PVS

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Score7.3

Rank#2 of 33

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Windows

Summary

PVS is a mechanized environment for formal specification and verification. It combines a specification language based on typed higher-order logic with predefined theories, a type checker, an interactive theorem prover, a symbolic model checker, utilities, libraries, documentation, and examples. The language supports predicate subtypes, dependent types, and parameterized theories. Proof support includes induction, rewriting, simplification with decision procedures, abstraction, and symbolic model checking; command-line tools can re-prove theories and libraries in batch mode. PVS also supports the Yices SMT solver, ground-expression evaluation through PVSio, and random testing during proofs. PVSio includes input/output, floating-point arithmetic, exception handling, and parsing. GNU or X Emacs serves as the integrated interface, while Tcl/Tk can display proof trees and theory hierarchies. Listed applications include mathematical formalization, hardware and algorithm verification, and use as a backend for computer algebra and code verification systems. The noncommercial plan is 0.00 USD per free. Sources are under GPL, but the Allegro runtime has a separate click-through license; commercial entities need a current PVS license or should contact SRI about licensing.

Who it is for

PVS may suit people formalizing mathematics or verifying hardware and algorithms, as well as teams using formal methods in computer algebra or code-verification systems. Commercial users should review the separate runtime licensing requirement.

What is good

Includes an interactive prover and symbolic model checker.
Supports batch re-proving of theories and libraries.
Includes Yices integration and random testing during proofs.
Provides guides, tutorials, examples, and release notes.

What to know first

Building from source can depend on platform environment.
VSCode interface is described as experimental.
Commercial entities need a current PVS license or licensing contact.
Allegro runtime has a separate click-through license.

Verdict

PVS brings specification, proof, evaluation, and testing capabilities into one formal verification environment. Noncommercial use is free, but commercial users must account for licensing requirements, including the separate Allegro runtime terms.

PVS plans and pricing

All plans

PVS (noncommercial) Free Noncommercial use; Allegro runtime requires accepting a click-through license pvs.csl.sri.com · 30 Sept 2026

PVS (commercial) Not published Commercial users need a current PVS license or must contact SRI for licensing pvs.csl.sri.com · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on formal verification tools

Free plan: Yespvs.csl.sri.com
Verification method: hybridpvs.csl.sri.com
Supported formalisms: theorem-provingpvs.csl.sri.com
Counterexamples: Yespvs.csl.sri.com
Proof artifacts: Yespvs.csl.sri.com
Input languages: PVS specification language (typed higher-order logic)pvs.csl.sri.com
Deployment: self-hostedpvs.csl.sri.com

Facts

Purpose: PVS is a mechanized environment for formal specification and verification.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
Core components: PVS includes a specification language, predefined theories, a type checker, an interactive theorem prover, a symbolic model checker, utilities, documentation, libraries, and examples.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
Proof automation: The prover includes inference procedures for induction, rewriting, simplification using decision procedures, abstraction, and symbolic model checking.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
Additional capabilities: PVS supports the Yices SMT solver, PVSio evaluation of ground expressions, and random testing during proofs.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
User interface: PVS uses GNU or X Emacs as an integrated interface and can display proof trees and theory hierarchies with Tcl/Tk.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
Typical users and applications: Listed applications include mathematical formalization, hardware and algorithm verification, and use as a backend for computer algebra and code verification systems.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
Platforms: The download page lists current 64-bit versions for Linux and MacOSX and says Windows may run PVS 7.1 or later through Vagrant and VirtualBox.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
License and commercial use: PVS sources are under GPL; commercial entities without a current PVS license are directed to contact PVS licensing.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
Build limitation: The download page says building from GitHub sources can be sensitive to the platform environment.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
Integrations and libraries: The downloads page links to a NASA PVS Library and a VSCode PVS Plugin.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
Support: Users can report bugs by email or GitHub and ask questions through a Google Group or moderated help mailing list.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
Security contact: The PVS developers' contact address is listed for licensing questions, security concerns, feature requests, and suggestions.pvs.csl.sri.com · 29 Sept 2026
Specification language: Its language is based on typed higher-order logic and supports predicate subtypes, dependent types, and parameterized theories.pvs.csl.sri.com · 30 Sept 2026
Proof capabilities: The interactive prover includes inference procedures for induction, rewriting, simplification, decision procedures, and symbolic model checking.pvs.csl.sri.com · 30 Sept 2026
Batch proving: PVS includes proof scripts and command-line tools to re-prove theories and libraries in batch mode.pvs.csl.sri.com · 30 Sept 2026
Evaluation and testing: PVS includes a ground evaluator, random testing capability, and integration with the Yices SMT solver.pvs.csl.sri.com · 30 Sept 2026
PVSio: PVSio supports evaluation and animation with features including input/output, floating-point arithmetic, exception handling, and parsing.pvs.csl.sri.com · 30 Sept 2026
Integration: The downloads page links a VSCode PVS plugin and the NASA PVS library; the documentation describes the VSCode interface as experimental.pvs.csl.sri.com · 30 Sept 2026
Licensing: PVS sources are under GPL, and the Allegro runtime has a separate click-through license; noncommercial entities may freely download it subject to that agreement.pvs.csl.sri.com · 30 Sept 2026
Commercial licensing limit: Commercial entities need an existing current PVS license or should contact the licensing address before downloading the Allegro runtime.pvs.csl.sri.com · 30 Sept 2026
Documentation: The site provides system, language, and prover guides, tutorials, examples, and release notes, while noting that manuals may not cover newer features.pvs.csl.sri.com · 30 Sept 2026