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Checkstyle

Checkstyle is a free tool for checking Java source code against configurable coding rules.

Place
#16 of 33
Chart
Linters
Score
6.1
Checkstyle's website

What Checkstyle is

Checkstyle is a free tool for checking Java source code against configurable coding rules. It covers naming, imports, Javadoc, formatting, class design, and other coding practices. Users can start with Google Java Style, Sun Conventions, OpenJDK Style, or Doc Style configurations, or define their own rules.

Checkstyle can run from the command line or as an Ant task, and its site documents Maven and Gradle integrations. Listed IDE and CI integrations include Eclipse, Bamboo, GitHub Actions, Codacy, and Code Climate. It supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. The current site says it parses Java language features through Java 25; versions 13.x and 14.x require Java runtime 21 or later. Its analysis works at the single-file source level and does not determine expression types or build a full inheritance hierarchy. Releases are available through GitHub releases or Maven Central, with a standalone all-in-one JAR documented. The project is licensed under LGPL-2.1-or-later and supports only its latest version.

Good

  • Free to use with configurable checks
  • Includes several supplied style configurations
  • Documents Maven and Gradle integrations
  • Lists IDE and CI integrations
  • Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows

Watch out

  • Analysis is limited to single-file source checks
  • Does not determine expression types
  • Supports only the latest version
  • Versions 13.x and 14.x require Java runtime 21 or later

Who it suits

Checkstyle suits programmers and teams writing Java to a coding standard. It is useful for projects that want configurable checks integrated into command-line, build, IDE, or CI workflows.

Verdict

Checkstyle provides configurable Java coding-standard checks and integrations across common development workflows. Its single-file analysis scope and latest-version-only support policy are important limits to note.

Plans and prices

From Checkstyle's own pricing page, checked 10 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
CheckstyleFreeJava source code analysis · configurable checks

The facts

Each one read from Checkstyle's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Analysis scope
Checkstyle performs single-file, source-level analysis and does not determine expression types or build a full inheritance hierarchy.checked 10 Oct 2026
Checks
Checks cover naming, imports, Javadoc, formatting, class design, and coding practices.checked 10 Oct 2026
Configuration
Users can choose supplied Google Java Style, Sun Conventions, OpenJDK Style, or Doc Style configurations, or create their own.checked 10 Oct 2026
Distribution
The latest release is available from GitHub releases or Maven Central, and the site documents a standalone all-in-one JAR.checked 10 Oct 2026
IDE and CI integrations
The site lists integrations and plugins for IDEs and CI tools, including Eclipse, Bamboo, GitHub Actions, Codacy, and Code Climate.checked 10 Oct 2026
Java support
The current site states that Checkstyle parses Java language features introduced in Java 25 and below.checked 10 Oct 2026
License
The project license is LGPL-2.1-or-later.checked 10 Oct 2026
Purpose
Checkstyle analyzes Java source code against configurable rules to help teams enforce coding standards.checked 10 Oct 2026
Run methods
Checkstyle can run through its command line tool or Ant task, and the site documents Maven and Gradle integrations.checked 10 Oct 2026
Runtime requirement
The site lists Java runtime 21 and above for Checkstyle versions 13.x and 14.x.checked 10 Oct 2026
Security
External DTD loading is disabled by default to prevent XXE attacks and unauthorized file-system or network access.checked 10 Oct 2026
Support policy
The project states that it supports only the latest version.checked 10 Oct 2026
Who it is for
The project describes Checkstyle as a development tool for programmers writing Java code to a coding standard.checked 10 Oct 2026

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