Best Code Review Tools for Team Quality

We tested 12+ code review tools to find the best options for team quality. These platforms streamline pull request workflows, automate quality checks, and help teams ship better code.

Last updated: January 22, 2026Reviewed 12+ tools

Code review tools showing pull request workflows

Feature Comparison

ToolPriceHostingAuto ReviewStacked PRsSecurity ScanOur Rating
GitHub PRsFree/$4CloudVia ActionsLimitedAdd-on9.4/10
GitLab MRsFree/$29BothBuilt-in9.2/10
Reviewable$10/userCloud8.8/10
GraphiteFree/$24Cloud8.9/10
PhabricatorFreeSelf-hostedLimited8.5/10
GerritFreeSelf-hostedLimited8.3/10
CodacyFree/$15Cloud8.6/10

Deep Dives

1

GitHub Pull Requests

Best Overall
GitHub Pull Request review interface

GitHub Pull Requests provide the most integrated code review experience. Native Actions, code owners, and branch protection create seamless quality workflows.

Strengths

  • Native integration
  • Actions automation
  • Code owners
  • Branch protection
  • Huge ecosystem

Limitations

  • Basic review features
  • No stacked PRs
  • Limited customization
  • Large PR struggles
Who it's for: Best for teams using GitHub who want native, integrated code review.
Use GitHub
2

GitLab Merge Requests

Best for Teams
GitLab Merge Request interface

GitLab Merge Requests integrate code review with complete DevOps. Security scanning, approval rules, and CI/CD in one unified platform.

Strengths

  • Complete DevOps
  • Security scanning
  • Approval rules
  • Self-hosted option
  • All-in-one

Limitations

  • Complex for simple needs
  • UI can be busy
  • Learning curve
  • Performance varies
Who it's for: Best for teams wanting code review integrated with complete DevOps.
Try GitLab
3

Reviewable

Reviewable code review interface

Reviewable provides the most powerful review workflows on top of GitHub. Detailed comment tracking, dispositions, and customizable rules.

Starting price$10/user

Strengths

  • Detailed tracking
  • Disposition system
  • GitHub integration
  • Customizable
  • Review power

Limitations

  • Extra tool
  • Learning curve
  • Monthly cost
  • GitHub only
Who it's for: Best for teams wanting more powerful review features on top of GitHub.
Try Reviewable
4

Graphite

Best for Beginners
Graphite stacked PRs

Graphite brings stacked PR workflows to GitHub. Break large changes into reviewable chunks that merge independently, speeding up review cycles.

Starting priceFree/$24

Strengths

  • Stacked PRs
  • Faster merges
  • GitHub native
  • Modern CLI
  • Reduces review time

Limitations

  • New paradigm
  • Learning curve
  • Team adoption needed
  • Premium for teams
Who it's for: Best for teams wanting to break large PRs into smaller, faster-merging stacks.
Try Graphite
5

Phabricator

Best for Budget
Phabricator Differential

Phabricator is a powerful self-hosted suite including Differential for code review. Used by major tech companies for complex review workflows.

Starting priceFree

Strengths

  • Completely free
  • Self-hosted
  • Powerful features
  • Pre-commit reviews
  • Complete suite

Limitations

  • Self-hosted burden
  • Learning curve
  • Dated UI
  • Maintenance required
Who it's for: Best for teams wanting powerful self-hosted code review.
Get Phabricator
6

Gerrit

Gerrit code review

Gerrit is the enterprise-grade self-hosted review system used by Google and Android. Voting system and fine-grained access control for large projects.

Starting priceFree

Strengths

  • Google scale
  • Fine-grained control
  • Voting system
  • Free
  • Proven at scale

Limitations

  • Complex setup
  • Steep learning curve
  • Dated interface
  • Self-hosted only
Who it's for: Best for large enterprises needing self-hosted, scalable code review.
Get Gerrit
7

Codacy

Codacy automated review

Codacy automates code review with static analysis, quality gates, and security scanning. Catches issues before human review.

Starting priceFree/$15

Strengths

  • Automated analysis
  • Quality gates
  • Security scanning
  • Metrics
  • Multi-language

Limitations

  • Supplements not replaces
  • False positives
  • Per-user pricing
  • Configuration needed
Who it's for: Best for teams wanting automated quality checks alongside human review.
Try Codacy

How We Evaluated

We tested each tool for code review workflow effectiveness.

  • Review Experience (30%)UI, navigation, and commenting.
  • Workflow Features (25%)Approvals, assignments, and automation.
  • Integration (20%)Git platform and CI/CD connections.
  • Team Features (15%)Code owners, notifications, and tracking.
  • Value (10%)Features relative to cost.

How to Choose

  • Choose GitHub Pull Requests if you need using GitHub.
  • Choose GitLab MRs if you need complete DevOps.
  • Choose Graphite if you need want stacked PRs.
  • Choose Phabricator if you need self-hosted free.
  • Choose Codacy if you need automated quality.

Common Questions

For most teams, GitHub or GitLab native review is sufficient. Consider specialized tools for stacked PRs, advanced workflows, or self-hosted requirements.

Stacked PRs break large changes into smaller, independent reviews. Reviewers see less code at once, reviews happen faster, and parts can merge independently.

Yes, tools like Codacy catch style issues and potential bugs before human review, letting reviewers focus on logic and architecture.