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Apache RAT

Free#27 of 28 in Open Source License Compliance Software

Apache RAT: A focused build-time auditor for license rules and copyright headers. Ranked #27 of 28 in Open Source License Compliance Software by our editors (6.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for apache build-time license header audits.

6.4/10Editor score

Visit Apache RAT

Apache RAT6.4 Visit Apache RAT

At a glance

Editor score
6.4 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Apache build-time license header audits
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Policy enforcement
Both
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Free, open-source command-line auditing
- Ant and Maven integrations for build workflows
- Configurable rules, matchers, filters, and reports
Where it doesn't
- Focused on license and header auditing rather than broad compliance
- Heuristic scanning may miss issues
- Reports require user interpretation

Our verdict on Apache RAT

Apache RAT is an open-source release audit tool for identifying license information and copyright headers in software distributions. It is designed for teams that want local, build-time checks through a command-line client, an Apache Ant task, or an Apache Maven plugin. Its scope is concentrated on license and header auditing rather than serving as a hosted compliance platform.

Its strongest fit is projects already built around Apache Ant or Apache Maven. RAT supports approved and denied license configuration, custom license matchers and definitions, and file inclusion and exclusion rules. It can produce plain-text, XML, and XSLT-styled reports, including reports for unapproved licenses and missing headers. The tool also supports automatic Apache-2.0 header insertion for eligible files, which adds a practical remediation step to its audit workflow. Version 0.18 requires Java 17.

Apache RAT is best suited to development teams that want open-source, on-premise auditing embedded in local commands or build pipelines. It provides multiple source scan methods through its command-line and build-tool integrations, while keeping the focus on license and copyright-header policy enforcement. The published behavior has important boundaries: reports require user interpretation, and heuristic scanning may miss issues. Teams seeking a hosted compliance platform or broader compliance management should choose a more expansive alternative. Teams primarily needing configurable license checks and header audits inside Ant or Maven builds should find RAT a direct fit.

Your product? Our editors can test Apache RAT in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Apache RAT pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on creadur.apache.org

Apache RAT fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Policy enforcement	Both
Obligation tracking	Not verified
Attribution reports	Not verified
SBOM import formats	Not verified
Deployment options	On-premise
Source scan methods	Multiple
Deployment	Self-hosted
Support	Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Integrations	2 integrations: Apache Ant, Apache Maven
Pricing	Free plan
Website	creadur.apache.org
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Apache RAT integrations

Apache RAT lists 2 integrations on its own site.

Apache Ant
Apache Maven

Alternatives to Apache RAT

See all Apache RAT alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

Apache RAT is listed in our Open Source License Compliance Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update