Hex
by Hex
What Hex is
Hex is a package manager for the BEAM ecosystem, including Elixir and Erlang. Its services include an HTTP API, a website and package repository, HexDocs, and integration with Mix. Packages are supported by Mix, Rebar, and erlang.mk, and Hex provides usage guidance for Gleam. Developers can fetch dependencies without an account. Organizations can publish private packages, manage user access, and set dependency policies: free organizations can publish public policies, while paid organizations can make policies private and apply them to public and private packages. A private package can depend only on packages in its own organization repository and the global hexpm repository. Hex also documents how to build and serve a repository on infrastructure you operate. The free Open Source plan costs nothing. Private Packages is listed at $9 / user / month, with an annual option at $90 / per user / per year; Enterprise pricing is available by contacting sales.
Who it suits
Hex suits developers working with Elixir, Erlang, or other BEAM ecosystem packages, and organizations managing package access and dependency policies. Its self-hosting guidance may also suit teams that want to operate a package repository on their own infrastructure.
What it does well
- Dependencies can be fetched without an account.
- Works with Mix, Rebar, and erlang.mk.
- Organizations can manage access to private packages.
- Supports self-hosting a package repository.
What to know first
- Private packages have a restricted dependency scope.
- Enterprise pricing is available by contacting sales.
Limits
The free Open Source plan is for public packages and public dependency policies. Private packages and private dependency policies are included in paid plans; private packages can depend only on packages in their own organization repository and the global hexpm repository. Packages have a 16 MB size limit.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Private Packages | $9 / user / month · Unlimited private packages · Private package documentation · Republish and delete packages · Private dependency policies | $9 a month |
| Open Source | $0 / user / month · Unlimited public packages · Public package documentation · Multiple package owners · Public dependency policies | Free |
| Private Packages (annual) | $90 / per user / per year · Unlimited private packages · Private package documentation · Private dependency policies | $90 a year |
| Enterprise | Custom · Run your own infrastructure · Mirror hex.pm packages · Whitelist allowed and vetted packages · Apply Security Packages | On request |
As hex.pm lists them, read 28 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://hex.pm/.
- Fetch dependencies without creating an account, or create an account for organization features.
- Use Hex packages with Mix, Rebar, or erlang.mk; consult the site’s Gleam guidance if relevant.
- Choose the Open Source plan for public packages or a Private Packages plan for private package features.
- For a self-hosted repository, follow Hex documentation to build and serve it on infrastructure you operate.
Verdict
Hex combines package distribution and documentation with organization controls for private packages and policies. Its private-package dependency restriction is worth considering when planning how an organization will use it.
Questions
Is Hex free?
Yes. The Open Source plan is free and includes unlimited public packages and public dependency policies.
How much do private packages cost?
The monthly plan is $9 / user / month. The annual option is $90 / per user / per year.
Which platforms does Hex support?
Hex lists API, self-hosted, and web platforms.
Can I use Hex without an account?
Yes. Users can fetch dependencies from Hex without creating an account.
Is Hex open source?
Hex source code is licensed under the Apache 2 License and maintained by the Hex core team.
Who operates Hex?
Hex is operated by Swedish limited company Six Colors AB, which supports its development and runs its services.
Facts from Hex's own pages
- Build tools
- Hex packages are supported by Mix, Rebar, and erlang.mk, and the site also provides Gleam usage guidance. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- Company
- Hex is operated by Swedish limited company Six Colors AB, which supports its development and runs its services. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- Components
- Hex consists of an HTTP API, website, package and index repository, HexDocs, Mix integration, and other services. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- Dependency fetching
- Users can fetch dependencies from Hex without creating an account. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- Dependency policies
- Free organizations can publish public dependency policies, while paid organizations can publish private policies that govern public and private packages. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2014 · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · hex.pm, 20 Sept 2026
- Notable limit
- A private package can depend only on packages in its own organization repository and the global hexpm repository. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- Private packages
- Organizations can publish and fetch private packages and control which users have access. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- Security
- Hex supports organization authentication keys for CI, and its About page directs security vulnerability reports to [email protected]. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- Self hosting
- The documentation explains how to build and serve a Hex package repository on infrastructure you operate. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- Source license
- Hex source code is licensed under the Apache 2 License and maintained by the Hex core team. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- Support
- Hex directs users to [email protected] for direct contact with the core team and general support. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
- What it does
- Hex is a package manager for the BEAM ecosystem, including languages such as Elixir and Erlang. · hex.pm, 28 Sept 2026
Where Hex stands on Freedom251
- Package Managers#24 of 93
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