LGTM vs Trunk: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between LGTM and Trunk comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
LGTM
Code analysis platform integrated into GitHub for identifying security vulnerabilities.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need code review features specifically
- • A code analysis platform that identified security issues and code quality problems.
- • Powered by CodeQL technology, it integrated with GitHub for continuous analysis.
Trunk
Code quality and developer experience tools
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.0/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • Trunk is a developer productivity tool for code quality and CI
- • It provides linting, formatting, and merge queue automation
| At a Glance |  LGTM |  Trunk |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Code Review | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | —/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | LGTM | Trunk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Code ReviewTesting & QA | IDE & Code EditorsCode Review |
How LGTM and Trunk Compare
LGTM
Code analysis platform integrated into GitHub for identifying security vulnerabilities.
Free
Trunk
Code quality and developer experience tools
Free tier available · 80/100 score
LGTM is a code review tool. Trunk is in ide & code editors.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
LGTM is free. Trunk is freemium.
Go with: LGTM
Want the highest-rated option?
Trunk scores 80/100. LGTM is unrated.
Go with: Trunk
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Trunk
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
LGTM is free. Trunk is freemium. Go with LGTM if free matters most.
What's your use case?
LGTM is a code review tool. Trunk is in ide & code editors. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Trunk
- Higher score: 80/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
LGTM
- Completely free
- Better fit for code review
The Bottom Line
Trunk (80/100) is our pick. That said, LGTM is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LGTM or Trunk better?
Trunk scores 80/100 in our evaluation. LGTM is free and Trunk is freemium.
What are LGTM and Trunk used for?
LGTM: Code analysis platform integrated into GitHub for identifying security vulnerabilities.. Trunk: Code quality and developer experience tools.
What does LGTM cost vs Trunk?
LGTM is completely free. Trunk is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.