PMD
6.8#2 in code clone detection toolsFree planFree planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows
VisitPMD vs Ruff
What both publish
| Fact | PMD | Ruff |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | PMD requires Java 8 or above and is distributed as a ZIP archive containing PMD and CPD. | Ruff can be installed using uv, pip, pipx, standalone installers, and package managers including Homebrew and Conda. |
| Purpose | PMD is an extensible cross-language static code analyzer that finds common programming flaws. | Ruff is a Python linter and code formatter written in Rust. |
| Support | The project directs users to Stack Overflow for questions, GitHub issues for suspected bugs or requests, and Gitter for quick questions. | The editor setup documentation says setup instructions are provided on a best-effort basis and directs users to open an issue for assistance. |
PMD plans
- PMDFree
Ruff plans
- RuffFree
Pick PMD if…
PMD suits developers and teams who want static checks across supported languages, custom rules, and duplicate-code detection. It can fit command-line, build-tool, and CI workflows, provided the required Java version is available.
Pick Ruff if…
Ruff suits Python developers who want linting, formatting, and automatic fixes in one tool. It may also suit teams using supported editors, CI integrations, or pre-commit hooks.