- Home
- C and C++ Static Analysis Tools
- CPAchecker
CPAchecker
Munich, Germany
What it is
CPAchecker is an open-source tool for configurable software verification based on configurable program analysis. It accepts C and SV-LIB inputs and lists hybrid verification with invariants as a supported formalism. The tool can produce counterexamples and proof artifacts, supports predicate analysis for SV-LIB programs, and validates termination witnesses in YAML formats 2.1 and 1.0. CPAchecker is self-hosted and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Version 4.2.2 is listed as a December 2025 release, with Unix and Windows ZIP archives. Debian and Ubuntu users can use the SoSy-Lab APT repository, and a Docker image is available. Java 21 or later is required for version 4.2. Documentation includes installation guidance, tutorials, getting-started material, and a counterexample report. An older 1.6.1 web version exists, but restricted access removes some features. The project is free under Apache 2.0, with questions and bug reports directed to a mailing list and issue tracker.
For and against
For
- Free Apache 2.0 software
- Supports C and SV-LIB inputs
- Produces counterexamples and proof artifacts
- Runs on major desktop operating systems
- Docker image available
Against
- Requires Java 21 or later
- Older web version has restricted features
- Self-hosted deployment requires setup
The verdict
CPAchecker focuses on configurable program verification with documented inputs, outputs, and deployment options. Users should check its Java and operating-system requirements before choosing a local installation.
Who it suits
It suits developers and verification practitioners working with C or SV-LIB who need self-hosted analysis, counterexamples, or proof artifacts.
Plans and prices
CPAchecker
Free software under the Apache 2.0 License · latest binary release 4.2.2
Read 8 Oct 2026 · cpachecker.sosy-lab.org
On the record
- Analysis support
- The page lists predicate analysis support for SV-LIB programs and validation of termination witnesses in YAML formats 2.1 and 1.0.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Container support
- The project provides a Docker image named sosylab/cpachecker:4.2.2.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Development
- Development takes place on GitLab, and the download page also links to a read-only GitHub mirror.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The documentation page links to installation instructions, getting-started guidance, tutorials, and a counterexample report for a program with a bug found by CPAchecker.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Linux installation
- Debian and Ubuntu users can install CPAchecker through the SoSy-Lab APT repository.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Newer Linux requirements
- The project says most configurations will require Ubuntu 24.04, Debian 13, or newer after the next release because of common SMT solver system requirements.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Online version
- An older version, 1.6.1, is available through a web interface, where some features are unavailable because of the restricted environment.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CPAchecker is a tool for configurable software verification based on configurable program analysis concepts.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Release
- The download page lists version 4.2.2, released in December 2025, with Unix and Windows ZIP archives.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The download page says Java 21 or later is required as of CPAchecker 4.2.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The download page identifies the license as Apache 2.0; it does not state a security certification or compliance standard.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs installation questions, bug reports, and suggestions to its CPAchecker users mailing list, and also provides an issue tracker.cpachecker.sosy-lab.org · read 8 Oct 2026
