Miniforge

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What Miniforge is

Miniforge is a free installer for conda and mamba, tools for working with software environments and packages. It includes both tools and their dependencies, and configures conda-forge as the default and only package channel for the base environment. The conda-forge distribution has thousands of packages. You can create isolated environments with `conda create` or `mamba create`, and install other Python versions in separate environments; the latest installers use Python 3.14 in the base environment.

Installers are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Current builds cover Windows x86_64; macOS x86_64 and arm64; and Linux x86_64, aarch64, and ppc64le. Minimum requirements are Windows 10, macOS 11, or Linux glibc 2.17 or later for the listed Linux architectures. Apple Silicon and Linux RISC-V builds are experimental and have not received the same testing as other platforms. Batch installation instructions support non-interactive use, including CI pipelines. On Windows, conda and mamba commands are available in the Miniforge Prompt by default. Adding Miniforge to PATH is optional and may cause software conflicts. The project identifies Miniforge as BSD 3-Clause licensed.

Who it suits

Miniforge suits people who want conda and mamba for managing packages and isolated environments across Windows, macOS, or Linux. Its batch installation instructions also make it an option for non-interactive setups such as CI pipelines.

What it does well

Includes conda, mamba, and their dependencies.
Uses conda-forge as the base environment’s default and only channel.
Supports isolated environments with conda or mamba.
Installers cover Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Provides batch installation instructions for CI pipelines.

What to know first

Apple Silicon and Linux RISC-V builds are experimental.
Adding Miniforge to Windows PATH may cause software conflicts.
The project does not recommend installation through Homebrew.

Getting started

Open the conda-forge download page.
Choose an installer for Windows, macOS, or Linux and a listed architecture.
Check that the system meets the listed minimum requirements.
On Windows, open the Miniforge Prompt to use conda and mamba.
Create an isolated environment with `conda create` or `mamba create`.
Install another Python version in a separate environment if needed.

Verdict

Choose Miniforge if you want a free conda and mamba installer with conda-forge as the base environment’s package source. Check the experimental-build status for Apple Silicon or Linux RISC-V, and on Windows use the Miniforge Prompt by default because adding Miniforge to PATH may cause conflicts.

Questions

How much does Miniforge cost?

Miniforge is free.

Which operating systems are supported?

Installers are listed for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Current builds cover Windows x86_64; macOS x86_64 and arm64; and Linux x86_64, aarch64, and ppc64le.

Which package channel does it use?

Packages in the base environment come from conda-forge, configured as the default and only channel.

Can I use a Python version other than the one in the base environment?

Yes. The latest installers have Python 3.14 in the base environment, and other Python versions can be installed in separate environments.

What license does Miniforge use?

The repository identifies Miniforge as BSD 3-Clause licensed.

Where can I get help?

The conda-forge documentation directs users with bugs or questions to GitHub issues or the Zulip chatroom.

Facts from Miniforge's own pages

Architecture focus: The project emphasizes support for x86_64, ppc64le, and aarch64 architectures, including Apple Silicon. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Architecture support: The project says it emphasizes support for x86_64, ppc64le, and aarch64 CPU architectures, including Apple Silicon. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Base Python: The project README says the latest installers have Python 3.14 in the base environment and that other Python versions can be installed in separate environments. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
CI testing: The project says installers are tested in CI against a range of Linux distributions matching the installer architecture. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
CI use: The README provides batch installation instructions for non-interactive use, including CI pipelines. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Default package source: Packages in the base environment come from conda-forge, which is configured as the default and only channel. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Environments: Users can create isolated environments with conda or mamba and install packages from conda-forge. · conda-forge.org, 5 Oct 2026
Experimental builds: The README says Apple Silicon and Linux RISC-V builds are experimental and have not received the same testing as other platforms. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Included tools: The installer includes conda, mamba, and their dependencies. · conda-forge.org, 5 Oct 2026
Installation limit: The project does not recommend installing Miniforge through Homebrew because repackaging can cause incompatibilities it does not test. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
License: The repository identifies Miniforge as BSD 3-Clause licensed. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
macOS installer security: The project says its macOS PKG installers are signed and notarized with NumFOCUS certificates. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Minimum requirements: The README lists Windows 10 or later, macOS 11 or later, and Linux glibc 2.17 or later for x86_64, aarch64, and ppc64le installers. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Package availability: The download page says thousands of packages are available in the conda-forge distribution. · conda-forge.org, 4 Oct 2026
Package source: Packages in the base environment come from the conda-forge channel, which is set as the default and only channel. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Platforms: The download page lists installers for Windows x86_64, macOS arm64 and x86_64, and Linux x86_64, aarch64, and ppc64le. · conda-forge.org, 4 Oct 2026
Project scope: The project describes Miniforge as an entry point to the conda and mamba commands and says package-specific issues should be reported to the associated feedstock. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose: Miniforge is a minimal installer for conda and mamba designed for conda-forge. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Signing: The macOS PKG installers are signed and notarized with NumFOCUS certificates. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Support: The conda-forge documentation directs users with bugs or questions to GitHub issues or the Zulip chatroom. · conda-forge.org, 4 Oct 2026
Supported systems: Current installers are listed for Windows x86_64, macOS x86_64 and arm64, and Linux x86_64, aarch64, and ppc64le. · conda-forge.org, 5 Oct 2026
Testing: The README says installers are tested in CI against distributions including CentOS 7, Debian 11–13, and Ubuntu 18.04–24.04. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Windows limitation: The README says Windows commands are available in the Miniforge Prompt by default and warns that adding Miniforge to PATH may cause serious software conflicts. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Windows usage: With the default Windows installer choices, conda and mamba are available in the Miniforge Prompt; adding Miniforge to PATH is optional and is not selected by default due to potential software conflicts. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026

Where Miniforge stands on Freedom251

Python Package Managers#18 of 27