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Lizard

Free#12 of 18 in Code Complexity Analyzers

Lizard: A free, multi-language CLI for complexity, size, threshold, and duplication checks. Ranked #12 of 18 in Code Complexity Analyzers by our editors (6.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for teams wanting a free multi-language CLI analyzer.

6.1/10Editor score
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Lizard6.1 Visit Lizard

At a glance

  • Editor score
    6.1 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Teams wanting a free multi-language CLI analyzer
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    None
  • Facts checked
    24 Sep 2026

  • Where it wins

    • Measures complexity, code size, function tokens, and parameters
    • Supports configurable thresholds, duplicate detection, and .gitignore filtering
    • Exports XML, CSV, HTML, and Checkstyle XML reports with Jenkins support

  • Where it doesn't

    • Does not provide security analysis, type checking, or bug detection
    • Self-hosted installation requires Python 3.8 or later
    • Support is community-based rather than a dedicated service

Our verdict on Lizard

Lizard is an installable, self-hosted static code analysis tool for developers and teams assessing complexity across Python and many other programming languages. It runs locally on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can also be imported as a Python module. Its reports cover cyclomatic complexity, non-comment lines of code, function token count, and parameter count, making it suitable for solo developers through enterprise engineering teams that want a free command-line utility.

The pricing model is straightforward: Lizard is free software with no paid plan described. Teams can configure thresholds for complexity, function length, and parameter count, then receive warnings when those limits are exceeded. Duplicate-code detection adds another maintainability check. For continuous integration workflows, Lizard exports XML, CSV, HTML, and Checkstyle XML formats and supports Jenkins, while path exclusions and .gitignore-based filtering help focus scans on relevant files.

Lizard’s main strength is focused, multi-language measurement rather than broad software-quality coverage. It gives teams a practical way to monitor complexity and duplication, but it does not cover security analysis, type checking, or general bug detection. Setup is self-hosted and requires Python 3.8 or later, with community support available. Choose Lizard when configurable complexity thresholds, local execution, open-source access, and Jenkins-compatible reporting are priorities; choose a more feature-diverse analyzer when security, typing, or bug-finding capabilities are required.

Lizard pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on github.com

Lizard fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromNone
Complexity metricsNot verified
Supported languagesNot verified
Hotspot detectionNot verified
IDE feedbackNot verified
Pull-request gatesNot verified
Trend historyNot verified
DeploymentSelf-hosted
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux
SupportCommunity
Built forSolo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Integrations1 integrations: Jenkins
PricingFree plan
Websitegithub.com
Facts checked24 Sep 2026

Lizard integrations

Lizard lists 1 integrations on its own site.

  • Jenkins

Alternatives to Lizard

See all Lizard alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — Lizard 6.1/10

Lizard is listed in our Code Complexity Analyzers directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

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