Side by side
Codacy vs Understand
Both stand on code complexity analyzers. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Codacy brings code review, security scanning, and coding standards into a cloud platform for engineering teams. The free Developer plan and no-card trial offer a way to start, while Team adds shared standards and integrations for groups.
Visit Codacy
Choose Understand if you need static code analysis and navigation across its supported languages, or need command-line, CI, self-hosted or offline workflows. Its local AI option keeps code and prompts on your hardware. Review the license details if you need the VS Code extension or Developer-license exclusions affect your workflow.
Visit UnderstandThe facts
| Codacy | Understand | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | No |
| Runs on | Extension, Web | API, Extension, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | See the plans | Understand subscription: $100 a month |
| Plans published | 4 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | codacy.com | scitools.com |
| On code complexity analyzers | #2 of 18 | #6 of 18 |
Codacy: what it does well
- AI Reviewer suggests fixes and summarizes pull requests.
- Lists six types of security scanning.
- Team supports shared standards across 49 languages.
- Free Developer plan includes an IDE plugin.
- 14-day trial requires no credit card.
What to know first
- Cloud-only deployment; no self-hosted option is listed.
- Team is limited to 30 developers and 100 private repositories.
- Team costs $18 a year with yearly billing.
Understand: what it does well
- Builds a cross-referenced code model without running source code.
- Maps code with call trees, dependency analysis and visual graphs.
- Supports a broad range of programming and web languages.
- Command-line automation, CI use and an official Docker image are available.
- Local AI keeps code and prompts on the user's hardware.
What to know first
- The VS Code extension is licensed separately.
- Cloud AI sends requests and embedded code context to the selected provider.
- The Developer license excludes command-line automation, API access and several exports.
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