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Head-to-head · Linters

Biome vs PMD

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Biome #8 in Linters 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Biome
PMD #9 in Linters 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit PMD

Biome leads on 1 check, PMD on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBiome · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresBiome · 4 of 4

Biome scores higher on our rubric for linters: 8.4 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #8 and #9.

Biome leads on languages supported: 17 versus 16.

Biome is the better fit for teams linting and formatting web code. PMD is the better fit for multilanguage static-analysis programs.

  • Biome fits best

    Teams linting and formatting web code

  • PMD fits best

    Multilanguage static-analysis programs

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Side by side

Feature Biome 8.4/10 Visit ↗ PMD 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.3
Ranking #8 in Linters #9 in Linters
Best for Teams linting and formatting web code Multilanguage static-analysis programs
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, Linux, macOS
Support Community, Docs Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Biome 4/4 · PMD 3/4
Autofix ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Custom rules ✓ ✓
Security rules ✓ ✓
CI support ✓ ✓
Specs
Languages supported 17 (best) 16
IDE support Ide Ide
Our review
Pros
  • Combines linting, formatting, autofixes, import sorting, and CI checks
  • Supports editor workflows through VS Code, IntelliJ, and Zed integrations
  • Offers custom diagnostics, configurable rules, Docker images, and standalone binaries
  • 400+ built-in rules across 16 supported languages
  • Custom Java and XPath rules plus CPD duplicate-code detection
  • Integrates with major build tools, IDEs, and CI workflows
Cons
  • Some listed languages are experimental or in progress
  • Not all listed language entries currently support linting
  • Its focus is web projects rather than general-purpose codebases
  • Autofix is not part of the stated core capabilities
  • Its breadth may require managing rules across multiple languages
  • Platform coverage is listed as Windows, Linux, and self-hosted
Our verdict

Biome is an open-source toolchain for web projects, combining a formatter, linter, command-line interface, and Language Server Protocol integration. It is aimed at developers and teams maintaining modern web applications, with support for…

Read the review →

PMD is an open-source, extensible static code analyzer for developers and development teams working across multiple programming languages. Its published capabilities cover 16 languages and include checks for common programming flaws such…

Read the review →
  1. BiomeLinters 8.4Free plan
  2. PMDLinters 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Biome — where it wins

    • Combines linting, formatting, autofixes, import sorting, and CI checks
    • Supports editor workflows through VS Code, IntelliJ, and Zed integrations
    • Offers custom diagnostics, configurable rules, Docker images, and standalone binaries

    Where it doesn't

    • Some listed languages are experimental or in progress
    • Not all listed language entries currently support linting
    • Its focus is web projects rather than general-purpose codebases

  • PMD — where it wins

    • 400+ built-in rules across 16 supported languages
    • Custom Java and XPath rules plus CPD duplicate-code detection
    • Integrates with major build tools, IDEs, and CI workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Autofix is not part of the stated core capabilities
    • Its breadth may require managing rules across multiple languages
    • Platform coverage is listed as Windows, Linux, and self-hosted
  • Biome8.4/10 · Free plan

    An open-source web toolchain combining linting, formatting, fixes, and editor support.

    Visit BiomeFull verdict →
  • PMD8.3/10 · Free plan

    A broad, open-source linter for teams managing static analysis across 16 languages.

    Visit PMDFull verdict →

More comparisons

All linters comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update