Side by side
Apalache vs HOL Light
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.
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted
Apalache provides several symbolic checking modes and flexible deployment choices for TLA+ and Quint work. Review its memory needs and bounded-checking limits before relying on a particular analysis.
Visit Apalache Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
Choose HOL Light if you need an interactive theorem prover and proof checker for higher-order logic, with a programmable system and existing mathematical resources. Look elsewhere if you need a tool that does not rely on OCaml or its read-eval-print loop as the usual working environment.
Visit HOL LightThe facts
| Apalache | HOL Light | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Not published |
| Plans published | None | None |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | apalache-mc.org | hol-light.github.io |
| On formal verification tools | #13 of 34 | #17 of 34 |
Apalache: what it does well
- Free and open-source Apache-2.0 software
- Supports TLA+ and Quint inputs
- Multiple symbolic analysis methods
- Runs via JVM package, Docker, or source
- Counterexamples supported
What to know first
- At least 4 GB memory recommended
- Bounded checks can miss longer-execution bugs
- CVC5 support is experimental
- Opt-in statistics are sent per run
HOL Light: what it does well
- Free to use.
- Includes automated tools and pre-proved theorems in several mathematical areas.
- Users can add theorems and inference rules while preserving soundness.
- Offers a browser version and installation routes including OPAM and source.
- VS Code extension includes a REPL connection and interactive notebooks.
What to know first
- The usual interaction environment is the OCaml read-eval-print loop.
- Package-manager versions may be out of date.
- Windows instructions focus on WSL or Cygwin, with native support noted for some configurations.
Alternatives to Apalache Alternatives to HOL Light The whole list