distcc

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hostedWindows

What distcc is

distcc is a free tool for distributing C, C++, Objective C, and Objective C++ builds across networked machines. It sends preprocessed source code to machines running the distccd daemon and a suitable compiler. The project says distributed builds should match local build results and are usually faster than compiling on one machine. distcc works with GNU Make, SCons, and other build tools that support parallel builds. GCC is fully supported; Intel icc is somewhat compatible, and the FAQ reports that Sun’s proprietary C compiler works in C mode. Machines with different processors or operating systems can participate when the needed cross-compilers are installed. The project is developed on GNU/Linux and reports operation on FreeBSD, NetBSD, Darwin, Solaris, HP-UX, IRIX, Cygwin, and BSD/OS; listed platforms include Linux, macOS, self-hosted use, and Windows. Described scenarios include developer workgroups, laptop users sending builds to a faster home machine, and developers working on embedded or small computers. Related tools cover server selection, centralized control, cross-compilation toolchains, and server monitoring. TCP transmissions are neither encrypted nor signed; SSH connections are authenticated and encrypted. The security notes warn that anyone who can reach the server port can run commands as the distccd user, and that client and server trust each other. distcc does not automatically choose the best distribution of work. The project dates to 2002.

Who it suits

distcc suits C-family developers who can use several networked machines to share compilation work. Its described scenarios include developer workgroups, laptop users offloading builds to a faster home machine, and developers working with embedded or small computers.

What it does well

Distributes four C-family languages across networked machines.
Works with GNU Make, SCons, and other parallel build tools.
Supports different processors and operating systems with appropriate cross-compilers.
GCC is fully supported.
SSH connections are authenticated and encrypted.

What to know first

TCP transmissions are not encrypted or signed.
It does not automatically select the best work distribution.
Clients and servers trust each other, and reachable clients can run commands as distccd.

Limits

The free distcc plan has no paid tiers stated. distcc does not automatically determine the best distribution of work across machines.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
distcc	Free distributed C/C++ compiler · no paid tiers stated	Free

As distcc.org lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://www.distcc.org/.
Install or arrange access on the listed Linux, macOS, Windows, or self-hosted platforms.
Run distccd and provide an appropriate compiler on each participating machine.
Use distcc with GNU Make, SCons, or another build tool that supports parallel builds.
Use SSH connections for authenticated and encrypted connections, or restrict TCP access with allow rules or firewall rules.

Verdict

Choose distcc if you want a free way to distribute C-family compilation across machines and can manage the participating hosts. Look elsewhere if you need automatic work allocation or cannot accommodate its stated trust and network security model.

Questions

How much does distcc cost?

The listed distcc plan costs nothing, and no paid tiers are stated.

Which programming languages does it distribute?

It distributes builds of C, C++, Objective C, and Objective C++ code.

Which platforms are listed?

Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows are listed. The project also reports operation on several other systems, including FreeBSD, NetBSD, Darwin, Solaris, HP-UX, IRIX, Cygwin, and BSD/OS.

Which compilers does it support?

GCC is fully supported. Intel icc is somewhat compatible, and the FAQ reports Sun’s proprietary C compiler working in C mode.

Can I use it with build tools and ccache?

It works with GNU Make, SCons, and other tools that support parallel builds. ccache and distcc can run as separate programs, but ccache prevents distcc’s pump mode.

How are network connections secured?

TCP transmissions are not encrypted or signed. SSH connections are authenticated and encrypted; the security notes also recommend restricting access to TCP servers.

Facts from distcc's own pages

Access risk: The security notes state that anyone able to connect to the server port can run arbitrary commands as the distccd user, and that the client and server trust each other. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Build behavior: The site says distcc should produce the same results as a local build and is usually faster than compiling locally. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Build tools: The site describes using distcc with GNU Make, SCons, or other build tools that support parallel builds. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Caching integration: The FAQ says ccache and distcc can be used as separate programs, but using ccache prevents distcc's pump mode. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Compiler support: The FAQ says GCC is fully supported; Intel icc is somewhat compatible, and Sun's proprietary C compiler is reported to work in C mode. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Cross-platform builds: The site says machines can use different processors or operating systems when appropriate cross-compilers are installed. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Founded: 2002 · distcc.org, 28 Sept 2026
How it works: distcc sends preprocessed source code over the network and uses a distccd daemon and an appropriate compiler on each volunteer machine. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Known limitation: The FAQ says distcc does not automatically detect the best distribution of work across machines. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Other related tools: The site lists dmucs for server selection, ccontrol for centralized control, crosstool for cross-compilation toolchains, and distccWebView for monitoring servers. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Platform support: The home page says distcc is developed on GNU/Linux and has been reported to work on FreeBSD, NetBSD, Darwin, Solaris, HP-UX, IRIX, Cygwin and BSD/OS. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose: distcc distributes builds of C, C++, Objective C and Objective C++ code across multiple networked machines. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Security: SSH mode: The security notes say SSH connections are authenticated and encrypted, and each user's server process runs with that user's account privileges. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Security: TCP mode: The security notes warn that TCP transmissions are not encrypted or signed and recommend restricting access with --allow rules or firewall rules. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Support: The FAQ directs unanswered questions to the mailing list archives or the distcc mailing list. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026
Use cases: The scenarios page describes use by developer workgroups, laptop users who offload builds to a faster home machine, and developers working on embedded or small computers. · distcc.org, 8 Oct 2026

Where distcc stands on Freedom251

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