goimports

Free#15 of 34 in Code Formatting Tools

goimports: A focused Go formatter that cleans imports and supports editor save workflows. Ranked #15 of 34 in Code Formatting Tools by our editors (5.9/10); pricing: Open source; best for go teams needing import cleanup.

5.9/10★★★☆☆Editor score

Visit goimports

goimports5.9 Visit goimports

At a glance

• Editor score
  5.9 / 10
• Pricing
  Open source
• Best for
  Go teams needing import cleanup
• Paid from
  None
• Supported languages
  Go
• Facts checked
  21 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Adds missing and removes unreferenced Go imports
  • Formats code in gofmt style with optional diff output
  • Supports editor save hooks and .goimportsignore exclusions

• Where it doesn't

  • Supports Go rather than multiple programming languages
  • Command-line distribution is narrower than hosted tools
  • No AI features

Our verdict on goimports

goimports is an open-source command-line tool for Go developers who want formatting and import management in one workflow. It formats Go source in gofmt style, adds missing imports, and removes unreferenced imports. The tool can process files, directories, or standard input, and it can write formatted output back to source files. Its focus is narrow: teams working primarily in Go will get the clearest fit, while developers seeking a multi-language formatter should consider a broader tool.

Its strongest advantage is the depth of its formatting and import workflow. goimports can rewrite files in place, display diffs instead of changing files, list files whose formatting differs, or run in format-only mode. A .goimportsignore file can exclude directories from import scanning, which gives teams control over where import cleanup applies. The underlying imports functionality is also available through a Go package API, extending its use beyond the command-line interface. These options suit repositories that need formatting checks, review-friendly diffs, or automated save-time cleanup.

Editor integration adds practical ecosystem fit without changing the tool's Go-centered scope. Published integrations include Emacs, Vim, and GoSublime, while save hooks support formatting as part of an editor workflow. goimports is distributed as a Go command through the golang.org/x/tools module and is open source, rather than presented as a hosted service with commercial tiers. Choose it for Go projects that want automatic import cleanup alongside gofmt-style formatting. Choose an alternative if your team needs broad language coverage, a hosted platform, or AI-assisted formatting.

goimports pricing

goimports fact sheet

goimports integrations

goimports lists 3 integrations on its own site.

• Emacs
• Vim
• GoSublime

Alternatives to goimports

• DdprintA broad, editor-friendly formatter for multilingual repositories and changed-file workflows.9.0
• PrettierA broad, open-source formatter for web-language teams across editors and workflows.8.2
• SSpotlessA build-focused formatter for JVM projects that need broad language coverage and automation.7.7

See all goimports alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

goimports is listed in our Code Formatting Tools directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/goimports/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/goimports.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes a score or a verdict. How we rank.

Last updated 28 Sep 2026 · How we research and update