Karate

Free plan Windows

What Karate is

Karate is a free, open-source Windows utility for checking software and driver updates. It scans registry-installed software and detects Microsoft Store and MSIX apps, then matches installed programs against the winget repository package index, which the project says contains more than 13,000 packages. Users can update apps individually or use Update All. Karate uses winget when available and can install from repository manifests with SHA-256 verification otherwise. Driver checks draw on Windows Update, hardware-ID matches in Microsoft Update Catalog, and NVIDIA’s official lookup service. Its Driver Backup & Restore feature uses Windows pnputil to save third-party driver packages and restore them later. The utility checks GitHub releases on launch and can download an update and restart itself. Downloads include a 64-bit MSI installer and a portable executable; both are self-contained and do not require .NET. The stated requirement is Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or Windows 11. The project uses the MIT license. Its release page says the binaries are unsigned, so Windows SmartScreen may warn on first run.

Who it suits

Karate suits Windows users who want to check software and driver updates, including users who prefer a portable executable. It requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or Windows 11.

What it does well

Free and licensed under MIT.
Offers individual and bulk app updates.
Includes driver backup and restore.
Portable 64-bit executable is available.
Update installs can use SHA-256 verification.

What to know first

Windows only.
Unsigned binaries may trigger a SmartScreen warning.

Limits

Karate costs nothing. The listed plan states no paid plans or usage limits; the supported operating systems are Windows only, with Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or Windows 11 required.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Karate	No paid plans or usage limits stated · MIT license	Free

As github.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Karate project on GitHub
Choose the 64-bit MSI installer or portable executable
Run it on Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or Windows 11
Scan installed software and check for app or driver updates
Use Update All for apps or Driver Backup & Restore for third-party driver packages

Verdict

Karate combines software update checks with driver lookup and backup tools in a free Windows utility. Its release binaries are unsigned, and the project notes that SmartScreen may warn on first run.

Questions

Is Karate free?

Yes. The Karate plan is free, and no paid plans or usage limits are stated.

Is Karate open source?

Yes. The project is licensed under MIT.

Which Windows versions does it require?

The listed requirement is Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or Windows 11.

Can Karate update several apps at once?

Yes. Apps can be updated individually or with Update All.

Is there a portable version?

Yes. The project offers a 64-bit portable executable, as well as a 64-bit MSI installer. Both are self-contained and do not require a .NET installation.

Who makes Karate?

The repository identifies Alucard GGhz as the developer.

Facts from Karate's own pages

App scanning: It scans registry-installed software and detects Microsoft Store and MSIX apps. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
App updates: Users can update apps individually or use Update All; Karate uses winget when available and can install from repository manifests with SHA-256 verification otherwise. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Downloads: The project offers an MSI installer and a portable executable, both 64-bit and self-contained with no .NET installation required. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Driver backup: Driver Backup & Restore uses Windows pnputil to snapshot third-party driver packages and restore them later. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Driver channels: Driver checks use Windows Update, Microsoft Update Catalog matched by hardware ID, and NVIDIA’s official lookup service. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Integrations: The named software and driver sources are winget, Microsoft Store/MSIX, Windows Update, Microsoft Update Catalog, NVIDIA, and GitHub Releases. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License and maker: The repository identifies the developer as Alucard GGhz and licenses the project under MIT. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Product: Karate is a Windows software and driver update monitor described as a spiritual successor to SUMo. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Security: The repository says update installs from winget manifests use SHA-256 verification and that driver sources are official Microsoft or hardware-vendor channels. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Self-updater: Karate checks the project’s GitHub releases on launch and can download an update and restart itself. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Signing limitation: The release page says the binaries are unsigned, so Windows SmartScreen may warn on first run. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Support and company details: The opened project pages provide no support policy, company headquarters, or founding date. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
System requirements: The listed requirement is Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or Windows 11. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Update detection: It matches installed apps against the winget repository package index, which the page says contains more than 13,000 packages. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

Where Karate stands on Freedom251

Software Update Tools#6 of 29