Side by side
actionlint vs Cppcheck
Both stand on linters. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
actionlint covers workflow structure, expression semantics, reusable workflow interfaces, and selected security risks. Its browser playground, command-line installs, and integrations provide several ways to add those checks to a workflow.
Visit actionlint
Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
Cppcheck offers core C and C++ analysis for free, with paid licensing adding standards checks and compliance reporting. Check license limits carefully if you need CI, containers, virtual machines, or air-gapped use.
Visit CppcheckThe facts
| actionlint | Cppcheck | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 8 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | rhysd.github.io | cppcheck.com |
| On linters | #4 of 33 | #1 of 33 |
actionlint: what it does well
- Checks workflow syntax and expression types.
- Flags script-injection risks and hard-coded credentials.
- Optional ShellCheck and Pyflakes integrations.
- Browser playground runs through WebAssembly.
- MIT-licensed with command-line and Go APIs.
What to know first
- Checks GitHub Actions workflow files specifically.
- ShellCheck and Pyflakes integrations can be disabled.
Cppcheck: what it does well
- Free plan includes core static analysis
- Analyzes non-standard syntax found in embedded projects
- Integrates with several listed IDEs
- Three-week trial requires no credit card
What to know first
- C++20 support is partial
- Individual license excludes CI environments, virtual machines, and containers
- Project plan requires at least five users
- Premium plan prices require a tailored quotation
Alternatives to actionlint Alternatives to Cppcheck The whole list