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Head-to-head · Code Duplication Detection Tools

Simian Similarity Analyzer vs NiCad

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Simian Similarity Analyzer #7 in Code Duplication Detection Tools 6.6/10 Open source Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Simian
NiCad #8 in Code Duplication Detection Tools 6.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit NiCad

Simian Similarity Analyzer leads on 0 checks, NiCad on 0, and 5 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 scoreSimian Similarity Analyzer · 6.6/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresSimian Similarity Analyzer · 3 of 4

Simian Similarity Analyzer scores higher on our rubric for code duplication detection tools: 6.6 against 6.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

Simian Similarity Analyzer is the better fit for broad-language duplicate checks in build pipelines. NiCad is the better fit for researchers needing configurable clone analysis.

  • Simian Similarity Analyzer fits best

    Broad-language duplicate checks in build pipelines

  • NiCad fits best

    Researchers needing configurable clone analysis

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Side by side

Feature Simian Similarity Analyzer 6.6/10 Visit ↗ NiCad 6.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 6.6 6.5
Ranking #7 in Code Duplication Detection Tools #8 in Code Duplication Detection Tools
Best for Broad-language duplicate checks in build pipelines Researchers needing configurable clone analysis
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Simian Similarity Analyzer 3/4 · NiCad 1/4
Near-duplicate detection ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Duplication gates ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Trend visualisation — Not checked yet
Open-source option ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported languages 19 Not checked yet
CI/PR reporting Ci Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports 19 languages and near-duplicate matching
  • Configurable thresholds plus include and exclude file filters
  • Gradle and build-pipeline integration with duplication failure gates
  • Finds exact and near-miss clones with configurable similarity thresholds
  • Supports normalization, renaming, filtering, and abstraction
  • Reports clone pairs and classes in XML or browsable HTML
Cons
  • Command-line workflow may not suit teams seeking a visual interface
  • No trend visualisation is provided
  • Self-hosted deployment requires teams to manage the runtime
  • Command-line and self-hosted use may require technical setup
  • Language availability varies by version and distribution
  • No verified integrations are specified
Our verdict

Simian Similarity Analyzer is an open-source, language-agnostic command-line tool for finding duplicated blocks in source code and other human-readable files. It is aimed at teams that need duplicate checks across large codebases, from…

Read the review →

NiCad is a free, open-source command-line tool for detecting exact and near-miss code clones in software systems. It is aimed at researchers and developers who want to configure how source fragments are extracted, normalized, and compared,…

Read the review →
  1. Simian Similarity AnalyzerCode Duplication Detection Tools 6.6Open source
  2. NiCadCode Duplication Detection Tools 6.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Simian Similarity Analyzer — where it wins

    • Supports 19 languages and near-duplicate matching
    • Configurable thresholds plus include and exclude file filters
    • Gradle and build-pipeline integration with duplication failure gates

    Where it doesn't

    • Command-line workflow may not suit teams seeking a visual interface
    • No trend visualisation is provided
    • Self-hosted deployment requires teams to manage the runtime

  • NiCad — where it wins

    • Finds exact and near-miss clones with configurable similarity thresholds
    • Supports normalization, renaming, filtering, and abstraction
    • Reports clone pairs and classes in XML or browsable HTML

    Where it doesn't

    • Command-line and self-hosted use may require technical setup
    • Language availability varies by version and distribution
    • No verified integrations are specified
  • Simian Similarity Analyzer6.6/10 · Open source

    A configurable, language-agnostic duplicate checker for build pipelines.

    Visit SimianFull verdict →
  • NiCad6.5/10 · Free plan

    A configurable command-line tool for finding exact and near-miss code clones.

    Visit NiCadFull verdict →

More comparisons

All code duplication detection tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update