data types including booleans, scalars, bit vectors, and fixed arrays.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
Modeling limitation
The FAQ says processes are deprecated because they can behave incorrectly with relational constructs such as TRANS, INIT, or INVAR.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu
Specifications
It checks finite state systems against CTL specifications and supports LTL and PSL model checking.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu

Plans and prices

NuSMV v2 Free Open source · LGPL v2.1 Read 7 Oct 2026 · nusmv.fbk.eu

Every NuSMV plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source under LGPL v2.1.
  • Supports CTL, LTL and PSL model checking.
  • Combines BDD-based and SAT-based model checking.
  • Runs on Linux, macOS and Windows.
  • Can produce counterexamples.

Limits

  • Processes are deprecated due to possible incorrect behavior.
  • No current tutorial is available for developers extending NuSMV.
  • Self-hosted deployment.

Who it suits

NuSMV suits engineers verifying finite-state industrial designs and researchers working on formal verification. It can also serve as a base for custom verification tools.

Verdict

NuSMV combines several formal verification methods and supports a structured SMV input language. Its deprecated process feature and lack of an extension tutorial are worth noting for teams building models or extending the tool.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to NuSMVAll alternatives →