Hound
Hound automates code review for GitHub pull requests by commenting on code quality and style issues when a pull request opens or changes.
What Hound is
Hound automates code review for GitHub pull requests by commenting on code quality and style issues when a pull request opens or changes. It works as a GitHub App, placing comments directly in the request, and uses a token to communicate with GitHub’s REST API. Supported languages include JavaScript, Ruby, Python, Swift, PHP, Sass, Go, Elixir, TypeScript, CoffeeScript, Haml and Shell. Teams can start with default style guides or customize rules for their own standards. Hound is available on the web and is described as an open-source hosted service. The pricing model is freemium: public repositories have a free plan, while private-review plans are Chihuahua at $29 a month for up to 50 reviews, Terrier at 49.00 USD for up to 300, Labrador at 99.00 USD for up to 1,000, and Husky at 199.00 USD for up to 3,000. The homepage directs questions to its Help Center or @houndci.
Good
- Comments directly on GitHub pull requests
- Supports twelve listed programming languages
- Customizable style guides
- Free plan for public repositories
- Automated analysis for GitHub
Watch out
- GitHub is the only listed code host
- Private reviews have plan limits
- Security policy link returned a 404
Who it suits
Hound suits developers and teams maintaining GitHub codebases who want automated pull-request comments and configurable style rules. It is specifically centered on GitHub workflows.
Verdict
Hound is a focused GitHub code-review service with configurable style guidance and a free public-repository option. Its fit depends on using GitHub and staying within the private-review limits of each plan.
Plans and prices
From Hound's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Public repositories | Free | Free for public repos |
| Chihuahua | $29 a month | Up to 50 private reviews · $29 month |
| Terrier | $49 a month | Up to 300 private reviews · $49 month |
| Labrador | $99 a month | Up to 1,000 private reviews · $99 month |
| Husky | $199 a month | Up to 3,000 private reviews · $199 month |
The facts
Each one read from Hound's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access method
- Hound’s help page says its GitHub App uses a token to communicate with GitHub’s REST API.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integration
- Hound is offered as a GitHub App that comments directly in pull requests.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site describes Hound as a tool for developers and teams maintaining clean, consistent codebases.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Languages
- The site lists JavaScript, Ruby, Python, Swift, PHP, Sass, Go, Elixir, TypeScript, CoffeeScript, Haml, and Shell as currently supported.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Thoughtbot says Hound is open source and describes the project as a hosted service.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Hound automates code review for GitHub pull requests by commenting on code quality and style issues.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Review limits
- The listed paid plans cap private reviews at 50, 300, 1,000, or 3,000, depending on plan.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Security information
- The Hound homepage links to a security policy explaining the access Hound needs, but that linked policy returned a 404 when opened.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Style guides
- Hound provides default style guides and lets teams customize them.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The homepage directs users to the Hound Help Center or @houndci for questions.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Workflow
- Hound reviews and comments when a GitHub pull request is opened or updated.checked 11 Oct 2026
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