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Head-to-head · Code Search Tools

LXR Cross Referencer vs OpenGrok

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score LXR Cross Referencer #2 in Code Search Tools 9.2/10 Open source ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit LXR
OpenGrok #8 in Code Search Tools 8.5/10 Open source ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit OpenGrok

LXR Cross Referencer leads on 0 checks, OpenGrok on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreLXR Cross Referencer · 9.2/10

LXR Cross Referencer scores higher on our rubric for code search tools: 9.2 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

LXR Cross Referencer is the better fit for web-based multi-version source browsing. OpenGrok is the better fit for organizations wanting comprehensive open-source search.

  • LXR Cross Referencer fits best

    Web-based multi-version source browsing

  • OpenGrok fits best

    Organizations wanting comprehensive open-source search

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Side by side

Feature LXR Cross Referencer 9.2/10 Visit ↗ OpenGrok 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.5
Ranking #2 in Code Search Tools #8 in Code Search Tools
Best for Web-based multi-version source browsing Organizations wanting comprehensive open-source search
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Open source
Free plan Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features LXR Cross Referencer 1/3 · OpenGrok 1/3
Regex search Not checked yet —
Code navigation ✓ ✓
IDE extensions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Indexing scope Codebase Codebase
Deployment Self_hosted Self_hosted
Supported languages Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Links identifiers to their definitions and usages
  • Supports multiple languages, versions, and project trees
  • Integrates with Git, Subversion, CVS, and Mercurial
  • Searches text, definitions, symbols, paths, and revision history
  • Supports Git, Subversion, Mercurial, CVS, SCCS, and TeamWare
  • Provides cross-references, diffs, annotations, REST API, and Docker deployment
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires installation configuration
  • Database setup is part of the installation process
  • No AI features for code search or navigation
  • Self-hosted deployment requires an indexer and application environment
  • Regular-expression search is limited to partial wildcard support
  • No AI-powered search or assistance features
Our verdict

LXR Cross Referencer is an open-source, self-hosted tool for browsing and indexing source code through a web interface. It is designed for developers and teams that need searchable, navigable views of source repositories, particularly when…

Read the review →

OpenGrok is a Java-based, self-hosted source-code search and cross-reference engine for developers and organizations that need to browse locally indexed codebases. It searches full text, definitions, symbols, paths, and revision history,…

Read the review →
  1. LXR Cross ReferencerCode Search Tools 9.2Open source
  2. OpenGrokCode Search Tools 8.5Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • LXR Cross Referencer — where it wins

    • Links identifiers to their definitions and usages
    • Supports multiple languages, versions, and project trees
    • Integrates with Git, Subversion, CVS, and Mercurial

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires installation configuration
    • Database setup is part of the installation process
    • No AI features for code search or navigation

  • OpenGrok — where it wins

    • Searches text, definitions, symbols, paths, and revision history
    • Supports Git, Subversion, Mercurial, CVS, SCCS, and TeamWare
    • Provides cross-references, diffs, annotations, REST API, and Docker deployment

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires an indexer and application environment
    • Regular-expression search is limited to partial wildcard support
    • No AI-powered search or assistance features
  • LXR Cross Referencer9.2/10 · Open source

    A focused open-source browser for navigating indexed code across versions and repositories.

    Visit LXRFull verdict →
  • OpenGrok8.5/10 · Open source

    A broad, open-source search engine for organizations indexing their own codebases.

    Visit OpenGrokFull verdict →

More comparisons

All code search tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update