Alternatives to Spotless

{"intro": "Spotless gives teams a free, open-source way to check source files for formatting violations or apply fixes. It spans languages and formats such as Java, Kotlin, JavaScript, Python, SQL, YAML, and Markdown, with formatter steps including Google Java Format, ktlint, Prettier, ESLint, Black, and ScalaFmt. Gradle and Maven integrations are available, alongside an external SBT integration. VS Code and IntelliJ links, Git-based options, and idempotency and encoding safeguards round out its workflow. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.\n\nAn alternative may fit better when one language, editor, or project check matters more than broad coverage. Spotless's SBT matrix leaves ratcheting and fast incremental formatting unavailable, which can influence build-tool choices. Compare whether you need formatting only, or also accessibility checks, linting, import organization, language-specific validation, browser access, or configurable style controls. Check each tool's supported platforms and integrations as well as its price model. Since every option below is free, the practical choice depends on which workflow matches your codebase more closely.", "rows": [{"ref": "sw:accessibility-test-framework-for-android", "name": "Accessibility Test Framework for Android", "best_for": "Automated accessibility checks in Android app testing", "pricing": "Free plan", "key_difference": "It checks Android accessibility properties rather than formatting source code like Spotless.", "choose_when": "Choose it when Android accessibility validation matters more than cross-language formatting."}, {"ref": "sw:black", "name": "Black", "best_for": "Opinionated Python formatting with safety checks", "pricing": "Free plan", "key_difference": "It focuses on Python, reformats whole files, and verifies equivalent abstract syntax trees.", "choose_when": "Choose it when your project is Python-focused and needs Black's fixed style and AST safety check."}, {"ref": "sw:fourmolu", "name": "Fourmolu", "best_for": "Configurable Haskell formatting", "pricing": "Open source; free", "key_difference": "It formats Haskell with extensive indentation, import, line-length, and layout controls.", "choose_when": "Choose it when Haskell formatting options and a browser demo are more useful than Spotless's broader language support."}, {"ref": "sw:ormolu", "name": "Ormolu", "best_for": "Consistent, minimal-diff Haskell formatting", "pricing": "Open source; free", "key_difference": "It uses GHC's parser and one non-configurable style specifically for Haskell.", "choose_when": "Choose it when a fixed Haskell style, minimal diffs, and Haskell tooling are the priority."}, {"ref": "sw:prettier", "name": "Prettier", "best_for": "Web-language formatting across many editors", "pricing": "Open source; free", "key_difference": "It specializes in web-focused languages, with CLI checking, save-time formatting, and plugin expansion.", "choose_when": "Choose it when web files, broad editor integrations, or automatic formatting on save outweigh Spotless's build integrations."}, {"ref": "sw:rustfmt", "name": "rustfmt", "best_for": "Rust formatting through Cargo and rustup", "pricing": "Open source; free", "key_difference": "It formats Rust targets and workspaces through Cargo but does not format comments.", "choose_when": "Choose it when Rust projects need Cargo-aware formatting and Rust-specific editor or CI workflows."}, {"ref": "sw:biome", "name": "Biome", "best_for": "Web formatting, linting, and import organization", "pricing": "Free plan", "key_difference": "It combines web formatting, lint diagnostics, safe fixes, and import organization without requiring Node.js.", "choose_when": "Choose it when one web tool should format, lint, and organize imports in a single check."}]}