Code Search vs GNU GLOBAL
Code Search
code-search.techquests.devGNU GLOBAL
gnu.orgSide by side
| Figure | Code Search | GNU GLOBAL |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Code Search Tools | 8.1 (#6) | 8.1 (#7) |
| Intended users | The product is described as designed for organizations that search and change code across hundreds or thousands of repositories and want to self-host. | The project describes GNU GLOBAL as useful for hacking on large projects with many subdirectories, conditional compilation blocks, and main functions. |
| License | The project is licensed under Apache License 2.0. | GNU GLOBAL is free software that may be copied, modified, and redistributed under the GNU GPL. |
| Purpose | Code Search is a self-hosted code search and replace platform with CLI support for batch operations across repositories. | GNU GLOBAL is a source code tagging system for locating objects such as functions, macros, structs, and classes in source files. |
| Support | Community support is available through GitHub Issues, while Enterprise includes priority support. | The project directs users seeking help to the [email protected] mailing list. |
Plans
In their own words
Code Search
Code Search is a self-hosted platform for searching and changing code across repositories, with CLI support for batch work. Zoekt provides sub-second repository search; SCIP features support go-to-definition, find-references and symbol search. Teams can make replacements across multiple repositories and have the platform create branches and merge requests. A built-in MCP server connects assistants such as Claude and Cursor for code search, browsing and navigation. Supported code hosts include GitHub, GitHub Enterprise Server, GitLab, self-hosted GitLab, Gitea, and Bitbucket Cloud and Server. Deployment choices include Docker, source builds, Kubernetes and Helm. The maker says code and data stay on customer servers and the application sends no telemetry or usage data back. Community is free and includes unlimited users. Enterprise adds OIDC single sign-on, role-based repository permissions, audit logging and priority support; pricing is on request. Community support is available through GitHub Issues, and the project is licensed under Apache License 2.0.