Side by side
PVS vs Rocq
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 LinuxMacWindows
PVS combines formal specification and verification tools with proof automation and batch workflows. Users should account for its licensing terms and platform-sensitive build process.
Visit PVS
Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+2
Rocq provides proof checking, automation methods and certified program extraction within a language for mathematics and specification. Linux users should note that installation is script-based rather than through a Platform binary installer.
Visit RocqThe facts
| PVS | Rocq | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Extension, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | pvs.csl.sri.com | rocq-prover.org |
| On formal verification tools | #20 of 34 | #16 of 34 |
PVS: what it does well
- Includes an interactive theorem prover and symbolic model checker.
- Supports batch re-proving of theories and libraries.
- Yices SMT solver integration is listed.
- Noncommercial plan is free.
What to know first
- Commercial use requires a current license or licensing inquiry.
- Allegro runtime has a separate click-through license.
- Building from GitHub sources can depend on platform environment.
- VSCode interface is described as experimental.
Rocq: what it does well
- Checks proofs with a certification kernel.
- Can extract programs to OCaml, Haskell or Scheme.
- Offers interactive methods and a tactic language.
- Platform bundles the prover with libraries and plugins.
- Free under the GNU Lesser General Public Licence Version 2.1.
What to know first
- No Rocq Platform binary installer for Linux.
- Precompiled installers are listed only for macOS and Windows.
- Requires work with formal proofs and specifications.