REUSE Tool
Open-source command-line compliance checks for SPDX and REUSE workflows.
At a glance
- Editor scoreNot yet scored
- PricingFree plan
- Best forAdding and validating SPDX compliance data
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Policy enforcementBoth
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Adds SPDX copyright and license headers to project files
- Lints projects and individual files for REUSE compliance
- Runs with Docker or as a Git pre-commit hook
Where it doesn't
- Focused on REUSE compliance rather than broad dependency scanning
- Does not provide attribution reports
- Requires a local command-line workflow rather than hosted SaaS
Our verdict on REUSE Tool
REUSE Tool is an open-source command-line utility from the Free Software Foundation Europe for documenting and checking software license compliance. It is intended for developers and teams that want to apply REUSE recommendations across software projects, add SPDX copyright and license information, manage license texts, validate files, and generate SPDX documents. The tool supports Windows and Linux, with installation through package managers, pipx, pip, or source. Its local design suits repositories where compliance checks belong in development and CI workflows rather than in a hosted application.
Its strongest area is focused SPDX and REUSE workflow support. REUSE Tool can add copyright and license headers, download license texts into a LICENSES directory, lint complete projects, lint individual files, list supported SPDX licenses, and generate SPDX documents. The published integrations fit source-control and automation workflows: it can run through Docker or as a Git pre-commit hook, and it integrates with GitHub, GitLab, Travis, and Drone. The category specifications also identify SPDX as its SBOM import format and support both license policy enforcement and obligation tracking.
REUSE Tool is free and open source, making it a practical choice for teams that need a focused compliance utility without a paid tier. Its scope is narrower than a broad software composition analysis or dependency-scanning platform: the positioning centers on REUSE compliance, while attribution reports are not part of the listed capabilities. Choose it when SPDX metadata, license text organization, repository linting, and developer-tool integration are the priority. Choose an alternative when you need broader dependency analysis or attribution reporting in the same product.
REUSE Tool pricing
REUSE Tool fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Policy enforcement | Both |
| Obligation tracking | Yes |
| Attribution reports | No |
| SBOM import formats | SPDX |
| Deployment options | On-premise |
| Source scan methods | Multiple |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 7 integrations: Docker, Git, pre-commit, GitHub, GitLab, Travis … |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | reuse.software |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
REUSE Tool integrations
REUSE Tool lists 7 integrations on its own site.
- Docker
- Git
- pre-commit
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Travis
- Drone
Alternatives to REUSE Tool
- FOSSABroad open-source compliance coverage with free access, CI/CD controls, and SBOM workflows.5.0
- OSS Review ToolkitA flexible, self-hosted toolkit with broad ecosystem coverage and policy automation.—
- FossID WorkbenchA deep governance platform for teams managing open-source risk across the software lifecycle.—
See all REUSE Tool alternatives →
Used REUSE Tool? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used REUSE Tool for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
REUSE Tool is listed in our Open Source License Compliance Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/reuse-tool/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/reuse-tool.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.