Overview

Rocq is a proof assistant for formal mathematics and software specifications, best suited to people who need machine-checked proofs or certified program extraction. Its small certification kernel is a compelling basis for that work; the trade-off is a source-based Linux installation through the Rocq Platform.

Work is expressed in Gallina, a language for mathematical and specification development. Rocq checks proofs with its certification kernel and can extract programs to OCaml, Haskell, or Scheme. It is written in OCaml and distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public Licence Version 2.1.

Key features

Interactive proof development: Interactive methods, decision and semi-decision algorithms, and a tactic language support different approaches to constructing proofs. This flexibility suits formal work, but the tool is aimed at users prepared to work directly with proofs and specifications.
Machine-checked artifacts: Proofs are checked by a relatively small kernel. The site describes the well-delimited kernel and OCaml implementation as providing strong guarantees for mechanised artifacts.
Certified program extraction: Rocq extracts programs to OCaml, Haskell, or Scheme, making it relevant when a proof-development workflow also needs executable output.
External connections: Connections to computer algebra systems and other theorem provers can support workflows that use more than one formal tool.
Editor integrations: The official VsRocq extension supports Visual Studio Code. Rocq LSP, VsCoq Legacy, Proof General, Coqtail, and RocqIDE provide additional editor or IDE options.

Pricing

Rocq Prover costs 0.00 USD per free. The free plan includes an interactive theorem prover and dependently typed programming language under the LGPL Version 2.1. There is no free trial; with the product already free, there is no paid plan or trial period to weigh. The license makes Rocq a practical option for both individual study and formal development where an open-licensed toolchain is appropriate.

Platforms

Rocq is self-hosted, with Platform installation support for Windows, macOS, and many Linux distributions. Precompiled installers are provided for Windows and macOS, while Linux users install Rocq and its packages from source through Platform scripts; there is no Rocq Platform binary installer for Linux. That extra setup makes Linux a less convenient starting point for users who want a prebuilt installer. Rocq is also available as a Docker image.

For editing, users can work through the official Visual Studio Code extension or choose among the other documented integrations. Community support is available through Zulip, Discourse, and GitHub issue reporting.

Who it's for

Rocq is a strong fit for people in mathematics, computer science, and related fields who need to develop formal proofs, specify programs, or verify that programs meet specifications. It also suits teaching and development workflows that benefit from the Rocq Platform's combination of the core prover, libraries, and plugins. It is less suitable for someone seeking a hosted, turnkey proof service: Rocq is self-hosted, and Linux installation requires building from sources.

Pros and cons

Pro: A relatively small kernel checks proofs, making machine-checked artifacts central to the workflow.
Pro: Proof development can lead to extracted programs in OCaml, Haskell, or Scheme.
Pro: The free LGPL-licensed toolchain includes editor integrations and a Docker image.
Con: Linux users do not get a Platform binary installer and must use source-based installation.
Con: Rocq's focus on proofs, specifications, and dependently typed programming is specialized rather than a general-purpose software development workflow.

Alternatives

PVS is another free theorem-proving option for Linux, macOS, and Windows; its noncommercial plan is free, while commercial users need custom pricing.

UPPAAL may suit eligible academic users looking for a free academic license; it is a freemium tool for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Alloy Analyzer is a free, open-source alternative with a self-contained executable for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

HOL4 is a free alternative under the Modified (3-clause) BSD licence, available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use.

NuSMV is a free, open-source LGPL v2.1 option for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Z3 is a free, MIT-licensed alternative with downloads and source code, including web, API, and self-hosted platforms.

CBMC is a free, open-source alternative under the 4-clause BSD licence, available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use.

Isabelle is distributed for free under open-source licenses, with its main code-base subject to BSD-style regulations.

Browse more options in Formal Verification Tools.

Verdict

Choose Rocq if your work depends on machine-checked mathematical proofs, formal specifications, or extracting certified programs, and you want a free, open-licensed toolchain. Its kernel and proof-to-program workflow are the main reasons to choose it; look elsewhere if you need a hosted service or a ready-made Linux binary installer.

	Rocq	SeaHorn
Free plan	Yes
Free trial	No
Paid from	Free
Platforms	extension, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows	Linux, macOS, self-hosted
Free plan	Yes
Verification method	deductive	hybrid
Supported formalisms	theorem-proving	invariants
Proof artifacts	Yes
Input languages	Gallina and Rocq vernacular	C, LLVM IR
Deployment	self-hosted	self-hosted
Counterexamples		Yes

Rocq vs SeaHorn

Rocq

SeaHorn