Biome

Overview

Biome brings formatting and linting together, and its check command can also organize imports. That consolidation is useful when a project wants a single command for recurring maintenance rather than separate steps. The standalone executable runs without Node.js, which may suit teams that want to use Biome without making Node.js a prerequisite.

Installation instructions cover npm, pnpm, bun, deno and yarn. The project is open source under either the MIT or Apache 2.0 license and describes its toolchain as intended for web projects.

Key features

Formatting and linting

The formatter handles JavaScript, TypeScript, JSX, TSX, JSON, HTML, CSS and GraphQL. Lint rules cover JavaScript, TypeScript, JSX, CSS and GraphQL, with diagnostics and safe fixes. Autofix, custom rules and security rules are also listed, alongside support for 17 languages. This gives web teams a broad set of maintenance tasks within one toolchain, though the published formatter and linter language lists are not identical.

One command for checks

The check command can format, lint and organize imports together. That is a useful fit for projects aiming to keep routine checks and cleanup in a common workflow; teams needing distinct tools for each task may not value that consolidation as much.

Editor and CI integrations

First-party extensions cover VS Code, IntelliJ and Zed, while community extensions include Vim, Neovim and Sublime Text. CI integrations are linked for GitHub Actions and GitLab CI. These options make Biome relevant to teams that want to place checks in an editor as well as an automated workflow, although integration availability differs by editor.

Pricing

Open-source Biome — free

The Open-source Biome plan costs 0.00 USD per free and provides an open-source toolchain for web projects. The free plan makes Biome accessible without a stated seat cap, usage quota or trial period. Commercial support may be offered by contributors, subject to their availability, so organizations that require dependable paid support should account for that uncertainty.

Platforms

Biome is available for Linux, macOS, Windows and the web, with editor support through extensions. Its standalone executable does not require Node.js, and installation guidance covers five package managers. That combination gives teams several ways to fit it into existing development environments.

Who it's for

Biome is best suited to web-project teams working with its formatter and linter languages who want one toolchain for formatting, linting and import organization. Its free, open-source plan is also a natural fit for individuals and teams that can rely on community availability rather than guaranteed commercial support. Projects whose primary needs lie outside web development should consider a more specialized tool.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Formatting, linting and import organization can run together through the check command, reducing fragmentation in routine maintenance.
• Broad listed language coverage and safe fixes make it useful across several common web-project file types.
• Free and open-source under MIT or Apache 2.0, with a standalone executable that does not require Node.js.
• First-party editor extensions and linked CI integrations give teams options for both local and automated checks.

Cons

• Its stated purpose is web projects, so it is not the obvious choice for teams seeking a tool centered on another ecosystem.
• Commercial support depends on contributor availability, which may not meet organizations that need predictable support.
• Some editor extensions are community-provided rather than first-party.

Alternatives

For a broader view of related tools, see Linters and Code Formatting Tools.

• Cppcheck is a free-to-download static-analysis option with a freemium model and a free trial; consider it when that alternative better fits your analysis needs.
• PMD is a free downloadable static code analyzer under a BSD-style license, an alternative for readers seeking that kind of analyzer.
• Ruff is a free tool from a maker focused on high-performance tools for the Python ecosystem; choose it when that ecosystem is your focus.
• Astral groups Ruff, uv and ty as free, open-source, permissively licensed tools; consider it for that Python-oriented tool set.
• golangci-lint is a free, open-source project built by volunteers.
• Oxc is a free and open-source alternative.
• Stylelint is free, with no paid plans or usage limits stated on its pages.
• Hadolint is another free alternative.

Verdict

Choose Biome if your web project can benefit from a free toolchain that combines formatting, linting and import organization, with editor and CI integration options. Look elsewhere if your project needs a tool focused on a different ecosystem or requires commercial support that does not depend on contributor availability.