# Composal vs JetBrains Qodana

Qodana applies source inspections and quality profiles. Composal checks the deployed application through browser scenarios and exploratory runs, complementing code analysis with runtime evidence.

## Composal

Composal sends AI browser agents to use your running web app and check the outcomes you care about. Define journeys as plain-English Scenarios, map existing flows with Discovery, or explore for bugs with Deep Scan. Runs keep recordings and reproduction steps so your team or coding agent can investigate a Finding.

[Verify documentation](https://composal.com/docs/verify)

## JetBrains Qodana

Static code analysis in CI and JetBrains IDEs

Qodana runs static analysis based on JetBrains inspections for supported languages and frameworks. It can run locally or in CI, with reports and quality gates tied to project configuration.

## What each tool does

| Workflow | Composal | JetBrains Qodana |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Run browser journeys](https://composal.com/product/scenarios) | ✓ Yes: Run saved browser Scenarios and return recordings and reproducible Findings. | × No: The documented product reviews or analyzes source changes; it does not execute browser journeys. |
| [Map application workflows](https://composal.com/product/discovery) | ✓ Yes: Discovery maps key application areas and user journeys. | – Not confirmed: Check whether this product includes this workflow in your intended plan and setup. |
| [Explore for unexpected issues](https://composal.com/product/deep-scan) | ✓ Yes: Deep Scan explores the running application and reports reproducible issues. | – Not confirmed: Check whether this product includes this workflow in your intended plan and setup. |
| [Describe checks in plain English](https://composal.com/product/scenarios) | ✓ Yes: Author Scenarios around the intended user outcome, then review the steps and expected results. | – Not confirmed: Check whether this product includes this workflow in your intended plan and setup. |
| [Run or inspect from a terminal](https://composal.com/product/cli) | ✓ Yes: Use the CLI to start and inspect verification runs and their Findings. | – With setup: Connect its specialist checks to your development workflow using supported integrations. |
| Source code review and analysis | × No: Use a dedicated tool for this specialist workflow alongside Composal’s browser verification. | ✓ Yes: Qodana runs static analysis based on JetBrains inspections for supported languages and frameworks. It can run locally or in CI, with reports and quality gates tied to project configuration. |

With setup means you supply code or configuration. Not confirmed means support for this workflow needs checking with the vendor.

## Where each fits

Choose Qodana when JetBrains inspections and its CI reporting fit the development environment. Choose Composal for hosted browser QA, product Discovery, and reproducible Findings for engineering agents.

## Try this evaluation

Configure Qodana for a changed frontend or backend module and run Composal against its preview. Compare static inspection results with user-visible outcomes and identify issues that require application execution.

### Coverage

Which user outcomes must this release prove, and which specialist checks must stay in your existing stack?

### Setup

Who prepares accounts, test data, permissions and access to the deployment being tested?

### Evidence

Can the engineer reproduce a reported failure from the recording and steps, without asking the tester to investigate again?

### Ownership

Who updates the checks when the product changes, and can the team review what a passing result actually proves?

## Related comparisons

- [Composal vs Semgrep Code](https://composal.com/compare/composal-vs-semgrep-code.md)
- [Composal vs Trunk Check](https://composal.com/compare/composal-vs-trunk-check.md)
- [Composal vs SonarQube](https://composal.com/compare/composal-vs-sonarqube.md)

[All comparisons](https://composal.com/compare.md)