conda is a free, cross-platform package and environment manager for software written in many programming languages. It can find, install, update, and remove packages, while keeping dependencies for different projects in separate environments. Packages are retrieved from channels, which users can configure; the default channel may require a paid license, while conda-forge is free to use. Environments can be created from environment files, and lockfiles help reproduce resolved environments across Windows, macOS, and Linux when the required packages are available. Conda supports dependency resolution, offline installation, and authenticated channels through plugins. Its command-line interface is open-source software under the BSD license, and plugins can extend its behavior. Conda can also be used with pip inside an active environment, though the two package systems have compatibility limits. The documentation recommends Miniconda or Miniforge as installation options, configured for different repositories. Conda supports .conda and .tar.bz2 package formats and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Who it is for
Conda suits developers and teams who need to manage packages and isolate project environments across supported operating systems. It can also help users who need offline installs or repeatable environments, subject to package availability.
What is good
- Manages packages across multiple programming languages
- Separate environments for different projects
- Supports lockfiles and offline installation
- Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux
What to know first
- The default channel may require a paid license
- pip and conda packages have compatibility limits
- Recreated environments depend on package availability
Verdict
Conda brings package management and project environments together across three major desktop operating systems. Users should consider channel licensing and the documented limits when mixing pip and conda packages.
Compared on package managers
- Free plan
- Yes
- Package formats
- .conda, .tar.bz2
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Dependency resolution
- Yes
- Lockfile support
- Yes
- Private registry auth
- Yes
- Offline installation
- Yes
