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NuSMV

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What NuSMV is

NuSMV is a free software tool for formally verifying finite state systems. It checks systems against CTL specifications and supports LTL and PSL model checking. NuSMV 2 combines BDD-based model checking with SAT-based bounded model checking. Its input language supports modular, hierarchical system descriptions, reusable components, and finite data types such as booleans, scalars, bit vectors, and fixed arrays. Other features include an interactive text shell, invariant analysis, and partitioning methods. The SAT component can connect to the Minisat solver. The project presents NuSMV as a tool for industrial design verification, a core for custom verification tools, and a testbed for research into formal verification techniques. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and is distributed under the LGPL v2.1 license. General questions and bug reports go to the users mailing list, with a separate list for announcements. The project FAQ notes that processes are deprecated because they can behave incorrectly with relational constructs such as TRANS, INIT, or INVAR.

Who it suits

NuSMV suits people verifying finite state systems, including industrial design teams and researchers in formal verification. It can also serve as a base for custom verification tools.

What it does well

  • Checks systems against CTL specifications
  • Supports LTL and PSL model checking
  • Combines BDD-based and SAT-based methods
  • Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • Distributed under the LGPL v2.1 license

What to know first

  • Processes are deprecated
  • No developer-extension tutorial is currently available

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
NuSMV v2Open source · LGPL v2.1Free

As nusmv.fbk.eu lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Open https://nusmv.fbk.eu/.
  2. Choose the NuSMV v2 software, distributed under the LGPL v2.1 license.
  3. Use it on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
  4. Describe the finite state system in its input language.
  5. Send general questions or bug reports to the users mailing list.

Verdict

NuSMV brings several formal verification methods and specification types into a free, open-source tool. Its deprecated processes and the absence of a developer-extension tutorial are worth noting before adopting it.

Questions

Does NuSMV cost anything?

NuSMV v2 is listed as free and is open source under the LGPL v2.1 license.

Which operating systems does it support?

NuSMV runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What verification specifications does it support?

It checks finite state systems against CTL specifications and supports LTL and PSL model checking.

Is NuSMV open source?

Yes. NuSMV v2 is distributed under the LGPL v2.1 license.

Can the SAT component use another solver?

NuSMV2's SAT based component can connect to the Minisat SAT solver.

What limitation does the project note about processes?

Processes are deprecated because they can behave incorrectly with relational constructs such as TRANS, INIT, or INVAR.

Facts from NuSMV's own pages

Additional features
Features include an interactive text shell, invariant analysis, partitioning methods, LTL model checking, PSL model checking, and SAT based bounded model checking. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
Audience
The project says NuSMV is designed for verifying industrial designs, serving as a core for custom verification tools, and as a testbed for formal verification techniques and other research areas. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
Developer guidance
The FAQ says there is currently no tutorial for developers extending NuSMV, though users may email questions. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
Download privacy
The privacy policy says downloads may collect an IP address and timestamp, which are retained for one year; it also describes encryption, access controls, and access logging as safeguards. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
Integrations
NuSMV2's SAT based component can connect to the Minisat SAT solver, and the project describes cooperation to integrate NuSMV into ICS's SCL Visual Modeler. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
License
NuSMV v2 is open source software distributed under the LGPL v2.1 license. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
Model checking
NuSMV 2 combines BDD based model checking with SAT based bounded model checking. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
Modeling limitation
The FAQ says processes are deprecated because they can behave incorrectly with relational constructs such as TRANS, INIT, or INVAR. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
Model language
Its input language supports modular hierarchical descriptions, reusable components, and finite data types including booleans, scalars, bit vectors, and fixed arrays. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
Platforms
The downloads page lists current binaries for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
Purpose
NuSMV is a software tool for formally verifying finite state systems. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
Specifications
It checks finite state systems against CTL specifications and supports LTL and PSL model checking. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026
Support
The project directs general questions and bug reports to its users mailing list and provides a separate list for announcements. · nusmv.fbk.eu, 7 Oct 2026

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