Side by side

Alloy Analyzer vs CBMC

Both stand on formal verification tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Alloy Analyzer

Free plan APILinuxMac+1

Alloy Analyzer combines constraint-based model exploration with graphical views and counterexample generation. Temporal model checking adds a separate installation requirement, so users should account for NuSMV or nuXmv when planning that workflow.

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CBMC

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

CBMC provides a free route to bounded verification of C and C++ programs, with multiple distribution options and solver support. Its bounded analysis may require input limits, and the repository distinguishes production-intended releases from develop versions.

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The facts

	Alloy Analyzer	CBMC
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	API, Linux, Mac, Windows	Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	Free or on request
Plans published	1	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	alloytools.org	diffblue.github.io
On formal verification tools	#1 of 34	#2 of 34

Alloy Analyzer: what it does well

Free, self-contained executable includes examples and source.
Finds structures and counterexamples to properties.
Graphical results can be customized.
JAR can be used as an API.

What to know first

Temporal model checking requires NuSMV or nuXmv.
Those temporal tools must be available in PATH.
Modeling uses the Alloy language.

CBMC: what it does well

Checks bounds, pointer safety, and user assertions.
Can produce counterexamples.
Supports several C standards and extensions.
Available through installers and Docker images.
Licensed under the 4-clause BSD license.

What to know first

Analysis may require bounded inputs.
Develop versions are not recommended for production.
Uses loop unwinding before decision procedures.

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