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Head-to-head · Code Clone Detection Tools

jscpd vs PMD

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score jscpd #1 in Code Clone Detection Tools 9.4/10 Open source ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit jscpd
PMD #3 in Code Clone Detection Tools 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit PMD

jscpd leads on 0 checks, PMD on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorejscpd · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly PMD
  • Most featuresjscpd · 2 of 3

jscpd scores higher on our rubric for code clone detection tools: 9.4 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

jscpd is the better fit for broad, CI-driven multi-format clone detection. PMD is the better fit for teams wanting clones plus broad static analysis.

  • jscpd fits best

    Broad, CI-driven multi-format clone detection

  • PMD fits best

    Teams wanting clones plus broad static analysis

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature jscpd 9.4/10 Visit ↗ PMD 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.0
Ranking #1 in Code Clone Detection Tools #3 in Code Clone Detection Tools
Best for Broad, CI-driven multi-format clone detection Teams wanting clones plus broad static analysis
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, Linux, macOS
Support Docs Docs
Integrations 3 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features jscpd 2/3 · PMD 0/3
CI integration ✓ (best) Not checked yet
IDE integration Not checked yet Not checked yet
Self-hosted option ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Clone detection method Token Not checked yet
Scan scope Repository Not checked yet
Supported languages Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Detects exact, renamed, and near-miss clones across repositories
  • Supports 224 language and document formats
  • Adds GitHub Actions, SARIF, history trends, and multiple reporters
  • CPD detects duplicated code alongside 400+ built-in analysis rules
  • Supports 16 languages with Java and XPath custom rules
  • Fits Maven, IDE, CI, and major build-tool workflows
Cons
  • Primarily a command-line tool rather than a visual-first product
  • Self-hosted operation places deployment responsibility with the team
  • Its strongest workflow is centered on repository and CI scanning
  • Primarily suits teams comfortable with self-hosted developer tooling
  • Custom rules require Java or XPath knowledge
  • IDE support centers on Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and Visual Studio Code
Our verdict

jscpd is an open-source command-line tool for detecting duplicated source-code blocks across repositories. It uses language-aware tokenization to identify exact, renamed, and near-miss clones, making it suitable for development teams that…

Read the review →

PMD is an open-source, multilanguage static code analyzer for developers and development teams that need more than duplicate-code detection. Its CPD component identifies duplicated code, while the wider analysis engine covers issues such…

Read the review →
  1. jscpdCode Clone Detection Tools 9.4Open source
  2. PMDCode Clone Detection Tools 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • jscpd — where it wins

    • Detects exact, renamed, and near-miss clones across repositories
    • Supports 224 language and document formats
    • Adds GitHub Actions, SARIF, history trends, and multiple reporters

    Where it doesn't

    • Primarily a command-line tool rather than a visual-first product
    • Self-hosted operation places deployment responsibility with the team
    • Its strongest workflow is centered on repository and CI scanning

  • PMD — where it wins

    • CPD detects duplicated code alongside 400+ built-in analysis rules
    • Supports 16 languages with Java and XPath custom rules
    • Fits Maven, IDE, CI, and major build-tool workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Primarily suits teams comfortable with self-hosted developer tooling
    • Custom rules require Java or XPath knowledge
    • IDE support centers on Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and Visual Studio Code
  • jscpd9.4/10 · Open source

    A broad, self-hosted clone detector with strong CI, reporting, and history analysis.

    Visit jscpdFull verdict →
  • PMD9.0/10 · Free plan

    A strong open-source choice for teams pairing clone detection with broad static analysis.

    Visit PMDFull verdict →

More comparisons

All code clone detection tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update