Best C and C++ Static Analysis Tools in 2026
Updated
In short: CBMC is ranked #1 of 25 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Infer and MATLAB Grader. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Infer. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Qodana at $5/mo.
For C and C++ code, static analysis tools can be compared by the types of potential issues they check. The ranked entries begin with CBMC, CodeChecker and Infer. Look at coding-rule checks, memory defect detection and concurrency analysis, along with security analysis and taint analysis, to compare coverage. MISRA support may matter for projects with that requirement. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing offer cost context alongside these capabilities. Consider which checks are relevant to your code and what you need from an analysis tool.
25 c and c++ static analysis tools ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
7 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CBMCWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 2 | InferWeb · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 3 | MATLAB GraderWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 4 | QodanaWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $5/mo | 6.6 | |
| 5 | Semgrep CodeWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $30/mo | 6.6 | |
| 6 | Clang Static AnalyzerWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 7 | FlawfinderWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 8 | Parasoft SOAtestWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.7 |
| 9 | CodeCheckerWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 10 | Frama-CWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 11 | PVS-StudioWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 12 | TrustInSoft AnalyzerMac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 13 | UnderstandWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | $8343.33/mo | 5.5 |
| 14 | SquishWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | — | 6 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 15 | LDRA Tool SuiteWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 16 | Perforce QAC (formerly Helix QAC)Web · Windows · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 17 | CPAcheckerWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 18 | KlocworkWeb · Windows · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 19 | Ultimate AutomizerWeb · Windows · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 20 | AstréeWindows · Linux | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 21 | CppDependWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 22 | Fortify Static Code AnalyzerWindows · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 23 | PolyspaceWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 24 | SeaHornMac · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 25 | Imagix 4DWindows · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 4.7 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which c and c++ static analysis tool is ranked first on Freedom251?
CBMC is ranked #1 of 25 with a score of 6.6. Infer is second and MATLAB Grader third.
How many of these have a free plan?
7 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Qodana has the lowest first paid tier we found: $5/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.