Black

Name: Black
Brand: Black
Rating: 4.1 (17 reviews)

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Uncompromising Python code formatter

Developer Tools IDE & Code Editors Automation

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4.1(17 across the web)

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Reviews onCapterra

17 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Python code formatter

Biggest con

Python only

TL;DR - Black

Black is the uncompromising Python code formatter that enforces consistent style
It formats code automatically with zero configuration, ending style debates
Free and open-source

Pricing: Free forever

Best for: Individuals & startups

4.1/5 across review platforms

What is Black?

Editorial review

Black formats Python code and doesn't ask questions. No configuration options, no style debates-feed it code, get back consistently formatted output. The format is opinionated, and that's the point. Integration with editors reformats on save. CI checks ensure commits are formatted. Teams stop arguing about style because Black decides for everyone. Python teams adopt Black to end formatting discussions forever. The loss of control is a feature, not a bug.

Available on: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourceblack.readthedocs.io ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

Python code formatter
Opinionated
No configuration
Active development
Industry standard

Cons

Python only
No customization
Strict formatting
Breaking changes history
Slow on large files

Ratings Across the Web

4.1(17 reviews)

Capterra17 reviews

4.1/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Python formatterUncompromisingDeterministicPEP 8CI integrationOpen source

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Jul 15, 2026

Free

Open source

Python formatter
Opinionated style
Fast
MIT license

Calculate your cost View full pricing

Is Black worth the price?

100/10

Black's pricing is exceptionally fair and generous, as it is entirely free.

There are no paid tiers, making it an accessible and cost-effective solution for all users. It's best for any Python developer or team looking for consistent code formatting without any financial commitment.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

None, it's completely free.

No overage fees.

No seat minimums.

How Black Compares to Competitors

Black stands out by being completely free, unlike some commercial formatters or IDE extensions that might have associated costs. For instance, some advanced IDE features or linters might be part of paid subscriptions, whereas Black offers its core functionality without charge. This makes Black a highly competitive and cost-effective choice.

Reviews

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4.1/5

Across 17 verified user reviews on Capterra

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Best Black Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

GitGuardianFreemium

Detect hardcoded secrets and exposed credentials in code and public repos

4.6

pre-commitFree

A multi-language package manager for pre-commit Git hooks to automate code quality checks.

4.3

commitlintFree

Lint commit messages to ensure consistent and high-quality commit conventions.

2.8

See all developer tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

Black vs GitGuardianHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Black vs pre-commitHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Black vs commitlintHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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Black FAQ

How does Black help development teams improve their workflow?

Black helps development teams by automatically formatting Python code, which eliminates style debates and ensures consistent code across projects. It integrates with editors to reformat on save and supports CI checks to verify formatting before commits.

What kind of user benefits most from Black?

Black is best suited for Python development teams that want to standardize their code style without manual configuration or ongoing discussions. Its opinionated approach removes the need for style guides and enforces consistency automatically.

How is Black priced?

Black is free to use, requiring no paid plans or subscriptions to access its full functionality. It is an open-source tool available for all Python developers.

Can Black be customized to fit specific formatting preferences?

No, Black is intentionally designed with no configuration options and does not allow customization of its formatting rules. Its strict, opinionated formatting is a core feature aimed at ending style debates.

How does Black compare to pre-commit?

Black is a Python code formatter that specifically handles code style, while pre-commit is a framework for managing and maintaining multi-language pre-commit hooks. Black can be used as a hook within a pre-commit setup to enforce Python formatting.

Which programming languages does Black support?

Black is exclusively a Python code formatter and only supports the Python programming language. It is not designed to format code written in other languages.

Source: black.readthedocs.io

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