17.9
Qodana is a static code analysis tool that checks projects from the IDE through CI for code smells, duplication, complexity, vulnerabilities, and license issues.
Free planWebAPIExtension
Best Code Complexity Analyzers in 2026
Code complexity analyzers show how difficult code is to understand and maintain. They can report complexity metrics, identify hotspots, and support checks during development or pull requests. Compare supported languages, IDE feedback, pull-request gates and trend history.
27.6
Visual Studio is a Windows IDE for building web, cloud, desktop, and mobile apps, along with services and games.
Free planAPIWindows
37.2
Qlty Cloud analyzes code quality and coverage, then reports feedback on pull requests.
Free planWebAPIExtension
- 4
Understand
Understand is a static analysis and code-comprehension tool that builds a cross-referenced model of source code without executing it.
APIExtensionLinuxmacOS7.2From $100 a month - 5
CodeScene
CodeScene is software for examining code health and how engineering teams work, helping teams decide which technical debt to address.
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted7.1From €18 a month - 6
Codacy
Codacy is a cloud-based platform for engineering teams working on code quality, security, and AI coding standards.
Free planWebExtension7.0From $18 a year - 7
CAST Highlight
CAST Highlight is SaaS software for assessing portfolios of custom business applications.
WebAPILinuxmacOS6.9From $6,800 a year - 8
PMD
PMD is a free, extensible static code analyzer that checks source code for programming flaws such as unused variables, empty catch blocks, and unnecessary object creation.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows6.8Free plan - 9
NDepend
NDepend analyzes .NET code for quality and security, serving developers, architects, and executives.
APIExtensionLinuxmacOS6.2 - 10
Lizard
LinuxmacOSWindows4.8 - 11
sccache
LinuxmacOSWindows4.8 - 12
cccc
LinuxmacOSWindows4.7 - 13
Code Complexity
LinuxmacOSWindows4.7 - 14
Code Inspector
LinuxmacOSWindows4.7 - 15
CognitiveAnalyzer
LinuxmacOSWindows4.7 - 16
SourceMeter
LinuxWindows4.6 - 17
complexity
macOS4.5 - 184.3
Choosing well
Check where it runs
The listed platform options include Linux, Windows, macOS, APIs, extensions and the web. Check whether the workflow you need is a desktop tool, browser-based service, extension or API.
If you want to review code from a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone or tablet, confirm mobile access before signing up.
Compare the analysis
Look for the complexity metrics that match your work. Hotspot detection can help direct attention to difficult areas, while trend history shows how measurements change over time.
Supported languages matter when a project uses more than one language.
Fit feedback into development
IDE feedback can surface findings while code is being edited. Pull-request gates can apply checks during review, so compare these features with the way your team works.
Review free and paid terms
A free plan is available from listed tools, and a free trial is offered by listed paid or freemium products. Check what the free plan covers and whether a trial leads to a paid subscription.
Published paid starting prices include $18 per user per month for Codacy on annual billing and €18 per month for CodeScene on annual billing.
Consider code access
If you need to read or change the analyzer, check its licence and whether the project is open source. Repository-based tools and hosted services can suit different code-access requirements.
Questions people ask
What platforms do these tools use?
Listed platform options are Linux, Windows, macOS, API, extension and web. Availability differs by tool, so confirm the specific platform you need.
Can I try a complexity analyzer for free?
A free plan is available from listed tools, while listed paid or freemium products can offer a free trial. Check the individual pricing terms.
What features should I compare?
Compare complexity metrics, supported languages, hotspot detection, IDE feedback, pull-request gates and trend history.
Are paid starting prices published?
Published examples include Codacy at $18 per user per month on annual billing and CodeScene at €18 per month on annual billing. Prices and plans vary by tool.