Head-to-head · Code Formatting Tools
Black vs Scalafmt
Black leads on 0 checks, Scalafmt on 1, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreBlack · 6.9/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresScalafmt · 4 of 4
Black scores higher on our rubric for code formatting tools: 6.9 against 6.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.
Scalafmt offers library api; Black doesn't.
Black is the better fit for python formatting with stable conventions. Scalafmt is the better fit for scala projects using build tools.
- Black fits best
Python formatting with stable conventions
- Scalafmt fits best
Scala projects using build tools
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Side by side
| Feature | Black 6.9/10 Visit ↗ | Scalafmt 6.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 6.9 | 6.6 |
| Ranking | #6 in Code Formatting Tools | #8 in Code Formatting Tools |
| Best for | Python formatting with stable conventions | Scala projects using build tools |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Support | Community, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Integrations | 12 integrations | 12 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Black 3/4 · Scalafmt 4/4 | ||
| Editor integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ignore files | ✓ | ✓ |
| Changed-lines formatting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Library API | — | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Supported languages | Python | Scala 2, Scala 3, sbt, Scala scripts |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, local HTTP API | CLI, editors, build tools, standalone library |
| License model | Open_source | Open_source |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Black is an open-source Python code formatter for developers and teams that want repeatable style decisions and smaller diffs during code review. It reformats Python files in place and can process files, directories, standard input, and… Read the review → |
Scalafmt is an open-source code formatter for Scala projects, including Scala 2, Scala 3, sbt, and Scala script files. It reformats code according to settings in a .scalafmt.conf file and can run through the command line, editors, build… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Black — where it wins
- Opinionated PEP 8-compliant formatting for consistent Python style
- Changed-line, check-only, diff, and ignore-rule support
- Integrations across editors, GitHub Actions, pre-commit, and notebooks
Where it doesn't
- Supports Python rather than multiple programming languages
- Jupyter Notebook formatting requires an optional installation extra
- No library API is listed in the published category specifications
Scalafmt — where it wins
- Supports Scala 2 and Scala 3 dialects
- Integrates with sbt, Maven, Gradle, and Mill
- Offers editor, changed-file, and library API options
Where it doesn't
- Focused on Scala, sbt, and Scala scripts rather than many languages
- Configuration is managed through a .scalafmt.conf file
- Not a hosted commercial service with paid support tiers
- Black6.9/10 · Free plan
A focused open-source formatter for consistent Python style and smaller diffs.
Visit BlackFull verdict → - Scalafmt6.6/10 · Free plan
A configurable, open-source formatter for Scala code, scripts, and build files.
Visit ScalafmtFull verdict →
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- clang-format vs Scalafmt
All code formatting tools comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update