Freedom251 › Application Deployment Software
Zero Install
by Zero Install
What Zero Install is
Zero Install is a free, open-source system for running applications without first using a traditional system installer. Developers can publish software on their own websites, and feeds can be hosted on ordinary websites, without requiring a central app catalog. Zero Install resolves dependencies, shares libraries where possible and allows conflicting versions to coexist. It checks for updates automatically, with a configurable check frequency, and verifies package signatures before new software runs.
Users can cache packages without root privileges; caching does not run package code or write to system software directories, and using the system does not affect other users of the computer. Zero Install can use packages installed by a Linux distribution and PackageKit for system packages when a Zero Install package is unavailable. Downloads are offered for Linux, Windows and macOS, while source builds can run on most Unix-like systems. Developer resources include Python, .NET and JSON APIs, and tools for publishing, testing, mirroring and managing feeds. The project began in 2003 and is developed by volunteers around the world.
Who it suits
Zero Install may suit users who want to run applications without a traditional installer and developers publishing software through website-hosted feeds. Its dependency handling and developer tools may also serve people managing software packages across platforms.
What it does well
- Free and open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License
- Packages can be cached without root privileges
- Checks package signatures before new software runs
- Allows conflicting dependency versions to coexist
- Offers Linux, Windows and macOS downloads
What to know first
- Administrators cannot yet restrict which programs users may install
Limits
Administrators cannot yet limit which programs users may install through Zero Install. The plan is free under the LGPL and supports Linux, Windows, and macOS; it has no central app catalog requirement.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Install | LGPL software · Linux, Windows, macOS · no central app catalog requirement | Free |
As 0install.net lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://0install.net/.
- Choose the Linux, Windows, or macOS download.
- Use a software feed hosted on a website to access an application.
- Cache the package; this can be done without root privileges.
- Set the update-check frequency if you want to configure automatic checks.
Verdict
Zero Install offers a cross-platform approach to running and publishing software, with signature checks and dependency management. The project notes that administrators cannot yet limit which programs users may install.
Questions
Is Zero Install free?
Yes. Its plan is free and the software is released under the GNU Lesser General Public License.
Which platforms can I use it on?
Platform downloads are provided for Linux, Windows, and macOS. Source builds can run on most Unix-like operating systems.
Does it require a central app catalog?
No. Developers can publish from their own websites, and feeds can be hosted on any normal website.
How does it handle package safety and updates?
It checks package signatures before new software runs and checks for updates automatically. The update-check frequency can be configured.
Can administrators restrict what users install?
The project says administrators cannot yet limit which programs users may install through Zero Install.
What happens to personal information during normal operation?
The download page says Zero Install contacts servers for tasks such as update checks and does not transmit personal information unless the user specifically requests it.
Facts from Zero Install's own pages
- Available apps
- The project’s apps site lists tools and libraries for ecosystems including Docker, Kubernetes, Python, JavaScript, Java, .NET, Go, Rust, and Ruby. · apps.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- Zero Install resolves dependencies, shares libraries when possible, and allows conflicting versions to coexist. · docs.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Developer tools
- The documentation lists Python, .NET, and JSON APIs, plus tools for publishing, testing, mirroring, and managing feeds. · docs.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2003 · 0install.net, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Zero Install can use packages installed by a Linux distribution and can use PackageKit to install system packages when no Zero Install package is available. · docs.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Notable limits
- The project says administrators cannot yet limit which programs users may install through Zero Install. · docs.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The project describes Zero Install as fully open source and releases it under the GNU Lesser General Public License. · get.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Package distribution
- Developers can publish software directly from their own websites, and feeds can be hosted on any normal website. · docs.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Platform downloads
- The download page provides platform choices for Linux, Windows, and macOS, and says source builds can run on most Unix-like operating systems. · get.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The download page says Zero Install contacts servers during normal operation, such as to check for updates, and does not transmit personal information unless specifically requested by the user. · get.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- Zero Install is a decentralised, cross-platform software installation system that lets users run applications without first installing them through a traditional system installer. · 0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Project history
- The project documentation says Zero Install started in 2003 and is developed by volunteers around the world. · docs.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The project says package signatures are checked before new software runs and caching a package does not run its code or write to system software directories. · 0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs bug reports and feature requests to GitHub Issues and offers a mailing list for questions and suggestions. · 0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Updates
- Zero Install checks for updates automatically, with the check frequency configurable. · docs.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
- User access
- Users can cache packages without root privileges, and installation does not affect other users of the computer. · docs.0install.net, 11 Oct 2026
Where Zero Install stands on Freedom251
- Application Deployment Software#23 of 44
- Package Managers#50 of 93