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Pmd VS SonarQube

Compare Pmd VS SonarQube and see what are their differences

Pmd logo Pmd

PMD scans Java source code and looks for potential problems like:

SonarQube logo SonarQube

SonarQube, a core component of the Sonar solution, is an open source, self-managed tool that systematically helps developers and organizations deliver Clean Code.
  • Pmd Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-10
  • SonarQube Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12

SonarQube, a core component of the Sonar solution, is an open source, self-managed tool that systematically helps developers and organizations deliver Clean Code. SonarQube integrates into the developers' CI/CD pipeline and DevOps platform to detect and help fix issues in the code while performing continuous inspection of projects.

Supported by the Sonar Clean as You Code methodology, only code that meets the defined quality standard can be released to production. SonarQube analyzes the most popular programming languages, frameworks, and infrastructure technologies and supports over 5,000 Clean Code rules.

Trusted by 7 million developers and 400,000 organizations globally to clean more than half a trillion lines of code, Sonar has become integral to delivering better software.

Explore our pricing and request an evaluation: https://www.sonarsource.com/plans-and-pricing/

Pmd features and specs

  • Open Source
    PMD is open-source software, which means it's free to use and can be modified by anyone. This allows for extensive community support and collaboration.
  • Multi-language Support
    PMD supports a variety of languages such as Java, JavaScript, Salesforce.com Apex, PLSQL, XML, XSL, and others, making it a versatile tool for developers working with different technologies.
  • Custom Rule Capability
    Users can define custom rules in PMD, allowing them to enforce specific coding standards and practices pertinent to their projects.
  • Integration and Automation
    PMD easily integrates with various build tools and CI/CD systems like Maven, Ant, Gradle, and Jenkins, helping automate the detection of code issues in continuous integration pipelines.
  • Comprehensive Reporting
    PMD provides detailed reports on code quality issues, which can be exported in multiple formats such as XML, CSV, text, and HTML, aiding in comprehensive documentation and analysis.

Possible disadvantages of Pmd

  • Steeper Learning Curve
    Users may experience a steeper learning curve due to the wide array of customizable features and the need to create custom rules in XML.
  • False Positives
    Like many static code analysis tools, PMD can generate false positives, which might lead developers to spend time reviewing non-issues.
  • Limited UI
    PMD primarily operates via command line and configuration files, lacking a graphical user interface, which might be inconvenient for some users who prefer visual tools.
  • Java Focus
    While it supports multiple languages, PMD is predominantly focused on Java, which might result in less comprehensive support for other languages.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running PMD on large codebases can sometimes introduce performance overhead, slowing down the development workflow, especially if not optimally configured.

SonarQube features and specs

  • Comprehensive code analysis
    SonarQube provides detailed insights into code quality by examining various metrics such as code smells, bugs, vulnerabilities, and duplications.
  • Multi-language support
    It supports a wide range of programming languages like Java, C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, PHP, and many others, making it versatile for different projects.
  • Continuous integration (CI) integration
    SonarQube integrates seamlessly with CI tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, and Azure DevOps, facilitating continuous code inspection.
  • Customizable rules
    Users can customize and extend the set of rules to fit specific project needs and coding standards.
  • User-friendly interface
    The platform offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate web interface for analyzing and managing code quality issues.
  • Technical debt measurement
    It provides metrics to measure technical debt, helping teams understand the potential effort required to fix and improve their codebase.
  • Community and commercial support
    There is a vibrant community for support and extensive documentation. Additionally, a commercial version offers advanced features and professional support.
  • Rich plugin ecosystem
    A variety of plugins are available to extend functionality and integrate with other tools and services.

Possible disadvantages of SonarQube

  • Resource-intensive
    Analysis can be resource-heavy and may require significant memory and CPU, especially for larger projects.
  • Complex setup
    Setting up SonarQube, especially in a highly customized setup with multiple plugins and integrations, can be complex and time-consuming.
  • Learning curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, understanding and making the most of all available features can have a steep learning curve.
  • Cost of commercial edition
    The commercial editions, while rich in features, can be costly, which might be prohibitive for smaller teams or startups.
  • Occasional false positives
    Like many static analysis tools, SonarQube can sometimes generate false positives, which can lead to unnecessary investigations.
  • Dependency on other tools
    For optimal use, SonarQube often requires integration with additional tools and services, which can add to the maintenance overhead.
  • Update requirements
    Keeping SonarQube up to date can be challenging due to frequent updates and the need for plugin compatibility checks.

Analysis of SonarQube

Overall verdict

  • SonarQube is widely regarded as a good tool for enhancing software quality, especially in environments where maintaining high-quality standards is critical. It provides detailed insights into code quality and actionable recommendations, making it valuable for both developers and managers focused on maintaining clean, efficient, and secure code.

Why this product is good

  • SonarQube is a popular tool for continuous inspection of code quality to perform automatic reviews with static analysis of code to detect bugs, code smells, and security vulnerabilities. It supports multiple programming languages and integrates well with various CI/CD pipelines, making it an essential tool for maintaining and improving code quality across diverse codebases.

Recommended for

  • Software development teams looking to improve code quality.
  • Organizations seeking to automate code reviews and code quality checks.
  • Projects that require support for multiple programming languages.
  • Developers aiming to reduce technical debt and improve maintainability.
  • DevOps teams integrating static code analysis into their CI/CD pipelines.

Pmd videos

PMD: Personal Microderm PRO + Clean | Review & Demo

More videos:

  • Review - PMD Clean Review: I Tried it for 30 Days! | Beauty with Susan Yara
  • Review - PMD Personal Microderm 6-Week Review

SonarQube videos

What is SonarQube?

More videos:

  • Tutorial - What is SonarQube? How to configure a maven project for Code Coverage | Tech Primers
  • Tutorial - How to analyze code quality using SonarQube | Easy tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Pmd and SonarQube)
Code Analysis
4 4%
96% 96
Code Coverage
4 4%
96% 96
Code Quality
6 6%
94% 94
Code Review
4 4%
96% 96

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Pmd and SonarQube

Pmd Reviews

TOP 40 Static Code Analysis Tools (Best Source Code Analysis Tools)
A tool that helps in analyzing C/C++, Java, C#, RPG and Python codes. Another good thing about this tool is it allows integration with free static checker tools like cppcheck, PMD, FindBugs. Basic Version of this tool is free but it comes with fewer features. Based on the need, you can decide whether the free version satisfies the requirement or not.

SonarQube Reviews

Top 11 SonarQube Alternatives in 2024
While SonarQube offers a robust set of features, users may want to consider newer, more specialized tools that can complement SonarQube's capabilities. Some users have chosen to explore alternative options due to SonarQube's limitations, such as its initial learning curve, specific configuration requirements, and licensing fees for enterprise versions.
Source: www.codeant.ai
8 Best Static Code Analysis Tools For 2024
SonarQube is a widely used code analysis tool that helps you write clean, reliable, and secure code. Below are some of its key features that allow you to conduct a proper static code analysis.
Source: www.qodo.ai
The 5 Best SonarQube Alternatives in 2024
Unlike Codacy, which offers a comprehensive replacement for SonarQube, Snyk takes a different approach by focusing exclusively on security. It's an excellent choice for teams looking to enhance their security practices without necessarily replacing their existing code quality tools. However, for teams looking to move away from SonarQube entirely, Snyk must be complemented...
Source: blog.codacy.com
5 Best DevSecOps Tools in 2023
Whereas OWASP ZAP scans your website once it has been deployed (known as dynamic code scanning), SonarQube/SonarCloud is a product/service that will scan the source code itself before it is deployed and alert on any possible security issues related to the source code. This is known as static code scanning. It looks for things that can be exploited. Things such as not...
Ten Best SonarQube alternatives in 2021
Other critical elements to bear in mind even as mastering alternatives to SonarQube embody Integration and initiatives. We have compiled a listing of SonarQube alternatives that reviewers voted for because of the excellent standard options to employ instead of SonarQube.
Source: duecode.io

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SonarQube seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Pmd mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Pmd yet. Tracking of Pmd recommendations started around Mar 2021.

SonarQube mentions (1)

  • Google: C++20, How Hard Could It Be
    Even for Java, C# and JS we do enforce such kind of rules, e.g. https://sonarqube.org. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Pmd and SonarQube, you can also consider the following products

FindBugs - Findbugs is a tool that looks for bugs in Java code. Findbugs finds the bugs by analyzing computer software without actually executing programs. Using this software allows for easy debugging and repairing broken script. Read more about FindBugs.

Codacy - Automatically reviews code style, security, duplication, complexity, and coverage on every change while tracking code quality throughout your sprints.

Checkmarx - The industry’s most comprehensive AppSec platform, Checkmarx One is fast, accurate, and accelerates your business.

Coverity Scan - Find and fix defects in your Java, C/C++ or C# open source project for free

CodeClimate - Code Climate provides automated code review for your apps, letting you fix quality and security issues before they hit production. We check every commit, branch and pull request for changes in quality and potential vulnerabilities.

Teamscale - Drive software quality by data and in a joint effort of all contributors – using our Software Intelligence platform Teamscale.