Side by side
sqry vs Understand
Both stand on code search tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
sqry offers local structural queries across a broad set of language plugins, along with AI and editor integrations. Check the plugin coverage for your languages and account for its index-building step before querying.
Visit sqry
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
| sqry | Understand | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | No |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | API, Extension, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Understand subscription: $100 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | sqry.dev | scitools.com |
| On code search tools | #20 of 42 | #16 of 42 |
sqry: what it does well
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Runs locally with no telemetry
- Queries callers, implementations, cycles, and unused symbols
- Provides MCP and LSP servers
- Install scripts verify checksums by default
What to know first
- Users must build an index before querying
- Nine language plugins lack full relation tracking
- Windows executables require bundled MinGW runtime DLLs
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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