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Spotless
What it is
Spotless is free, Apache-2.0-licensed open-source software that checks source files for formatting violations or applies fixes. It works with Gradle, Maven, SBT, and other build systems, and lists support for Java, Kotlin, JavaScript, Python, SQL, YAML, Markdown, and many additional languages and formats. Formatter integrations include Google Java Format, ktlint, Prettier, ESLint, Black, and ScalaFmt. The project links editor integrations for VS Code and IntelliJ. It can format changed lines, ignore files, and expose a library API. For Gradle and Maven, the feature matrix lists ratcheting from a Git reference; Git-defined line endings are listed for Gradle, Maven, and SBT. Automatic idempotency and encoding safeguards are listed across those build tools. Some SBT capabilities, including ratcheting and fast incremental formatting, are unavailable. Spotless supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its Free plan costs nothing, billed free forever with no registration required.
For and against
For
- Supports Gradle, Maven, SBT, and other builds
- Works across many programming and markup languages
- Offers VS Code and IntelliJ integrations
- Formats changed lines and ignores files
- Free forever with no registration
Against
- Some ratcheting features are unavailable in SBT
- Fast incremental formatting is unavailable in SBT
- Formatter behavior depends on selected integration
- Additional listed plan has no price
The verdict
Spotless gives multi-language projects a build-integrated way to check and apply consistent formatting. Teams using SBT should review its feature gaps before standardizing workflows.
Who it suits
Spotless suits development teams that want automated formatting checks or fixes inside build workflows. It is especially relevant to projects spanning multiple languages, editors, or build systems.
Plans and prices
Free
Groundbreaking git interface · Syntax highlighting for over 40 languages · View and diff images · View Simulink, Stateflow, and Simscape models
Read 9 Oct 2026 · diffplug.com
dp.simstate.differ
Everything in Free · Diff Simulink, Stateflow, and Simscape models · Export diffs as PDF and DOCX reports
Read 9 Oct 2026 · diffplug.com
On the record
- Build tools
- The project provides integrations for Gradle and Maven, and links to an external SBT integration.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Editor integrations
- The README links Spotless integrations for VS Code and IntelliJ.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Formatter integrations
- The feature matrix lists formatter steps including Google Java Format, ktlint, Prettier, ESLint, Black, and ScalaFmt.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Formatting safeguards
- The feature matrix lists automatic idempotency and encoding safeguards for Gradle, Maven, and SBT.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Git support
- The feature matrix lists ratcheting from a Git reference for Gradle and Maven, and Git-defined line endings for Gradle, Maven, and SBT.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Languages
- Spotless lists support for languages and formats including Java, Kotlin, JavaScript, Python, SQL, YAML, and Markdown.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies its license as Apache-2.0.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Maker location
- DiffPlug says it is based in San Francisco, California.diffplug.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Maturity of build-tool support
- The README feature matrix marks some capabilities as unavailable in SBT, including ratcheting and fast incremental formatting.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Spotless formats source code and can check files for formatting violations or apply fixes.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Security contact
- The repository asks users to email [email protected] for security disclosures.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- DiffPlug directs questions to its forum and lists a technical support contact on its About page.diffplug.com · read 9 Oct 2026
