Freedom251 › Code review software
Hound
What Hound is
Hound automates code review for GitHub pull requests by commenting on code quality and style issues. It reviews a pull request when it is opened or updated, and comments directly in the pull request through its GitHub App. The service is aimed at developers and teams maintaining clean, consistent codebases.
Hound supports JavaScript, Ruby, Python, Swift, PHP, Sass, Go, Elixir, TypeScript, CoffeeScript, Haml, and Shell. Teams can start with default style guides or customize them. Hound is available on the web, is described as open source, and operates as a hosted service. Its help information says the GitHub App uses a token to communicate with GitHub’s REST API. Pricing includes a free plan for public repositories and paid plans with monthly private-review limits: Chihuahua costs $29 a month for up to 50 reviews, Terrier costs $49 a month for up to 300, Labrador costs $99 a month for up to 1,000, and Husky costs $199 a month for up to 3,000. Hound’s homepage directs users to its Help Center or @houndci for questions.
Who it suits
Hound suits developers and teams using GitHub who want automated comments on code quality and style in pull requests. It is a fit for teams that want to use default style guides or customize them for their codebase.
What it does well
- Comments on pull requests when opened or updated.
- Supports twelve listed programming and markup languages.
- Offers default and customizable style guides.
- Free plan covers public repositories.
- GitHub App places comments directly in pull requests.
What to know first
- The free plan is limited to public repositories.
- Paid plans cap private reviews at 50, 300, 1,000, or 3,000.
- GitHub is the listed code host.
Limits
The free plan is for public repositories. Paid plans cap private reviews at 50, 300, 1,000, or 3,000, depending on the plan.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Public repositories | Free for public repos | Free |
| Husky | $199 month · Up to 3,000 private reviews | $199 a month |
| Chihuahua | $29 month · Up to 50 private reviews | $29 a month |
| Terrier | $49 month · Up to 300 private reviews | $49 a month |
| Labrador | $99 month · Up to 1,000 private reviews | $99 a month |
As houndci.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open Hound’s website.
- Choose the free plan for public repositories or a paid plan for private reviews.
- Add Hound as a GitHub App.
- Open or update a GitHub pull request to trigger review comments.
- Use a default style guide or customize the rules for your team.
Verdict
Choose Hound if your team works with GitHub and wants automated style and code-quality comments with customizable guides. The free option is for public repositories; teams reviewing private repositories need a paid plan with a review cap.
Questions
Is Hound free?
Yes. Its free plan is for public repositories.
How much do paid plans cost?
Chihuahua is $29 a month, Terrier is $49 a month, Labrador is $99 a month, and Husky is $199 a month.
Which code host does Hound support?
GitHub is its listed code host, and Hound is offered as a GitHub App.
Which languages does Hound support?
The listed languages are JavaScript, Ruby, Python, Swift, PHP, Sass, Go, Elixir, TypeScript, CoffeeScript, Haml, and Shell.
Can teams customize review rules?
Yes. Hound provides default style guides and lets teams customize them.
Is Hound open source?
Thoughtbot describes Hound as open source and as a hosted service.
Facts from Hound's own pages
- Access method
- Hound’s help page says its GitHub App uses a token to communicate with GitHub’s REST API. · help.houndci.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Integration
- Hound is offered as a GitHub App that comments directly in pull requests. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site describes Hound as a tool for developers and teams maintaining clean, consistent codebases. · houndci.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Languages
- The site lists JavaScript, Ruby, Python, Swift, PHP, Sass, Go, Elixir, TypeScript, CoffeeScript, Haml, and Shell as currently supported. · houndci.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Thoughtbot says Hound is open source and describes the project as a hosted service. · thoughtbot.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Hound automates code review for GitHub pull requests by commenting on code quality and style issues. · houndci.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Review limits
- The listed paid plans cap private reviews at 50, 300, 1,000, or 3,000, depending on plan. · houndci.com, 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. · houndci.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Style guides
- Hound provides default style guides and lets teams customize them. · houndci.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The homepage directs users to the Hound Help Center or @houndci for questions. · houndci.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Workflow
- Hound reviews and comments when a GitHub pull request is opened or updated. · houndci.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where Hound stands on Freedom251
- Code review software#27 of 51