What is the difference between Ruff and Pylint?

Ruff is a Rust-based linter and formatter that checks Python code orders of magnitude faster than Pylint. Pylint is a Python-based static analysis tool with deeper semantic checks, including argument validation and type inference. Ruff implements over 1,000 rules, around 209 of which overlap with Pylint's roughly 409 rules.

Should I use Ruff or Pylint?

Ruff is the better default for fast, automated style enforcement and common patterns, especially in large codebases or CI pipelines where speed matters. Pylint is worth keeping when its deeper static analysis (such as argument validation that Ruff does not yet cover) catches issues Ruff misses. Many projects run both, pairing Ruff with a type checker like mypy or ty for the deeper analysis.

Can Ruff replace Pylint?

Ruff replaces Pylint for most style and common-pattern checks but does not yet match Pylint's deeper semantic analysis. Astral (now part of OpenAI) also maintains ty, a static type checker that handles argument validation and type inference. Together, Ruff and ty cover most of Pylint's surface area, though Pylint retains some unique checks.

Does Ruff fix issues automatically?

Yes. Ruff applies automatic fixes for many of the issues it identifies, such as removing unused imports, sorting imports, and rewriting deprecated syntax. Pylint focuses on detection and reporting and does not automatically rewrite code.

How do Ruff and Pylint compare?

by Tim Hopper · Markdown

Ruff

Ruff and Pylint are Python code analysis tools with overlapping but distinct capabilities.

Ruff runs orders of magnitude faster

Ruff’s Rust implementation analyzes Python files orders of magnitude faster than Pylint’s Python codebase. The gap is most visible in large codebases and CI pipelines.

Ruff covers more rules; Pylint goes deeper

Pylint implements approximately 409 rules. Ruff exceeds 1,000 total rules, with around 209 overlapping with Pylint’s ruleset.

Note

Astral (now part of OpenAI) also maintains ty, a type checker that covers the deeper analysis Ruff doesn’t yet handle: argument validation and type inference.

Ruff fixes issues automatically; Pylint reports them

Ruff applies automatic fixes for many of the issues it finds: removing unused imports, sorting imports, rewriting deprecated syntax. Pylint reports issues without rewriting code.

Pylint supports plugins; Ruff doesn’t

Pylint’s plugin system lets you write custom checkers. Ruff implements all rules natively and has no plugin support.

Using both tools

Ruff for fast, automated style enforcement and common patterns
Pylint for deeper static analysis
A type checker like ty or mypy for argument and type validation

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Last updated on July 22, 2026

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