Best C and C++ Static Analysis Tools in 2026
Updated
In short: Parasoft SOAtest is ranked #1 of 25 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Squish and CBMC. The best-ranked option with a free plan is CBMC. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Qodana at $5/mo.
Static analysis tools inspect C and C++ code for potential issues without executing it. Compare the kinds of checks that matter to your codebase: coding-rule checks, memory defect detection, concurrency analysis, and security or taint analysis. MISRA support is another consideration where those rules apply. The ranking opens with Parasoft SOAtest, Squish, and CBMC, followed by Infer and MATLAB Grader. You can also compare whether a free plan is offered and the stated paid-from price. Use these criteria to weigh coverage and cost against the rules and defect types you need to address.
25 c and c++ static analysis tools ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Parasoft SOAtest iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3 Memory defect detection: YesSecurity analysis: YesCoding-rule checks: Yes
- 2 Squish iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 Security analysis: Yes
- 3 CBMC No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Memory defect detection: Yes
- 4 Infer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Security analysis: Yes
- 5 MATLAB Grader No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Security analysis: Yes
- 6 Clang Static Analyzer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Security analysis: Yes
- 7 Qodana No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3$5/mo Security analysis: Yes
- 8 Semgrep Code No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3$30/mo
- 9 Flawfinder No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free
- 10 Frama-C No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8
- 11 CodeChecker No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7 Security analysis: Yes
- 12 PVS-Studio No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7
- 13 TrustInSoft Analyzer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7 Memory defect detection: YesSecurity analysis: YesCoding-rule checks: Yes
- 14 Understand No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7$8343.33/mo Security analysis: Yes
- 15 Astrée No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6 Memory defect detection: YesSecurity analysis: YesCoding-rule checks: Yes
- 16 CppDepend No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4
- 17 LDRA Tool Suite No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Security analysis: Yes
- 18 Perforce QAC (formerly Helix QAC) No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Security analysis: Yes
- 19 Klocwork No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
- 20 Polyspace No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.0 Security analysis: Yes
- 21 CPAchecker No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.9
- 22 Ultimate Automizer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.9
- 23 Imagix 4D No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.8
- 24 Fortify Static Code Analyzer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.7
- 25 SeaHorn No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.7
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which c and c++ static analysis tool is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Parasoft SOAtest is ranked #1 of 25 with a score of 7.3. Squish is second and CBMC third.
How many of these have a free plan?
7 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Qodana has the lowest first paid tier we found: $5/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.