Homebrew vs. Zero Install Comparison


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About The missing package manager for macOS (or Linux). The script explains what it will do and then pauses before it does it. Homebrew installs the stuff you need that Apple (or your Linux system) didn’t. Homebrew installs packages to their own directory and then symlinks their files into /usr/local (on macOS Intel). Homebrew won’t install files outside its prefix and you can place a Homebrew installation wherever you like. Trivially create your own Homebrew packages. It’s all Git and Ruby underneath, so hack away with the knowledge that you can easily revert your modifications and merge upstream updates. Homebrew formulae are simple Ruby scripts. Homebrew complements macOS (or your Linux system). Install your RubyGems with gem and their dependencies with brew. Homebrew Cask installs macOS apps, fonts and plugins and other non-open source software. Making a cask is as simple as creating a formula.	About A decentralized cross-platform software installation system. Works on Linux, Windows and macOS. Fully open-source. Run apps with a single click. Run applications without having to install them first. Control everything from a command line or graphical interface. You control your own computer. You don't have to guess what happens during installation. Mix and match stable and experimental apps on a single system. Anyone can distribute software. Create one package that works on multiple platforms. Publish on any static web host; no central point of control. With dependency handling and automatic updates. Security is central. Installing an app doesn't grant it administrator access. Digital signatures are always checked before new software is run. Apps can share libraries without having to trust each other. Adds automatic self-updating, staged rollouts and various improvements to desktop integration.
Platforms Supported Windows Not Supported Mac Supported Linux Supported Cloud Not Supported On-Premises Not Supported iPhone Not Supported iPad Not Supported Android Not Supported Chromebook Not Supported	Platforms Supported Windows Supported Mac Supported Linux Supported Cloud Not Supported On-Premises Not Supported iPhone Not Supported iPad Not Supported Android Not Supported Chromebook Not Supported
Audience Professional users in search of a solution to create and install packages to their own directory	Audience Any user looking for a decentralised cross-platform software installation system solution
Support Phone Support Not Supported 24/7 Live Support Not Supported Online Supported	Support Phone Support Not Supported 24/7 Live Support Not Supported Online Supported
API Offers API Supported	API Offers API Not Supported
Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos	Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos
Pricing Free Free Version Supported Free Trial Not Supported	Pricing Free Free Version Supported Free Trial Not Supported
Reviews/Ratings Overall 5.0 / 5 ease 5.0 / 5 features 5.0 / 5 design 4.0 / 5 support 4.0 / 5 Read all reviews	Reviews/Ratings Overall 0.0 / 5 ease 0.0 / 5 features 0.0 / 5 design 0.0 / 5 support 0.0 / 5 This software hasn't been reviewed yet. Be the first to provide a review: Review this Software
Pros & Cons from Real Users Pros Homebrew is a really easy way to install and upgrade various tools and packages on MacOS, for free. Its great for development, to make your mac a bit more like a linux box with common packages, GNU tools, etc. Its frequently updated so has lots of packages and quite recent versions of them. Cons Sometimes upgrading or installing one package triggers a lot of other packages to get upgraded too. Homebrew has its reasons for this, but it can be annoying when it takes a lot longer than you're expecting for just the package your interested in installing.
Training Documentation Supported Webinars Not Supported Live Online Not Supported In Person Not Supported	Training Documentation Supported Webinars Not Supported Live Online Not Supported In Person Not Supported
Company Information Homebrew brew.sh/	Company Information Zero Install 0install.net
Alternatives Fink	Alternatives MacPorts
Rudix	Snapcraft
ServBay	Homebrew
Homebrew Cask Homebrew	YUM Red Hat
Updatest View All	Homebrew Cask Homebrew View All
Categories Package Managers Supported Software Deployment Supported	Categories Package Managers Supported

Integrations Debian Not Supported Defang Supported Echidna Supported Fedora Not Supported Fortran Package Manager Supported Gentoo Not Supported Git Supported Jumpcut Supported Koi Supported Koidex Supported OpenAPI Generator Supported Ruby Supported SOOS Supported Ubuntu Not Supported Updatest Supported Xdebug Supported ent Supported gitleaks Supported openSUSE Leap Not Supported { Gisto } Supported Show More Integrations View All 16 Integrations	Integrations Debian Supported Defang Not Supported Echidna Not Supported Fedora Supported Fortran Package Manager Not Supported Gentoo Supported Git Not Supported Jumpcut Not Supported Koi Not Supported Koidex Not Supported OpenAPI Generator Not Supported Ruby Not Supported SOOS Not Supported Ubuntu Supported Updatest Not Supported Xdebug Not Supported ent Not Supported gitleaks Not Supported openSUSE Leap Supported { Gisto } Not Supported Show More Integrations View All 7 Integrations
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