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Code Quality ToolsUnclaimed

PMD

A tool for analyzing source code across multiple programming languages to identify quality issues and code smells

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Also known as
pmd

Available worldwide

What is PMD?

A static code analyzer that identifies quality issues, potential bugs, and code smells across multiple programming languages, including a built-in duplicate code detector (CPD) for finding copy-pasted code.

Independently observed

PMD pricing

We don't have PMD's full plan breakdown yet (its pricing page resisted automated reading). Here's what we could confirm. Always check live pricing for exact numbers.

What PMD does

The capabilities that matter for code quality tools, normalised so it lines up with every alternative. “-” means we haven't confirmed it, not that it's missing.

Core
Function
Static analyzer
Language scope
Multi-language
Implementation language
Java
Capability
Autofix
-
Config
Config model
Rule packs
Extensibility
Custom rules
✓
Deployment
Deployment
CLI-local
Delivery
Editor integration
✓
CI / VCS gating
✓
Insight
Code metrics
✓
Performance
Incremental / monorepo aware
-
Licensing
Open-source
OSS
Commercial
Pricing model
Free
Independently observed

Platform & deployment

Independently observed
Platforms
  • CLI
  • Linux
  • Windows
Deployment
  • Self-hosted

Integrations (8)

Independently observed
  • Eclipse
  • Gradle PMD Plugin•
  • eclipse-pmd•
  • pmd-eclipse-plugin•
  • PMD X•
  • PMD•
  • Apex PMD•
  • PMD for Java•

Security & compliance

Known vulnerabilities: 0 (0 in the last 12 months) sourcea count reflects scale & disclosure, not quality

PMD FAQ

Common questions about PMD, answered from independent, dated evidence.

What is PMD?

PMD is a multilingual static code analyzer that detects common programming issues like unused variables and inefficient patterns. It includes over 400 built-in rules, supports 16+ languages with primary focus on Java, and supports custom rules via Java or XPath. It is indexed under Code Quality Tools.

Source: https://pmd.github.io/

Is PMD free?

PMD offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.

Source: https://pmd.github.io/

What platforms does PMD support?

PMD supports Windows, macOS, Linux and a command-line interface. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.

Source: https://pmd.github.io/

Can PMD be self-hosted?

Yes. PMD can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.

Source: https://pmd.github.io/

PMD alternatives

Other code quality tools we track, ranked by the same independent score.

All PMD alternatives, ranked →

Compare PMD

Side by side against other code quality tools, attribute by attribute, with a source on every value.

Independent · unbought · dated

The vioscaleAI score: one lens on the evidence

Not user reviews and not a paid placement: a confidence-weighted blend of the independent signals below (adoption, activity, security posture, and more), which you can sort and re-weight yourself. Vendors can correct their listing but can never move their rank, and stars are weighted low as a vanity metric. It is one way to read the evidence for PMD, not the verdict.

Balanced composite 57 / 100
medium · 50%
Signal contributions to the composite score
SignalScoreWeightContributionEvidence
Development activity610.127.3✓
Release cadence840.075.7✓
Capabilities670.085.6✓
Dependent projects430.083.4✓
Security score610.053.2✓
Stars710.032.3✓
Integrations260.051.4✓
Security posture00.090.0-
Package downloads00.170.0-
Developer Q&A activity00.080.0-

Computed . Re-weight it by intent, or see the full method.

All data & sourcesshow ↓

Every value we hold, with its source, retrieval date, and confidence. This is the evidence behind the score: don't trust it, verify it.

Activity

AttributeValueEvidence
Commits last 30d84mediumsource · 2026-09-10 · 65%

Adoption

AttributeValueEvidence
Github stars5,486highsource · 2026-09-10 · 90%
Dependent repos356highsource · 2026-09-10 · 85%

Content

AttributeValueEvidence
Faq4 itemsmediumsource · 2026-09-10 · 60%

Features

AttributeValueEvidence
CapabilitiesMetrics: Yes · Function: static_analyzer · Ci gating: Yes · Deployment: cli_local · Open source: oss · Config model: rule_packsmediumsource · 2026-09-14 · 60%

Integrations

AttributeValueEvidence
Count7mediumsource · 2026-09-14 · 60%

Language

AttributeValueEvidence
PrimaryJavahighsource · 2026-09-10 · 90%

Market

AttributeValueEvidence
AvailabilityPrimaryMarkets: … · AvailabilityScope: global · AvailableCountries: … · NotAvailableCountries: …highsource · 2026-08-14 · 75%

Pricing

AttributeValueEvidence
Free tierYesmediumsource · 2026-09-14 · 60%
Modelopen_sourcemediumsource · 2026-09-14 · 60%
Price levelfreemediumsource · 2026-09-14 · 60%
TransparentYesmediumsource · 2026-08-14 · 60%

Release

AttributeValueEvidence
Cadence days28mediumsource · 2026-09-10 · 70%
History20 itemsmediumsource · 2026-09-10 · 70%

Security

AttributeValueEvidence
Scorecard6.1highsource · 2026-09-10 · 90%
VulnerabilitiesCount: 0 · Source: https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=maven&package_name=net.sourceforge.pmd%3Apmd-java&per_page=100 · Last 12m: 0highsource · 2026-09-10 · 90%
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PMD, verified on vioscaleAI
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