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sbt

A simple build tool

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sbt is a build tool for Scala and Java projects. Build definitions are written in Scala as a DSL in build.sbt, which is compiled so that errors are caught as compilation errors. It supports parallel task graphs, incremental compilation via Zinc with file watching, cross-building against multiple Scala versions, and an interactive shell. Projects can be started from community-maintained Giter8 templates.

sbt supports extensibility through community-maintained plugins, including sbt-native-packager for building native formats like Docker, sbt-release for versioning steps, and sbt-bintray for releasing to Bintray. It is aimed at Scala and Java developers, and is packaged as a downloadable tool with a latest stable version available.

12 alternatives to sbt

Ranked by how well each tool replaces sbt: shared features, audience, price and popularity.

  1. Apache Buildr

    Build like you code

    Covers 9 of 15 key features.

    Open source
    65 out of 100 match—

  2. Bazel

    Fast, correct builds for multi-language, multi-platform projects.

    Covers 10 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    61 out of 100 matchFree

  3. Apache Gump

    Continuous integration tool that builds software against latest versions

    Covers 8 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    60 out of 100 matchContact sales

  4. Jenkins

    Build great things at any scale.

    Covers 5 of 15 key features.

    Open source
    57 out of 100 match—

  5. Apache Maven

    A build tool for Java projects.

    Covers 1 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    56 out of 100 matchFree

  6. Gradle

    Gradle Build Tool accelerates developer productivity

    Covers 0 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    54 out of 100 matchContact sales

  7. SCons

    A software construction tool

    Covers 0 of 15 key features.

    Open source
    54 out of 100 match—

  8. BuildBuddy

    Faster builds. Happier developers.

    Covers 2 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    54 out of 100 matchFree

  9. Snyk

    Secure code, agents, and apps with an independent AI security validation layer

    Covers 4 of 15 key features.

    Free plan
    52 out of 100 matchFree

  10. Travis CI

    CI/CD tool with simple configuration for developers.

    Covers 2 of 15 key features.

    52 out of 100 match$15/mo

  11. Meson Build

    An open source build system designed to be fast and user friendly.

    Covers 0 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    52 out of 100 matchFree

  12. Nix

    Declarative builds and deployments.

    Covers 5 of 15 key features.

    Open source
    52 out of 100 match—