Head-to-head · Formal Verification Tools
Rocq vs ACL2
Rocq leads on 0 checks, ACL2 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 scoreRocq · 9.3/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresACL2 · 2 of 2
Rocq scores higher on our rubric for formal verification tools: 9.3 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #19.
Rocq is the better fit for certified theorem proving with strong tooling. ACL2 is the better fit for software and hardware theorem proving.
- Rocq fits best
Certified theorem proving with strong tooling
- ACL2 fits best
Software and hardware theorem proving
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Side by side
| Feature | Rocq 9.3/10 Visit ↗ | ACL2 7.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.3 | 7.6 |
| Ranking | #3 in Formal Verification Tools | #19 in Formal Verification Tools |
| Best for | Certified theorem proving with strong tooling | Software and hardware theorem proving |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Rocq 1/2 · ACL2 2/2 | ||
| Counterexamples | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Proof artifacts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Verification method | Deductive | Deductive |
| Supported formalisms | Theorem-proving | Theorem-proving |
| Input languages | Gallina and Rocq vernacular | ACL2 logic and a subset of applicative Common Lisp |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Self-hosted |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Rocq is an open-source interactive theorem prover and dependently typed programming language for mathematical formalisation, education, research, and verified software development. It lets users define programs, predicates, mathematical… Read the review → |
ACL2 is an interactive theorem prover and programming language for modeling computer systems and proving properties about those models. Its logic is based on a subset of applicative Common Lisp, making it suitable for teams working with… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Rocq — where it wins
- Kernel machine-checks proof terms through a small certification kernel
- Extracts certified programs to OCaml, Haskell, and Scheme
- Supports RocqIDE, major editors, Docker, and opam
Where it doesn't
- Focused on theorem proving rather than broader verification formalisms
- Self-hosted deployment requires managing the local environment
- No commercial pricing tiers or vendor-hosted plan options
ACL2 — where it wins
- Combines rewriting, induction, symbolic simulation, BDD and SAT reasoning
- Supports software and hardware verification with community-maintained libraries
- Provides counterexamples and certified books with machine-readable artifacts
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted distribution requires local source code or executable installation
- Uses ACL2 logic and a subset of applicative Common Lisp
- Windows deployments typically involve Unix emulation or a virtual machine
- Rocq9.3/10 · Free plan
A free, kernel-checked theorem prover with dependent types, automation, and certified extraction.
Visit RocqFull verdict → - ACL27.6/10 · Free plan
A free, self-hosted prover for software and hardware verification with deep deductive reasoning.
Visit ACL2Full verdict →
Rocq vs ACL2: questions
Which is better for formal verification tools, Rocq or ACL2?
Rocq scores higher on our rubric for formal verification tools: 9.3 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #19.
How do Rocq and ACL2 compare?
All 3 checks we put side by side come out level: neither leads on any.
Do Rocq and ACL2 have a free plan?
Rocq: Yes. ACL2: Yes.
More comparisons
All formal verification tools comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update