Top 10 Code Review Tools

During every software development cycle, code review is a crucial phase where developers test the source code to identify bugs early on.

Teams typically conduct the code review before the merging process. When done right, the code review prevents bugs and errors and improves the quality of the code, helping the team meet its end goals.

Code review tools

The below code review tools can help make the process faster and simpler.

1. Review Board

Open-source and web-based, Review Board is an excellent code review tool that you can test before downloading using the demo on the website.

If you like it, you'll need Python along with a MySQL or PostgreSQL database, and a webserver to run and use Review Board.

One of the best features is that Review Board integrates with the most popular version control systems, including CVS, Git, and Subversion.

You'll also find integrations with tools like Amazon S3, which enables you to store screenshots for documentation purposes without leaving the tool.

In addition, Review Board works for document reviews in addition to code reviews.

2. Collaborator

SmartBear's Collaborator tool makes peer review simple for both code and documents.

As part of the code review, Collaborator also makes it easy to report on relevant key metrics, manage audits, and track bugs and ticket resolutions.

It's the best option for enterprise development teams that need support to get the code review process up and running.

This premium tool starts at $535/year, which includes access for up to five users. Your team can also explore the tool in advance with a free trial.

You'll find that this tool supports almost all popular version control systems and project management tools.

3. CodeScene

If you need a code review tool that does more than static code analysis, CodeScene is the right choice for you.

CodeScene detects code health issues while supporting all major programming languages such as (e.g. C, C++, Java, C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Python) and others.

One of the greatest features of CodeScene is that it an prioritize the parts of the codebase that produce the largest benefits.

CodeScene can perform behavioral analysis through either an on-premise or cloud-based solution.

Price varies depending on the deployment option you choose and the number of users you have.

4. Visual Expert

While this is another option geared towards enterprises, Visual Expert only supports three platforms: SQL Server, PowerBuilder, and Oracle PL/SQL.

With that said, users of any of these database management systems may find that Visual Expert is worth considering.

Visual Expert features traditional code review tools plus it analyzes every code change and helps predict performance issues that may arise from those changes.

Improving the security of code and its quality is that Visual Expert is known for as well.

A free trial enables you to explore the tool, but you'll need to reach out to the team for a quote on pricing.

5. Rhodecode

This web-based code review tool supports Subversion, Git, and Mercurial.

You can deploy Rhodecode as either an on-premise or cloud-based solution as it's geared towards enterprises.

However, the community edition is open source and can be compiled, downloaded, and used for free.

The biggest benefits of Rhodecode include its collaborative, iterative, and conversational approach to code reviews.  

6. GitHub

GitHub is a popular code repository that most developers are familiar with.

However, many don't realize that GitHub has a built-in code review tool available on all plans, including the free tier. If you're already using GitHub, this is a worthwhile consideration.

However, since this tool only works for Git repositories hosted on GitHub, it's not a very flexible option.

With that in mind, the pull request allows you to analyze differences in code, add inline comments, and check change history.

You can also resolve simple conflicts without leaving the web interface. Furthermore, you can integrate other tools to get the most out of the code review process.

7. Veracode

If you're looking to speed up testing, development, and remediation, Veracode is a suite of code review tools that may be the right fit for your projects.

Veracode also markets its tools as a security solution as it will help find vulnerabilities in your code, allowing you to fix security flaws.

8. Phabricator

Like most options, Phabricator is limited to some of the most popular systems. Phabricator supports Git, Mercurial, and SVN for version control.

However, it can manage repositories both locally and externally, and you can scale it across multiple servers.

Overall, Phabricator is a detailed code review tool that will spark conversations about code.

You can conduct reviews pre-commit, on newly submitted code, or on merged code, the latter of which Phabricator calls a code "audit."

Other tools also aid the development cycle, like the built-in bug and feature tracker.

9. Reviewable

Integrated with GitHub, Reviewable is a code review tool dedicated to GitHub pull requests.

If you're working with an open-source repository, the tool is free to use.

For private repositories, the cost starts at $39 per month for up to ten users. The most convenient aspect is that all you have to do is sign into GitHub to use Reviewable.

As a code review tool, Reviewable has overcome many of the drawbacks of GitHub's in-build pull requests, which makes it likely a superior option if that's a top solution you're considering.

10. Gerrit

This free, web-based code review tool is entirely open source.

Designed for Git repositories, Gerrit is written in Java. It combines the features of a bug tracker with a traditional code review tool into one solution, and it displays changes side-by-side, with the option to start a conversation over any line of code.

The integrated voting system is yet another plus, making Gerrit a top choice for anyone using Git repositories to manage their code.

If still you aren't sure which is the best fit for providing you the solution for code reviewing, we have the right team of professionals who can help you do just that.

For advanced resilient solutions for your project reach us today to learn more.